OPINION: Decolonising Minds - An Urgent Call for Reflection and Action
By Mark Ereira-Guyer, Founder Director
Whilst this year’s Togetherness Poetry Challenge is centrally focused on the theme of ‘togetherness’ we’re aiming to explore the country’s rich mix of ‘shared identities’ - and perhaps more contentiously examine how we go about ‘decolonialising minds’ as well.
We’re nothing if not brave!
In recent discussions surrounding the decolonisation of minds, a set of fundamental issues emerge — that intersect deeply with history, power, race, and the continued repercussions of colonialism in today's fractious and fraught world. The journey towards understanding the need to "decolonise" isn't just about, for example, looking back at the painful legacies of slaughter and mayhew, slavery and colonial exploitation - in particular that cruel and vicious scramble for land, people and resources by the then richer European nations - in Africa. It also requires a candid exploration of the confusion and tension that colonial histories have left in their wake, especially in the minds of those whose ancestors were the architects of colonial power.
All these issues, which have sparked my curiosity from my teenage years, and now - dare I say it - remain strongly contemporaneous markers of the modern social, political and economic malaise in the highly charged spiralling digital era. The narrative around decolonisation often focuses on the liberation of marginalised peoples. However, there's also an undeniable impact on those who historically held power, and here I am speaking as someone steeped in white working class communities (first in the east end, then Essex and now in rural East Anglia). The process of decolonising minds is not just for the oppressed but is a confrontation for everyone. It forces us to reckon with the ways in which colonialism has shaped our thoughts, our values, and our relationships with the world. For some, this realisation can be deeply painful and confusing, as it requires peeling back layers of deeply embedded privilege and entitlement.
These inter-related issues are far from theoretical. Today, the consequences of colonialism are visible in plain sight—particularly in the extractivist behaviors of powerful nations, and their de-colonialising denier leaders. The example of wealthy, predominantly white men in the most super rich global north declaring ownership over vast global resources across the nations of the global south, and then as now (on a daily basis) in less populous countries such as Greenland and Canada (never mind all those minerals in Ukraine!) reflects the ongoing colonial mentality.
The actions of these powerful nations are not just about geopolitical strategy—they are about ownership, extraction, and the continued exploitation of countries that have long been the victims of colonialism. This modern-day colonialism is often masked by a veneer of international diplomacy, but the core of the issue remains the same: the extraction of resources for the benefit of the few, without regard for the well-being of those whose land is being taken, denuded and ultimately trashed.
What’s especially troubling is how recent political developments, such as the rise of figures like Donald Trump, have brought these colonial dynamics to the forefront. For years, the idea of decolonising minds may have seemed like a radical political theme, something discussed in academic circles or niche social movements. But the political climate, especially in the last few years, has made it painfully clear that these issues are urgent and relevant today. The rise of extreme extractivist and nativist figures has not only shifted public discourse but also drawn people from various walks of life to their plunder-the-world cause. The idea of “decolonisation” is no longer an abstract concept—it’s an urgent call to action.
But where do we go from here?
The need to decolonise minds isn't just an intellectual exercise. It's about creating real, on-the-ground partnerships and initiatives that address the ongoing legacies of colonialism. This is why we at Civil Society Consulting concentrate on building partnerships and collaborations with all grassroots organisations and movements, many often refugee or migrant-led social action organisations and their leaders. They show us the way, rooted in lived experience and with the drive and energies to focus on social cohesion and new ways of relating to each other through their mainstream service delivery, sport, music, and performance - and offering a powerful example of how cultural expression can play a key role in healing and decolonisation. It's not just about combating historical injustices but creating new avenues for individual and collective empowerment, and yes, change. Hence, our Poetry Challenge as well, our small cultural attempt to pull these threads together!
However, the conversation doesn't stop there. Decolonisation is an ongoing process, and it requires more than just partnerships—it requires a collective awakening. My question is though: what will the civil society sector do? Will we rise to the occasion, or will we remain passive as the forces of colonialism continue to shape our world? The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Now is the time to rally, to stand firm, and to confront the systems that perpetuate inequality and augur climate collapse and catastrophe.
Where are those who will stand up for justice, equity, and the dismantling of harmful systems? Those who are committed to values of fairness and compassion need to come together as a matter of urgency. The fight for decolonisation is not just theoretical—it's tangible, urgent, and essential for our collective future and that of the natural world which we all, everyone of us, are an intrinsic and unique part.
In the face of overwhelming forces and the continued rise of oppressive systems, we must ask ourselves: how will we act? It’s not enough to stay silent or passive. The call to decolonise minds is one that demands action—and we all have a part to play in answering that call.
My colleagues and I believe our sector should be at the forefront… We've got to move beyond the confines of social media outrage and all embrace values that truly reflect the world we want to see - one that is just, equitable, and free from the chains of colonialism.
Let’s begin by decolonising our minds—and then, perhaps, we can begin to decolonise the world.
We can all start by writing a poem:
Here are a couple of mine:
The Togetherness Poetry Challenge is part of a wider initiative to help build connections within and between communities. Find out more about how 32 Steps to Togetherness is bringing together like minded people, groups and organisations to create a movement for change.
