5/11 Thurs

I want to focus on the concept of "micro-nationalism" or "Separatisms" in the context of hegemony. “Micro-nationalism are themselves legacies of colonialism (national bourgeoisie replaces the colonizer, yet the social and economic structure remains the same)” (p. 73). From this quote, I can relate this concept to the American slavery, where ex-black slaves (African Americans today) used their oppressor’s (white supremacy) “tools” to “free” themselves from this modern slavery. It is understandable that the slaves would use this “common-sense” tactic since that is the only tool they have known; they have been conditioned for so long to assimilate or live inside in their oppressor’s world, that they cannot simply “get out.”

In the article written by Kurup, this kind of “slave mentally” is shown through the section “Mombasa” where an Indian woman has adopted the British’s beauty standard despite that India has already gained independence from Britain. The writing perspective is from a dark-skin Indian man who pities this woman because he thinks that she looks ridiculous with the “white powdered” face because her skin tone is dark like Africans. However, this woman probably thinks she looks fine since light skin tone is India’s beauty standard. Pause for a moment here! The hegemonic “white” beauty standard is the “main” standard among Indian women because they have accepted it. However, the standard is originated from British women, not Indian women. Why? Because Britain colonized India and therefore enforced their own beliefs on the oppressed. So, this is why beliefs or opinions are considered truth to certain people due to the relationship between power and truth.