Anti racism Quote by Harsha Walia
““Decolonization is the process whereby we intend the conditions we want to live and social relations we wish to have. We have to supplant the colonial logic of the state itself. German philosopher Gustav Landauer wrote almost a hundred years ago that "the State is a condition, a certain relationship between human beings, a mode of behaviour; we destroy it by contracting other relationships." Decolonization requires us to exercise our sovereignties differently, and reconfigure our communities based on shared experiences, ideals, and visions. Almost all indigenous formulations of sovereignty--such as the Two Row Wampum agreement of peace, friendship, and respect between the Haudenosaunee nations and settlers--are premised on revolutionary notions of respectful coexistence and stewardship of the land, which goes far beyond any Western liberal democratic ideal. Original blog post: Unsettling America: Decolonization in Theory and Practice. Quoted In: Decolonize Together: Moving beyond a Politics of Solidarity toward a Practice of Decolonization. Taking Sides.””
About This Quote
Source Blog post: Unsettling America: Decolonization in Theory and Practice, 2021
Decolonization means redefining power structures, building relationships beyond state control, and honoring indigenous stewardship.
In simple terms: Redefine power, honor shared stewardship.
Key Takeaway
Build community based on mutual respect.
Themes
decolonization
sovereignty
community
indigenous rights
Mood
critical
hopeful
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- education
- land management
- community building
Key Concepts
political theory
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- What relationships can you reconfigure for equity?
- How can you support indigenous stewardship?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched systems is complex and slow.
