Colonialism

Colonialism has profoundly affected indigenous communities across the continent of Africa., leaving an undeniable imprint on politics, economics, culture, and social norms. For nearly a century, various European powers exploited natural and human resources, which has had far reaching negative impacts on the lived experiences of Africans. Colonial systems robbed Africans of their land and traditions, incited the devaluation of African peoples and culture, and left many in a cultural abyss struggling to recompose fragmented identities. Accordingly, the most negative serious impact of colonialism has been psychological. This is said to create in many Africans, a colonial mentality, especially among the educated Africans, in general but also among the populace in general.

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Colonial mentality refers to personal feelings or beliefs of ethnic or cultural inferiority which can manifest denigration of the African self, denigration of African culture or body, discrimination against less Westernized in-group members, and tolerating historical and contemporary oppression. This form of internalized oppression has a deleterious effect on ethnic identity and mental health and is associated with bullying, acculturative stress, and other maladaptive behaviors.

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Those who develop admiration for the colonizer’s culture are seen to dislike their own indigenous culture but also are also discriminatory against persons wo have physical characteristics associated with the indigenous culture, or those holding indigenous values. Simultaneously, inability to become like the colonizer robs the African of the ability to be authentic, leaving them with feelings of anxiety. On the other hand, internalized shame of a person’s culture increases the experience of anxiety and depression. This is because the adoption of colonial values is coupled with a condemnation of the self. Torn between the indigenous culture and the colonizer’s cultural values, the person can be left with feelings of self-hared or even shame.

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Examples of Colonial Mentality

· Skin Bleaching

· Belief that Traditional Rites and Rituals are Marks of Inferiority of a Culture

· Belief that Historic Symbols such as Masks are Demonic

· Inferiority of Indigenous Languages

· Abandonment of Traditional Religions

· The Preference to do Business or Interact with Westerners

· Others

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It can be said that the family in Transcendent Kingdom sought success in America because they saw a more Westernized country to be more superior economically and culturally