Frantz Fanon

Frantz Fanon (1925–1961) was perhaps the preeminent thinker of the 20th century on the issue of decolonization and the psychopathology of colonization. His works have inspired anti-colonial liberation movements throughout the world for the past forty-two years.

Influence

Fanon has had an enduring and inspiring impact on anti-colonial and liberation movements throughout the world. In particular, les damnes de la terre was a major influence on the work of revolutionary leaders such as Ali Shariati in Iran, Steve Biko in South Africa, and Ernesto che Guevara in Cuba. Of these only Guevara was primarily concerned with Fanon's theories on violence, for Shariati and Biko the main interest in Fanon was "the new man" and "black consciousness" respectively. Fanon's influence extended to the Palestinians, the Tamils, the Irish, the Black Panthers, and many other movements for self-determination. There is a sharp disjuncture between western academic usage of Fanon and Third World approaches. The former remains locked in a wrongheaded view of Fanon as an advocate of violence while the latter are concerned with overcoming the overwhelming physical and psychological violence of colonialist/imperialist power.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~