Colonization and Decolonization

The Colonial process was an amalgamation of many different ideologies that oppressed and stole from indigenous populations and cultures from all over the world. Among these were Capitalism, White Supremacy, scientific reductionism, Eurocentric universalism, religious conversion, and desire for commodities. All of these many threads continue today and wreck havoc in it’s many forms. The suppression, assimilation, and extraction of indigenous knowledge, culture, language, and resources fueled the wealth and technological growth of the colonizer at the direct expense of the colonized. These forces reshaped the world as it was conceptualized as a place to be plundered without consequence. A global caste and class system was meticulously organized to privilege Wealthy European landowners, that has only replicated and evolved to it’s current form. The world is in crisis because of 500 years of European colonialism that worked to subjugate and take from all species on the planet.

Water is the life blood of this planet and it’s peoples. It means transportation, power, connection, diversity, and bread. Every culture has a deep connection to the water, whether it be the river, lake, or ocean. Thus, control of the water is control of life. The mechanistic control of water to suit capitalistic needs over the needs of ordinary people is one manifestation of the disorder of the planet.

The ecological world is on the brink of collapse as a direct response to the ideologies of European imperialism. They have lead to the direct or indirect extermination and extinction of thousands of species, and the sickening of humans. The land, air, and water are so polluted to that we have changed the conditions currently hospitable to life. The result is catastrophic   climate change, that will ensure a mass extinction.

There is no inevitable salvation from the crisis. Yet, there is hope in a remedy against all of the destruction and the poisonous ideologies that drive it. This is an extinction rebellion based on decolonization and self determination. To restore ecological and social harmony to the world ,the diversity of human place-knowledge, culture, perspective, and ability from 1000s of societies must work locally and together in unison. The conformity of thought and culture from the European perspective has oppressed the human and natural world. A just, diverse, and habitable world will come about from the collective effort of all, not just the privileged few.

A religious and spiritual connection to each other and the rest of the world is what makes us uniquely human. True healing and vision can only come these deeper sources of wisdom and understanding that is fundamental to the human spirit. Each culture writing it’s own stories and drawing it’s own connections to food, animals, plants, water, starlight, fire, and the many wonders of this planet. This source of strength and beauty has informed thousands of generations and will mean that humanity will fight against fear and devastation, to restore balance to this world.