decoloniality

[ dee-kuh-loh-nee-al-i-tee ]

noun

1. a stance or approach that seeks to rediscover, revalidate, and restore Indigenous knowledge, cultural values, social and economic structures, etc., that have been displaced or suppressed by colonialism, and to decenter or dismantle dominant colonial attitudes and power structures: decolonize ( def 2 ).

   The language of decoloniality reminds us to extend our perspective back to before 1492 when the process of Western global domination took off.

Word History and Origins

Origin of decoloniality¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; de- ( def ) + coloniality ( def )

Example Sentences

Lailatul Fitriyah, who researches decoloniality as an assistant professor at Claremont School of Theology, said she had no interest in watching the sequel, after she recently watched the first movie for the first time.

From Washington Post

“The racial uprisings last year didn’t come from nowhere. It’s because people have been organizing and educating people and training. All of our activists go through anti-racism training. All of our activists go through decoloniality training.”

From Seattle Times

Among the changes are revisions to the Eurocentric curriculum; a cluster-hire of 10 new faculty members committed to “issues of decoloniality, race, racism, and ethnicity”; and admitting more students of color.

From New York Times

They were done with making polite requests for institutional reform, and were demanding decoloniality.

From The Guardian

They need to be more deeply committed to the larger project of decoloniality.

From The Guardian