Césaire's Revolution of Pedagogy

Abstract

Just as Césaire called for revolutionary practices that would put an end to colonization, its corrupt institutions, and its dehumanizing policies, his words still speak truth to a world marred by neocolonialism and rampant inequalities. His call for revolution continues to challenge us to create "a humanism made to the measure of the world." In this essay, I turn to his Discourse on Colonialism and suggest that his critique can still be useful for the twenty-first century. First, I provide an account of Césaire's diagnosis of the brutality of colonialism. Second, I consider the role of public intellectual. I argue that the self-determination of colonized peoples, dialogue, and radical change of institutions are necessary ingredients for forming a nonmanichaean humanity.