This blog is written as a response to a task assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad, Department of English MKBU. In this blog there is discussion on postcolonial studies. There are five articles and I try to elaborate it in my words and give related examples.
In the first article there is a discussion on the relationship between globalisation and postcolonial studies, in the reference of the 9/11 attack. In the discussion of the post theories the new lens that scholars have to use is how power dynamics works globally. At global level what countries are controlling various global matters and also interfere in the same. The 9/11 phenomena gives us an insight that after the attack how America has declared war against the Terror attack. That was being done in Afghanistan earlier but when the attack directly came to America that fighting with then terrorism became global rather than a dispute among a few nations. In the new empire America has risen and that is now described as the New American Empire.
Hardt and Negri have pointed out that now to build an Empire one has not to go to any geographical location and win it over but it happens in new dynamics. In understanding the current situation the older post colonial ideas may fail, because it sees the things in margin and centre, Bit in modern world the time and power dynamics changed now the colonisers do not have to go to any territory for profit or exploitation, it happens through the globalisation and multinational companies that try makes the most of the decisions world wide. In this example the Reliance company can be identified that gives free internet and calling at first that removes the other companies to do business now that companies that remain are trying to take prizes of internet and calling what they want. BSNL, a government company that was doing great at the beginning , is losing its customers due to the rise of privatization.
P. Sainath Has observed that market Fundamentalism is more dangerous than religious fundamentalism because it does not have any boundary; it is an ever growing giant that will swallow everything in its way. “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” novel by Mohsin Hamid, also talks on the same idea about how the multinational companies exploit the common man.
The globalisation is seen as a fourth Industrial revolution which is growing faster than any other revolution has ever grown, and that cause so many problems which are; In the mass production the raw material would required at a great extent and now companies have the bigger machinery the work can be done in lesser time there rise the concern about the exploiting the ecology and causing pollution at greater extent. This also affect the governing bodies of any region because the more money would be in the hand of the owner of multinational companies the politics of the day will also be affected by that. There is more inequality in the society because the owner of the company will have more profit then any other worker that works more hours in particular company.
Noam Chomsky gives the name of ‘private tyrannies’ , the corporations that control the common people and the world and try to make profit out of their surroundings. The whole market is based on gain and loss. There is no position of equality and consideration about the people. There is a discussion about the Universities in an article in which shows America where the students are failing to elaborate the issue.
Contemporary postcolonial fiction provides a critical lens to examine the destructive consequences of globalization. Through themes like resistance, hybridity, and identity crisis, authors from postcolonial backgrounds show the disruptions and transformations brought about by globalization.
In many postcolonial authors' writing there is a criticism of globalization by focusing on how it gives new forms of colonialism. Through multinational corporations and economic policies that control the Global South. In Arundhati Roy's “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness”, characters fight against the forces of globalization, which can be seen in political upheaval, displacements, and economic exploitation. Roy shows the displacement of exploited communities and reveals how global economic forces often exploit local populations.
Through globalization cultural and national boundaries, led hybrid identities. Postcolonial authors like Aravind Adiga in “The White Tiger” depict characters who embody this hybridity. Balram Halwai is a complex character of a rapidly changing India, where traditional and global forces interfere. His rise from poverty to success, is done by ethical compromises, shows the moral dilemma connected with a globalized, capitalist economy.
In many writings, the authors portray how globalization creates identity crises for individuals who are stuck between local traditions and global modernity. This crisis can be seen in works like Don DeLillo’s “Cosmopolis”, where the protagonist, Eric Packer fights with the alienating effects of global capitalism. DeLillo does not belong to a postcolonial background but his exploration of alienation is connected with postcolonial and about the bad effects of globalization. In 'Midnight's Children' Salman Rushdie portrays the character of Saleem who is hybrid in nature, whose identity can not be identified as one but he belongs to various culture.
When these authors write in their geographic and cultural contexts, they highlight how globalization is a cause of inequality, it challenges local identities, and shows both resistance and adaptation.
Postcolonial studies and environmental concerns come together when we look at how colonialism has harmed both people and nature, especially in the context of the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is the current era, where human activity is significantly impacting the planet's climate and ecosystems.
Colonialism often led to the exploitation of both people and natural resources. Colonizers which are now the multinational companies have used the land, extracting valuable resources while leaving the environment damaged. The environmental problems that are rising, like deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity, are direct results of this exploitation.
Usage of mass usage of minerals and natural resources affected climate change and environmental degradation for several reasons. They are dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods, like farming and fishing. When the environment is harmed, their way of life is deeply impacted. Many of these regions have very few resources to respond to climate disasters like floods, droughts, or rising sea levels. Their governments, which may still struggle with the legacy of colonialism, lack the infrastructure to protect their citizens from these crises.
In films like “The Salt of the Earth”(2014), we see real-world examples of how environmental destruction affects vulnerable communities, particularly in the Global South. This film documents the environmental devastation in Brazil, including deforestation and mining, which have caused irreparable harm to local communities and ecosystems. Documentary like “Anthropocene: The Human Epoch”(2018) also talked about the harm that is being done to the environment and ecosystem.
Movies like 'Sherni' directed by Amit V. Masurkar , shows the environmental concerns and animal life. 'Avatar'(2009) movie by James Cameron also talks about how for minerals people exploit even the other planets.
Hollywood movies, especially action movies like Rambo and James Bond, have played a big role in shaping how people in the world view America. These films show the U.S. as a hero, fighting for freedom and democracy against evil forces. This helps create a positive image of America as a powerful, just, and necessary global leader.
These movies project American dominance in several ways. They often portray U.S. military and intelligence agencies as extremely capable and morally right. American characters are frequently shown as saviors, helping people in other countries who can't help themselves. The films also spread American values and ways of thinking, making them seem normal and desirable to audiences worldwide.
These narratives can be criticized from a postcolonial perspective. They often simplify complex global issues into simple "good vs. evil" stories, with America always being the good guy. This can give fire to old colonial attitudes, making other cultures look weak or backward. The films may also justify American intervention in other countries, supporting the idea that the U.S. has the right to act as a global problem solver.
Critics argue that this approach by Hollywood marginalizes other perspectives and cultures. It can make American dominance seem natural and good, without questioning if this is fair or right. Some critics suggest that instead of copying this approach, other film industries should challenge these dominant narratives. They could tell stories that show different viewpoints and question the idea of any one country being the world's leader.
The film RRR takes the stories of tribal heroes Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem and reimagines them as part of a broader fight against British colonial rule. While this makes for an exciting movie, it changes the real history in important ways.
In reality, Raju and Bheem fought for very specific local issues - protecting tribal rights to forests, land, and water. The movie turns this into a bigger story about Indian nationalism and fighting the British. By doing this, it misses the chance to talk about problems that tribal communities still face today, like losing their lands and damage to the environment.
This kind of reimagining can have both positive and negative effects on modern struggles:
On the positive side, it brings attention to tribal heroes and resistance, which are often not seen by mainstream Indian history. It can make more people aware of tribal issues and create pride in tribal heritage.
It can also oversimplify complex histories and current problems. By focusing on fighting the British, the movie doesn't address ongoing issues like displacement of tribal people or destruction of forests. These are still big problems today, but caused by Indian governments and companies, not foreign rulers.
Other movies have done similar things with indigenous heroes. For example, many Hollywood westerns turned Native American leaders into simple "noble savages" fighting the U.S. government, ignoring the real reasons for their resistance.
In India, many films about historical figures focus on their fight against the British, rather than local issues or social reform. This can make these heroes seem less relevant to modern problems.
Words:1588
References:
Barad, Dilip. “GLOBALIZATION AND FICTION: EXPLORING POSTCOLONIAL CRITIQUE AND LITERARY REPRESENTATIONS.” ResearchGate, Oct. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/376371617. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Barad, Dilip. “GLOBALIZATION AND THE FUTURE OF POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES.” ResearchGate, Oct. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/376374570. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Barad, Dilip. “POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES IN THE ANTHROPOCENE: BRIDGING PERSPECTIVES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.” ResearchGate, Oct. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/376374708. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Barad, Dilip. “Reimagining Resistance: The Appropriation of Tribal Heroes in Rajamouli’s RRR.” ResearchGate, Oct. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/383603395. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Dilip. “Heroes or Hegemons? The Celluloid Empire of Rambo and Bond in America’s Geopolitical Narrative.” ResearchGate, Oct. 2022, www.researchgate.net/publication/383415195. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
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