Colonialism 1

One would save hundreds of thousands or even millions of lives by making certain countries colonies again, for example Nigeria, Syria or Somalia. Sure, colonialism was bad, but what came after is, in some cases, far worse.

Harald Martenstein (27.10.2015): Über Mittel gegen die Ursachen des Flüchtlingsstroms. ZEITmagazin.

Harald Martenstein (born 1953) is a German journalist and author. He has been awarded numerous prizes.

Colonialism has a history as long as its playing down, romanticising and justification for humanitarian ends. In many former colonial powers, e.g. in Europe, North America and Japan, there is little knowledge or awareness of the violent effects of colonial conquest and genocide, partly because colonialism is not part of the school curriculum. As a result, authors like Martenstein can continue to spread stories that promote colonialism as a civilising mission. The term "Maafa" (Swahili for great misfortune) as used by Marimba Anis is intended as a replacement of the trivial term "colonialism". Maulana Karenga also brought the term African Holocaust into the discussion, since Maafa can also be translated as "accident" and thus does not imply intention.

*David Spurr (1993): The Rhetoric of Empire. Colonial Discourse in Journalism, Travel Writing and Imperial Administration. Durham & London: Duke University Press.

2015