I feel like this should be more popular than Black Skin, White Masks, but I've only ever been assigned to read the one. Fanon has his usual issues: no regard for women and this overly objective style of writing that makes highly circumstantial things sound universal. However, I think this book offers valuable insights in 2 main areas. One, the question of violence that Fanon opens with. I think the left is still wrestling with whether revolution can occur through non-violent means (whether electoralism or general strikes) or whether it will literally require a taking up of arms to enact change in society. Fanon comes down clearly on the side of the latter. The other significant contribution is on the question of nationalism. I think Black politics still struggles with whether anti-racism needs to take the form of an infusion of Black culture and epistemology into the existing hegemonic order, or if the hegemonic order cannot be fundamentally challenged and Black people need to form our own institutions. Fanon seems to favor the latter (or at least suggests nationalism as an essential first step). Fanon concludes in a somewhat underdeveloped human, suggesting the need for non-European modes of being human. If you want someone who actually takes the question up in depth then go read Sylvia Wynter.

formative reading for understanding myself and existence in the United snakes

4.5/5

Ondanks het feit dat het een oud boek is nog steeds (misschien vooral nu) relevant. Wel pittig om doorheen te komen voor mij, wat wel iets doet met het leesplezier. Desalniettemin een enorme aanrader.

(Boek gelezen voor de marxistische leesklup)