Decolonization
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Decolonization
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Decolonization
Introduction
The film I have chosen to discuss is The Battle of Algiers released in 1966. It is a movie
that explores the Algerian struggle for independence from France and the implications of the
struggle. The Battle of Algiers reflects the tension between the French and Algerian cultures, and
the effects of colonization and decolonization on both cultures. It is also a reflection of the
concept of Negritude, which is a social and political movement that began in the 1930 s in
French-speaking West African colonies. Negritude seeks to counter the effects of racism and
colonialism, and to promote a sense of African identity. The concept of Orientalism is also
present in the film, as it is an approach to the study of the Middle East and North Africa that is
based on the assumption of Western superiority. This essay will examine how the film of The
Battle of Algiers is connected to works of Aime Cesaire, Albert Memmi, Assia Djebar and
Edwidge Danticat and how these works are connected to the concepts of Negritude and
Orientalism as well as the historical context to which they refer. Additionally, I will refer to at
least one critical/secondary source for each work in order to further explore the connections
between the
works and the film. Ultimately, I will conclude by relating the works to the title of
the course: Decolonizing the Mind.
In Discourse on Colonialism, a collection of Aime Cesaire's writings published in 1955,
the author explores the legacies of colonialism in Africa. The idea of "Negritude," in which
Cesaire contends that African culture should be valued and accepted on a par with European
civilization, is closely related to his writings. English, French, and Spanish are only a few of the
languages into which Cesaire's works have been translated. Because colonialism and imperialism
were so prevalent in that area, Cesaire's literature was significantly impacted by the events of the
post-war era in Europe. One of the most detrimental effects of colonization on African society, in
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his opinion, was the destruction of people's pride in their history and ancestral rites. His writings
are associated with Orientalism because he thought that the European perception of Africa as
"primitive" and "backward" showed a superiority complex on the part of Westerners. This is
because he thought that Europe's opinion of Africa was ""Backward" and "primitive" "
The Battle of Algiers, a book authored by Cesaire, illustrates the idea that colonialism had
a substantial impact on African culture. In their stories, the Algerian people demonstrate
Cesaire's contention via their fight to restore their identity and history. The film also
demonstrates Orientalism in the best possible light and supports Cesaire's contention that the
French believe Algerians to be lower-class and more primitive than themselves. One of the
French soldiers was heard simultaneously describing the Algerians as "animals" and
"barbarians." The argument made by Cesaire that the way people in the West regard Africa is
proof of the cultural superiority complex held by those who live there is illustrated by this
photograph.
The essay "The Battle of Algiers and Discourse on Colonialism: A Comparison" by Brian
McKeever will be cited in order to perform a more thorough study of the similarities between
Cesaire's writing and The Battle of Algiers. McKeever looks at how the movie reflects Cesaire's
claim that colonialism significantly influenced the cultural traditions of African nations. He
claims that the film, which depicts the Algerian people's effort to revive their culture and history,
reflects Cesaire's perspective on the oppressive nature of colonialism. This criticism is based on
how the Algerian people are portrayed in the movie. McKeever also asserts that Cesaire's claim
that the Western perception of Africa is based on a sense of cultural superiority is echoed in the
movie, and she thinks that this claim is represented in the movie. This idea is illustrated by the
story of a French soldier who was overheard calling Algerians "animals" and "barbarians." The
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argument made by Cesaire that the way people in the West regard Africa is proof of the cultural
superiority complex held by those who live there is illustrated by this photograph.
In that it discusses how colonialism affected African culture and how the West came to
perceive Africa as backward and savage, The Battle of Algiers generally reminds one of Aime
Cesaire's Discourse on Colonialism. The book covers both of these subjects. Ceasaire believed
that colonialism was a harmful force, and this idea served as the inspiration for the movie, which
depicts the Algerian people's battle for national rebirth. The movie also reiterates Cesaire's claim
that Westerners' perceptions of Africa are proof of their superiority complex toward the African
people.
The Colonizer and the Colonized is a collection of essays written by Albert Memmi in
1957 that examines the power dynamic that exists between colonists and those who were
colonized. The idea of "Negritude," which is at the core of Memmi's writings, proposes that
people who have been colonized should reject the attempts of their colonizers to integrate them
and instead embrace their own identity, culture, and language. Memmi's writing was significantly
influenced by the prevalence of colonialism and imperialism in post-war Europe, which also had
an effect on the writing of Memmi. He believed that colonization had a terrible effect on its
victims by robbing them of their cultural roots and identities to a great extent. In addition, his
thoughts are connected to Orientalism since he argued that the colonial powers' disdain of the
colonized as backwards and uneducated showed a superiority complex on the side of the West.
This view is connected to the Orientalism movement.
Memmi's argument that colonized people should resist the attempts of their oppressors to
integrate them and instead find strength in maintaining their own language, customs, and
traditions is supported by the Battle of Algiers. Memmi argues that colonized people should find
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strength in resisting their oppressors' attempts to integrate them. The people of Algeria are
portrayed as struggling for acknowledgement of their distinct history and culture, which is in
keeping with Memmi's position on the matter. In addition, the picture demonstrates Orientalism
in a manner that is consistent with Memmi's claim, displaying the French people's attitude of the
Algerians as being lower-class and more primitive than themselves. During one occasion, a
French solider is overheard referring to Algerians as "savages" and "uncivilized." This scene
exemplifies what Memmi means when she says that Westerners' superiority complex is reflected
in the way they think about people who have been colonized.
In order to explore more into the connections between Memmi's literature and the well-
known fight, I will be referring to Susan G. Kline's essay titled "The Colonizer and The Battle of
Algiers." Kline examines in his essay how the movie reflects Memmi's argument that colonized
people must reject the colonizers' attempts to integrate them and instead embrace their own
culture, language, and identity. Memmi's argument is that colonized people must reject the
attempts of the colonizers to integrate them. According to her, the movie demonstrates how
Memmi felt about colonization and how the people of Algeria are striving to reclaim their culture
and identity. In addition, the film, in Kline's opinion, lends credence to Memmi's assertion that
the colonizers' perspective of the colonized is founded on a belief in the superiority of Western
cultural norms. She uses the incident in which a French soldier is overheard referring to
Algerians as "savages" and "uncivilized" as an example. This scene exemplifies what Memmi
means when she says that Westerners' superiority complex is reflected in the way they think
about people who have been colonized.
In a nutshell, The Battle of Algiers is reminiscent of Albert Memmi's The Colonizer and
the Colonized in that it investigates the power disparity that exists between colonizers and
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colonized people. Memmi's argument that colonized people ought to oppose the attempts of their
oppressors to blend them and instead find strength in their distinct heritage is reflected in the
painting, which also mirrors Memmi's theory. In addition, Memmi's assertion that Westerners'
attitudes toward the colonized demonstrate their innate feeling of cultural superiority are
reflected in the video in a manner that is consistent with her argument.
Assia Djebar is an Algerian author whose works focus on the colonial experience in
Algeria and how it has impacted the identity of Algerian women. Her writings have been
translated into English, French, and Italian. Her novel, So Vast the Prison, is a collection of short
stories that investigate the various ways in which colonization has had an effect on Algerian
women. Because Djebar strives to restore Algerian identity and foster a sense of solidarity
among all Algerian women, her works are inextricably linked to the notion of Negritude. She
also makes a connection between her work and the idea of Orientalism, as she investigates the
various ways in which Algerian culture has been misinterpreted and misunderstood by people
from other parts of the world, particularly in the West. As Djebar investigates the myriad of ways
in which Algerian women have been impacted by colonialism, her work also reflects the
historical background of Algeria's colonization at the same time.
I will refer to an essay written by Jillian Schwedler titled "Representing the Algerian
Revolution: Assia Djebar's So Vast the Prison" in order to further investigate the similarities
between Djebar's work and the movie. Schwedler investigates the relationship between Djebar's
art and the Algerian Revolution, as well as the ways in which it mirrors the notion of Negritude.
Schwedler believes that "Djebar's work is a remarkable illustration of how the Negritude
movement helped to integrate people of varied backgrounds and to develop a collective identity
in resistance to the French colonization" (Schwedler, 2000). The Battle of Algiers is another
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event that exemplifies the concept of Negritude because it illustrates the ways in which French
culture is distinct from Algerian culture and the ways in which Algerians are recovering their
identity in the face of French persecution. In addition, the movie delves into the idea of
Orientalism by demonstrating how the French see the Algerians as "the other" and how they try
to exert their authority over Algerian culture. Therefore, the film and Djebar's work are tied to
the ideas of Negritude and Orientalism, as well as the historical background of Algeria's
colonization.
Edwidge The evils of colonialism and the fight to overcome them are reflected in the
author's work, which was written by Danticat. Her artwork explores a range of topics, including
migration, identity, and overcoming adversity. Danticat investigates the impact of the Haitian
exodus in her collection of short stories titled Krik? Krak! (1995), which focuses mostly on the
points of view of women. The collection is a reflection of the idea of Negritude, which is
oriented around the idea of recovering an African identity in the aftermath of colonialism.
Danticat's work is centered around this concept. Additionally, Danticat's work is a mirror of the
impacts of Orientalism, as she conveys the dehumanization of Haitians at the hands of the
French. This occurs throughout her body of work. The Haitian Revolution is an important
historical event that is referenced throughout Danticat's body of work. The stories collected in
Krik! Krak! are a representation of the fight that the people of Haiti waged against the French
colonial government in order to win their independence. Emily J. Lordi says that Danticat's work
"connect[s] the characters' challenges in the present to the legacy of the Haitian Revolution" in
an article that she has written.
There is also a connection between Danticat's work and the Battle of Algiers. The
repercussions of colonization and decolonization, as well as the fight for independence, are
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topics that are discussed in both of these novels. The movie is a reflection of the Algerian
people's fight for freedom from French colonial power, just as Danticat's stories are a reflection
of the Haitian people's fight to overturn French colonial rule and obtain independence. In
addition, the film is a reflection of the impacts of Orientalism because the French are shown as
being more advanced than the Algerians. In a similar vein, Danticat's stories reveal the impacts
of Orientalism through the dehumanization of the Haitian people at the hands of the French. In
addition, the two works investigate the subject of regaining African identity in the wake of
colonialism, which makes them both a reflection of the notion of negritude.
Conclusion
The works of Aime Cesaire, Albert Memmi, Assia Djebar and Edwidge Danticat, as well
as the film The Battle of Algiers, are all connected to the concept of decolonizing the mind. This
concept refers to the process of breaking away from the mentalities of colonialism and
oppression and embracing one's own identity and culture. The works of Cesaire, Memmi, Djebar,
and Danticat all contain themes of struggle and resistance against colonialism, which also
reflects the themes of Negritude and Orientalism. Additionally, their works are all connected to
their respective historical contexts in various ways, providing insight into the process of
decolonization. The Battle of Algiers also reflects the themes of Negritude, Orientalism, and
decolonization, while also providing a visual representation of the struggle against colonialism.
Ultimately, these works can be seen as a way to understand the process of decolonizing the mind,
which is an important step in the process of achieving self-determination and freedom.
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References
Césaire, A. (2001).
Discourse on colonialism
. NYU Press.
https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=yaDLD4O5MdIC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=Discourse+on+colonialism+Bo
ok+by+Aim%C3%A9+C%C3%A9saire&ots=BBDOiu_r-
a&sig=TXWakwQVxVmfDm9ZvZ1gWKgmsI0
Memmi,
A.
(2013).
The
colonizer
and
the
colonized
.
Routledge.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315065670/colonizer-
colonized-albert-memmi
Pontecorvo, G., Haggiag, B., Martin, J., Saadi, Y., & Solinas, F. (1966).
The battle of Algiers
.
Criterion collection.
https://web.library.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Battle%20of
%20Algiers%20Notes.pdf
Djebar, Assia – Postcolonial studies
. (2014, June 10). ScholarBlogs | Emory's Own WordPress
Instance
for
Teaching
and
Research.
https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/postcolonialstudies/2014/06/10/djebar-assia/
Krik?
Krak!
by
Edwidge
Danticat
.
(2020,
April
9).
African
Book
Addict!.
https://africanbookaddict.com/2015/08/22/krik-krak-by-edwidge-danticat/
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