It’s All Spicy: Contextualizing the impact of colonialism

I can’t help it. It’s who I am. It’s how I make sense of the world around me—I create acronyms. So, for this blog post, I’m using one for the word SPICY because my experience in India was profoundly SPICY! However, spiciness isn’t just about taste. It embodies layers of experiences – beneficial for increasing metabolism and flavor (TNN / Updated: Apr 12, 2018), but potentially harmful for sensitive stomachs like mine.

So, here’s my acronym to frame my reflections during our India trip:

It was Sacred, Proof, Intersectional, Complex, & Yesterday.

As a Black woman from the African Diaspora, I am aware that the word “post” does not signify the end of the colonial era. This understanding was one of the main motivations for my journey.

Colonization left a deep scar, from the scramble for Africa during the Berlin conference to India’s partition, masked by globalization’s supposed benefits (Moore, 2016). Our trip to Mumbai, Agra, and New Delhi provided undeniable evidence that many social inequalities are rooted in a colonial mentality. From a fanonian perspective, the psychological distortion caused by oppression and the internalization of colonial ideologies (Fanon, 1986) that exacerbated the caste system were deeply entrenched and vividly confirmed.

However, the interactions with my colleagues, students and professors at TISSCollage of India university revealed a very different narrative-one of learning, collaboration, and commitment to social justice. There were notable disparities in resources among schools, but the undiminished spirit and cultural vibrancy of the communities engaged, were strong. TISS, especially insightful souls I encountered, made me appreciate the seemingly insignificant things I had taken for granted- like the privilege to be me. My gratitude for this global exploration was also deepened by them.

So why SPICY? Aside from the literal spiciness of the food, which I used to enjoy like my colleagues who tested every level of spice, I had food that had healing properties. It’s why the acronym reflects my journey in a myriad of ways. From the tours, visiting rescued elephants to the historical sites, this journey was a Sacred immersion into the culture. It cultivated and deepened connections with colleagues, finally meeting a few of my cohort in person, gaining a deeper appreciation for my professor, and experiencing healing in the community– Shout out to the 405 Healing Lounge, thank you. Proof of humanity’s enduring strength despite colonial impacts. Intersectionality in the diversity of languages and the Complexity of the caste/class/colonial system. And Yesterday, acknowledging how the past shapes our present and future, offering lessons and reflections that extend beyond the temporal boundary of this trip.

Side by side pictures of Indian food

My SPICY takeaways (besides the delicious cuisine and Mango lassi) are:

Sacred spaces, hearts and storytelling in India, where I was welcomed and nurtured, walking where Gandhi spent his last moments, the restorative ways inherent, the land and people encountered was a sacred experience. Thank you, Dr. K for leading us on this sacred journey.

Proof of the genuine care and excellence among TISS professors and students, and the joy of learning from my classmates and the joy seen among the students who shared their smiles, waves, high fives and artistic expressions with us.

Intersectional identities are beautiful. Intersectional healing is needed. 

Complexities within caste/class/colonial systems that do not deter learning across diverse environments and navigating food choices were complex too!

Yesterday, reminding us that our past actions, words, or silences, have a profound impact on our today and tomorrow, shaping the legacy we leave behind.

This trip has left me with a powerful internal message: the “post” in postcolonialism is not truly post, and that humanity is worth fighting for. It is why I’m using a postcolonial critique to examine the misappropriation of restorative justice discourse (RJD) in higher education. The words we use shapes our world. I did leave India holding hope for humanity, how community knowledge was amplified and grace for those who have yet to embrace their own humanity.

I invite you to reflect on your understandings, how you’ve come to them, and the meaningful lessons you can carry forward.

Reflecting on my SPICY journey has opened my eyes to the many layers of understanding and meaning making. What are your SPICY insights on the impact of colonialism, cultural diversity, or social justice in your own life or observations? How do these insights connect with my acronym– Sacred, Proof, Intersectional, Complex, and Yesterday?

 

References: 

Fanon, F. (1986). Black Skin, White Masks. Pluto Press.

Moore, M. (2016). ‘justice and colonialism.’ Philosophy Compass, 11(8), 447–461. https://doi.org/10.1111/phc3.12337

TNN / Updated: Apr 12. (2018, April 12). 8 herbs that can give your weight loss plan a boost – Times of India. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/weight-loss/8-herbs-that-can-give-your-weight-loss-plan-a-boost/articleshow/63730601.cms

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*