The colonial gaze refers to the way in which colonizers view and perceive the people and cultures they colonize. It is a concept that emerged within postcolonial studies and examines the power dynamics, stereotypes, and distortions that occur in the process of colonization.
The colonial gaze is rooted in the belief of the colonizers' inherent superiority and their perception of the colonized as inferior, exotic, and uncivilized. This gaze shapes their understanding and representation of the colonized people, often leading to dehumanization, objectification, and the justification of oppressive practices.
This gaze can manifest in various ways, such as through the creation of racial stereotypes, fetishization of cultures, or the construction of a narrative that depicts the colonized as primitive or in need of civilization. It can also be seen in the way colonizers appropriate and commodify the cultural practices, artifacts, and bodies of the colonized for their own purposes.
The colonial gaze continues to have an impact even after the end of formal colonization, as its legacy is embedded in the structures, institutions, and narratives of postcolonial societies. Recognizing and challenging the colonial gaze is important in decolonizing knowledge, reclaiming agency, and addressing the ongoing effects of colonialism.
Colonial gaze
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