Violence as a Tool for Liberation

It is true that violence begets more violence but we cannot all be lambs to the slaughter. Lions are necessary in a system that has been founded on colonial occupation and systemic racism. Fanon makes some great points in The Wretched of the Earth. The perspective of the native in contrast to the mindset of the settler  asserts that the settler is envious. I agree wholeheartedly because oftentimes if this spirit is out of control in a persons body it usually leads to violence. The natives being content was interpreted as laziness because they don’t know that after all the history of tribulation we were promised rest. One ethnic group having power over another ethnic group will always be problematic because of cultural differences, traditions, religion or the lack thereof as seen in The Battle of Algiers. Throughout the course of time lands have been given to one people and taken from another for various reasons. What place does France have in Africa is a question I asked myself while I watched this film. If the textbook definition of the word of the word “Civilized” was put into practice these two groups of people probably could have coexisted in peace. Meeting the Man was a powerful film, I’m always amazed at how introspective James Baldwin was, he was truly a visionary. I love his sense of conviction when he said “The world has to change.” He understood that a world rooted in a perpetual state of violence was not sustainable.