Articles on Postcolonial Studies
Greetings,
This blog is all about the thinking activities on Postcolonial Studies , where we dive into two important texts by Ania Loomba: "Globalization and the Future of Postcolonial Studies" and "Future of Postcolonial Studies." These readings are part of our course, which Dr.Dilip Barad Sir assigned to us.
Heroes or Hegemons? The Celluloid Empire of Rambo and Bond in America's Geopolitical Narrative
Throughout history, the 'Rambo' and 'James Bond' movies have been used as powerful ways to spread Western ideas, especially during the Cold War and globalization. Hollywood has used these films to influence how people around the world view the United States, particularly its military, values, and ideologies, while subtly promoting US foreign policy.
For example, Rambo: First Blood Part II offers a different take on the Vietnam War, showing the US not as a defeated country but as one looking for redemption. The film portrays America as the hero, fighting against non-Western enemies, which fits with the fears and concerns of the Cold War era. Similarly, Rambo 3 takes this idea to Afghanistan, where Rambo helps the Mujahideen fight against the Soviets. The movie shows America as a global liberator, standing up against communism, mirroring the real-life US support for Afghan rebels in the 1980s.
Even though James Bond is a British series, it also supports Western geopolitical goals. Movies like The Living Daylights (1987), Licence to Kill (1989), and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) show Bond as a protector of freedom, democracy, and human rights. Through their huge international reach, these films promote a pro-Western worldview, reinforcing American and Western values. The success of these movies keeps US influence strong in the global entertainment industry and pushes a Western-centered narrative.
However, not everyone agrees with these perspectives. Other film industries, like Bollywood, have the chance to challenge these dominant views, offering more diverse stories. By questioning the usual narratives, non-Western movies can contribute to a more balanced and inclusive global conversation.
Reimagining Resistance: The Appropriation of Tribal Heroes in Rajamouli's RRR
In 'RRR', Komaram Bheem, a tribal leader from the Gond community, is shown as a larger-than-life hero on a mission to save a kidnapped tribal girl from the British. In reality, though, Bheem’s actual fight was about defending tribal rights, but the movie makes it part of a bigger nationalist struggle against colonialism. While this makes the story grander, it takes the focus away from the real issues Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju stood for.
Both Raju and Bheem are remembered for resisting oppressive governments that took away the rights of indigenous people. Raju’s fight was against the British, especially after the Madras Forest Act of 1882, which made it hard for Adivasis to use their traditional forests. Bheem, on the other hand, led a movement against the Nizam of Hyderabad, and his slogan "Jal, Jangal, Zameen" (Water, Forest, Land) summed up the struggle to protect natural resources crucial to their communities.
Indigenous people are often the first to suffer from climate change, as their lands are destroyed, forcing them to relocate. They usually manage their land in a sustainable way, so losing it not only affects their homes and culture but also harms the environment. Nowadays, it's not just foreign rulers, but big corporations that are causing this destruction. Raju and Bheem weren’t just fighting against oppressive rulers but also against the forces of displacement and environmental damage—problems that still affect indigenous communities today. Their battle was about protecting their people and their land from exploitation, and this remains relevant even now.
By focusing mostly on the nationalist side of the story, 'RRR' misses the chance to dive into the real issues like land, water, and forest rights, which are still important for indigenous groups today. Making their fight all about anti-colonialism simplifies the bigger picture and makes us forget how much their struggles matter in the ongoing fight for environmental and indigenous rights.
POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES IN THE ANTHROPOCENE: BRIDGING PERSPECTIVES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
People in the Global South, especially those from formerly colonized regions, are hit hardest by environmental degradation and climate change. Colonization left behind a legacy of resource extraction, which caused massive deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disrupted ecosystems, making these areas even more vulnerable today. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak suggests that postcolonial studies need to evolve to tackle modern-day issues, with her comment "postcolonial is the day before yesterday" reflecting the belief that the field needs to address more contemporary challenges.
Vandana Shiva, a well-known environmental activist, points out the close ties between colonialism and environmental destruction. She argues that what began during colonial times—like the exploitation of natural resources—has been worsened by global capitalism and big corporations. Some scholars agree with Shiva that pre-colonial societies were more in tune with nature, while others argue that they still dealt with patriarchy and inequality. However, it’s clear that we can’t separate environmental issues from cultural and social contexts, especially in the Global South, where protecting the environment has to go hand in hand with addressing the needs of people and communities.
This shift in how postcolonial studies view environmental issues is important because it shows how these countries are still left out of global environmental discussions. For instance, in the movie 'The Constant Gardener' (2005), the story highlights how multinational companies care more about profits than sustainability. This leads to environmental destruction in postcolonial regions, pushing these areas to the edges of global politics while continuing the exploitation that started with colonization.
GLOBALIZATION AND FICTION: EXPLORING POSTCOLONIAL CRITIQUE AND LITERARY REPRESENTATIONS
Globalization is often explored in contemporary literature as something that complicates identity, culture, and economic power, and many postcolonial authors analyze it through a critical lens. Writers like Arundhati Roy in 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' and Aravind Adiga in 'The White Tiger' tell stories of characters dealing with the big social and economic changes that come with globalization, focusing on themes of resistance, hybridity, and identity struggles.
In 'The White Tiger', Adiga’s main character, Balram Halwai, climbs the ranks of India’s new economic system but also shows the inequality and corruption that come with global capitalism. His journey reflects the costs of development, where people are often forced into morally questionable situations just to survive. Similarly, Roy’s 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' takes a look at how globalization affects marginalized people in India, blending stories of their resistance and survival. She focuses on characters who are pushed aside by the global economy, like Kashmiri separatists or those displaced by development, and how they fight back, even in small ways.
Both authors highlight the conflict between global influences and traditional identities, which often leads to characters struggling with hybrid or fractured identities. The characters in these books try to fit into new economic and social realities but are also torn between adapting and sticking to their traditional values, causing personal and societal tensions.
These themes of exploitation, inequality, and resistance in a globalized world also come up in movies like 'The Constant Gardener' (2005), directed by Fernando Meirelles. The film focuses on how multinational companies put profits before people, especially in postcolonial countries. It highlights how global corporations exploit vulnerable communities, similar to how globalization impacts the Global South in the books mentioned.
Overall, both literature and film show how globalization creates tension between local identities and global forces. They often depict how marginalized groups navigate and push back against these pressures in their struggle for justice and survival. Characters like Balram, those in Roy’s stories, and the ones in 'The Constant Gardener' bring attention to the unfairness built into global systems and the ongoing fight for independence in postcolonial societies.
GLOBALIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES
Postcolonialism used to be all about hating the British and everything they represented, especially during the time when India and other countries were colonized. This view was pretty common in many places that faced colonial rule. But after the 9/11 attacks, the idea of postcolonialism changed to fit the new global situation.
Scholars like Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri talk about this in their book 'Empire', arguing that how control and power work today is really different from the old-school imperialism. After 9/11, the U.S. became a major global power, and its military actions in the Middle East showed that modern empires still have that colonial vibe, even if it looks different. Ania Loomba points out that the so-called "New American Empire" and the war on terror complicate our understanding of the world as just postcolonial. There are still issues of power, resistance, and new forms of control happening everywhere.
These days, countries like the U.S. and England don’t rely on traditional colonial tactics to keep influence. Instead, they use multinational corporations that operate across borders, often taking advantage of workers in developing countries. This new type of dominance is what critics like Joseph Stiglitz call "Market Fundamentalism." It’s a strict and harmful ideology that goes beyond national borders and deepens inequality.
Now, with Globalization 4.0 and technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) changing everything, postcolonial studies need to adapt. The fourth industrial revolution might bring progress, but it also raises serious concerns about worker exploitation. As automation and AI reshape industries, it’s crucial to look at how global companies are still taking advantage of labor, often without fair pay or decent working conditions. We need a critical postcolonial perspective to make sure that new technologies don’t lead to fresh forms of colonialism or create even bigger inequalities.
So, in this modern age, postcolonial studies should expand to include these global issues. Even though traditional colonies are gone, the effects of colonialism are still here. The ongoing influence of developed countries through global capitalism and tech dominance continues to shape the lives of postcolonial societies. A modern postcolonial viewpoint is really important to tackle the challenges of today’s global landscape and keep justice and equality at the forefront of progress.
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