Franz Fanon, a post-colonial thinker and revolutionary born in Martinique, was deeply concerned with understanding the role of violent revolution in the process of decolonization. Drawing on his experiences in Algeria during the struggle against French colonial rule, Fanon developed a theory of revolution that emphasized the necessity of violence in overthrowing colonialism.
Fanon believed that colonial rule is fundamentally rooted in violence, as the colonizing power uses force to maintain control over the conquered. He claimed that the settlers' racist views of the colonized dehumanize them and justify the use of violence as the only means of controlling them. Colonialism imposes on the colonized a worldview and a local cultural understanding as having "color", and mobilizes the local culture as subhuman. As a result, violence becomes a necessity for the colonizer to suppress dissent and maintain order.
Revolution and unity
In the context of a revolution, Fanon argues that violence becomes a powerful tool for mobilizing the oppressed community behind a common goal. Revolutionary violence fosters a sense of unity, as individuals bound together in a common struggle recognize each other, and the future nation becomes indivisible. Violence, in this context, empowers the colonized people and gives them positivity and creativity, fostering the creativity of a new political community.
For Fanon, the success of a revolution depends on the unifying solidarity of the colonized people. Colonialism fosters a common injustice experienced by the oppressed, leading to a mobilizing force that unites them on a national or racial basis. This solidarity creates a common and essential goal for the restoration of their country from the damages of colonialism.
In his analysis of the Algerian revolution, Fanon emphasized the inclusion of all sectors of society, including women and marginalized groups. Women played a crucial role in the revolution and actively participated in the struggle for independence. Fanon claims that the involvement of all members of society in the revolutionary project is essential to an authentic, shared goal and to avoid marginalization and alienation within the group.
Fanon on the uses of violence in revolutions
While Fanon recognizes the necessity of violence for the revolutionary, he warns against using it without a clearly defined goal and vision. Action must be a means to an end, not an end in itself. Revolutionaries must carefully plan the post-revolutionary phase to avoid the perpetuation of oppression and violence. The task of building the nation includes uniting the people, empowering them, and creating a new political reality that upholds respect and inclusion.
One significant challenge lies in restoring positive nationalism after prolonged colonial rule. Fanon points out that colonialism erodes the colonized people's sense of self and identity, making it difficult to restore a positive self-image after liberation. Building a nation must involve restoring dignity and a sense of purpose to building a strong and cohesive society.
Know more:
Summary: Decolonization in Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth
Toward the African Revolution By Frantz Fanon