Anticolonial Eruptions

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This incisive study reveals the fundamental, paradoxical weakness of colonialism and the enduring power of anticolonial resistance. Resistance is often unexpected, particularly when it arises from the colonized, enslaved, and marginalized. Anticolonial revolts and slave rebellions are frequently labeled by those in power as “eruptions”—surprising shocks to a system that fails to anticipate them. The author diagnoses a paradoxical weakness embedded in the foundations of white supremacist power, which becomes more pronounced as domination appears more complete. The argument posits that the colonizer’s weakness stems from dehumanization; when the oppressed rise up with human demands for life and liberation, the powerful are caught off guard. This colonial blind spot suggests that the more oppressive the colonial power, the more the colonized are deemed lesser, creating greater opportunities for resistance. The author refers to this as the cunning of decolonization, where the balance of power shifts unexpectedly. As colonial power presents itself as unshakeable, this blind spot offers strategic cover for revolutionary potential. The study demonstrates that this fundamental weakness of colonialism is a permanent feature of the system, fostering optimism amid contemporary global struggles for liberation.