On March 19th, 2021, the Center for African Studies hosted its weekly Baraza entitled: “COVID-19, Coloniality, and the Limits of Western Arrogance: Thoughts from Africa.” The presentation was given by Dr. Cheikh Thiam, the academic dean for Africa South of the Sahara at the School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT. His publications include: “Negritude Africentered: Revisiting Senghor and Glissant’s Countercultures of Modernity in the 21st Century.” Presence Africaine (2018); “Race Still Matters: The Pragmatic Limits of Mabanckou’s Plea for a Non-racial French Nation-state in Le sanglot de l’homme noir.” Dalhousie French Studies (2015); and Return to the Kingdom of Childhood: Re-envisioning the Legacy and Philosophical Relevance of Negritude (2014).
Dr. Thiam began his talk by stating the three key themes he would share–he would utilize decolonial methods to think about COVID-19 on the continent, analyze the limits to western arrogance and the need for humility towards all living things. Dr. Thiam defined this concept of Toxic Coloniality through this decolonial lens as colonially detrimental to the African continent – he shared that this concept can be described as the famously quote from Malcolm X: the chicken that went to roast. Dr. Thiam then shared aspects of Africa’s experience with COVID- 19 and that Decolonial intervention acknowledgment is founded on pervasive modernity. This pervasive modernity is further analyzed in the talk.
Dr. Thiam then shared the video of the French doctors to begin discussing the second theme of western arrogance. Dr. Thiam argued that Macron’s paternalistic and infantilizing attitude–which implies that we are going to solve our issues first and we will then come and help you–dehumanizes the object of the help and it is damaging and more dehumanizing than alternatives. He highlighted the colonial discourse generated from the WHO and the two doctors about COVID-19 impact and the role of arrogance in these situations. Moreover, he discussed the paternalistic tone and delivery of information about the virus and the arrogance in which it was presented by the west. Dr. Thiam questioned that in the context of Africa and COVID-19, who should really be given advice? He asserted that Africa must wake up to the continuous De-humanization of the continent.
Dr. Thiam called for a reflection of our futures differently – as there are opposing world views that are colonial and world views that are more humble and rely on indigenous knowledge. He stated, “What can Africa teach the world in dealing with Coronavirus – diseases and consequence.” He transitioned to speak about the colonial anthropocentric view and impact on climate and negative consequences being experienced currently. Dr. Thiam stated that our existence is vital and linked to the vital energy which exists in nature. Our relationship to nature cannot be of domination and must be based on balance. Fundamentally our ecology should be based on kindness and humility. This humility leads to an eco-friendly understanding of life.
Dr. Thiam argued for the ontology of the world is balanced – that we shouldn’t overuse nature seen in the reality of COVID-19.
Dr. Thiam ended his talk with the song “Start a Fyah” by Jamaican artist Chronix, stating to the audience that this virus has shown that humility is required, that humility will save us. The Ingenuity of the African continent when it came to COVID and how we engage differently moving forward.
Written by: Karen Awura-Adjoa Ronke Coker