Frantz Fanon- The Wretched of the Earth (selections)

Frantz Fanon- The Wretched of the Earth (selections): reading response questions

While reading these selections, pinpoint why Fanon sees violence as a necessary component of any anti-colonial struggle. What, in particular, according to Fanon are the insidious effects of colonization on the colonized individual?
-Fanon indicates that cohabitation is extremely difficult, if not impossible, and provides a few examples to explain this. One such example is the violence that takes place upon colonization. When the colonists first encounter the natives, they use force to take over the land and establish power and authority, and in doing so cause tension and aggression between them and the colonized people. Fanon also stresses that the interaction between the two very different cultures "infuses a new rythem, specific to a new generation of men, with a new language and a new humanity" (Fanon 2). Fanon is illustrating the vast differences between the two people, in all aspects, from lifestyle to language. These barriers make it difficult for the two groups to communicate and relate to each other; violence is the only thing that they both understand.
-Post-colonization, the lives of the natives change drastically, as they are no longer able to live the way that they want, but rather are forced to live by the colonists standards. While the colonists live comfortable lives in rich and prosperous areas, the colonized are forced to live in small, cramped, famished sectors. According to Fanon, the colonized are envious of the colonists and feel that "their cramped world can only be changed by violence" (Fanon 3).

Think about our discussions of the multiple relationships between the "West" and the "Other". According to Fanon, what happens to human subjectivity (sense of self, identity) through the close, sustained and violent encounter of "West" and "Other"?
-Immediately after colonization, both the colonists and the colonized find ways to distinguish themselves from each other. While the colonized remain loyal and dedicated to the land that they had lived off of, the colonists become concerned with establishing rule and power and settlements. The colonists would often view the natives as inferior and worthless. This, in a way, parallels our class discussion regarding orientalism, in which we talked about how some cultures undermine or criticize others in order to feel greater or superior by comparasion.

Finally, think about what self-determination means for Fanon.
-I think Fanon is trying to tell us that having self-determination is essential to living happy and peaceful lives, but it can also cause problems and tensions if it conflicts with another's self-determination. When examining different cultures we will always find differences in ideals and beliefs. If and when two different groups of people are forced to interact with each other, these different ideals will clash and cause conflict, often resulting in violence. As someone who fought in the Algerian revolution, which was violently silenced by the French, Fanon probably valued self-determination more than anything and would not have compromised it easily. In his case, he was being forced by French colonialists to change his lifestyle. I imagine that Fanon was bitter towards the French, and all colonialists, for that matter, because they impose their own values and beliefs onto others without consideration or care.