Africa Quote by Jean-Paul Sarte
““Here, the mother country is satisfied to keep some feudal rulers in her pay; there, dividing and ruling she has created a native bourgeoisie, sham from beginning to end; elsewhere she has played a double game: the colony is planted with settlers and exploited at the same time. Thus Europe has multiplied divisions and opposing groups, has fashioned classes and sometimes even racial prejudices, and has endeavoured by every means to bring about and intensify the stratification of colonised societies. Fanon hides nothing: in order to fight against us the former colony must fight against itself: or, rather, the two struggles form part of a whole.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon, 1961
Colonial powers create internal divisions and hierarchies in colonies, forcing the colonized to fight both external oppression and internal conflicts.
In simple terms: Colonialism splits societies, making them fight themselves.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and dismantle imposed divisions.
Themes
colonialism
division
identity
resistance
class
race
Mood
critical
reflective
serious
Type
political
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- national liberation movements
- postcolonial policy reform
- education curricula
- community reconciliation
Key Concepts
imperialism
social stratification
psychological warfare
Questions to Reflect On
- How do internal class divisions affect anti‑colonial struggles?
- What strategies can unite fragmented groups?
A Different Perspective
Colonial structures can be deeply entrenched, making change slow and contested.
