the colonial “mother”

by Kiani 1 Comment

the colonial mother protects her chld
from itself/
from itz ego/ n from itz physiology
itz biology
n itz own unhappiness whch is/
itz very essence

(from Frantz Fanon’s ‘On National Culture’ pg. 211)

This quote was emotionally difficult to read– over and over again. It was difficult to parse out its components and to make it dance and to make it move because of the brevity of the trauma it alludes to. The quote describes a total manipulation– of identity, biology, physiology, the ego, and so on. It personifies and personalizes one’s relationship to colonialism. Without apology, this relationship is coded as emotionally, spiritually, and physically abusive. The colonial mother “cares for” her child by stripping the child of its identity and context, and thus its essence. This quote is extremely powerful in its ability to communicate what the relationship is not by listing exactly what is happening inside of it.

Comment ( 1 )

  1. Kim Hall
    Kiani, thanks for such an honest and open response to the readings. It feels, however, that you could have pushed your discussion a bit more. For example, the quote doesn't really "describe" does it? It uses a very powerful metaphor of "mothering" which I think you could open up more. I'm also intrigued by the use of the "z"--was it a way of lessening the emotional impact here? (Also, it would help your reader to see the quote in its prose form in order to get a sense of what a difference you made.) A gentle reminder to make good use of tags!

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