Discourse on Colonialism is a text by Martinican author, politician, and poet Aime Cesaire published in the 1950s France. Cesaire argues that the true intention of colonial powers in Africa and other colonized territories was not to civilize the native people, but to enslave, pillage, and degrade the native societies to make themselves economically and socially superior. Cesaire states that their intention was purely transactional and the humanitarian efforts were nothing but a front to mask their wicked intentions. He also states that the colonized must realize and desensitize themselves from the colonial ideas that have been forcefully ingrained into their native cultures.
Originally published in French, it was translated by Joan Pinkham to reach the wider western world. Cesaire implements his poetic side to give the essay a more humane personality than an academic analysis. He outright mocks the white race for pretending to care for humanity, when in actuality they only care about their dominance and complete subjugation of other races.
Discourse on Colonialism went on to pioneer more works on colonial atrocities and influence generations of activists who, through their literal contributions, fought for the liberalization and eventual independence of non-western colonies. Cesaire's work further fueled the rise of civil-rights movements in the West that gave birth to revolutionary individuals like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, among many others.
