Olufemi Taiwo, a Professor of African Political Thought at Cornell and author of *Against Decolonisation*, joins Dipo Faloyin, a VICE editor and author of *Africa Is Not A Country*. They dive into the intricacies of decolonization, questioning whether it truly empowers African nations or oversimplifies complex issues. The discussion touches on the legacies of colonialism, nation-building challenges, and the importance of acknowledging Africa's rich pre-colonial history and agency post-independence. It's a nuanced look at a pivotal topic.
49:39
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Decolonization's Purpose
Decolonization aims to challenge inaccurate historical narratives about Africa.
It seeks to acknowledge Africa's agency and the realities of colonialism's impact.
insights INSIGHT
Reframing Decolonization
The historical narrative of Africa has already been challenged.
Decolonization should focus on the struggle for independence.
insights INSIGHT
Colonialism's Impact
Colonialism's presence in post-independence Africa doesn't solely explain current issues.
Other factors like inertia and conscious choices play a role.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò's book critiques the contemporary decolonization movement, suggesting it has become a tool for virtue signaling and undermines African agency. He argues that the indiscriminate application of decolonization across various fields harms scholarship and intellectual progress in Africa. Táíwò advocates for recognizing African intellectuals as innovative thinkers capable of synthesizing diverse ideas.
Africa Is Not a Country
Dipo Faloyin
In 'Africa Is Not a Country', Dipo Faloyin offers a vibrant and insightful portrayal of Africa, countering stereotypes by exploring the continent's rich cultural diversity, colonial heritage, and modern challenges. The book delves into topics such as the 'white savior complex', the impact of colonialism, and the lively cultural debates like the best Jollof rice. It celebrates Africa's energy and resilience, providing a nuanced understanding of its complexities.
Sign up for Intelligence Squared Premium here: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ for ad-free listening, bonus content, early access and much more. See below for details.
Today, decolonisation is generally spoken of as the rightful return of things to the way they once were, and the removal of all traces of colonial rule. But is this necessarily the best way to move forward and give agency to African nations? Or has decolonisation become a reductionist trope – a scapegoat for modern problems? To delve into the nuances and importance of decolonisation we're joined by Olufemi Taiwo, Professor of African Political Thought at Cornell University and author of Against Decolonisation: Taking African Agency Seriously, and Dipo Faloyin, Senior Editor at VICE and author of Africa Is Not A Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa. Our host for this Sunday Debate is Yassmin Abdel-Magied, writer, engineer and award-winning social advocate.
…
We are incredibly grateful for your support. To become an Intelligence Squared Premium subscriber, follow the link: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/
Here’s a reminder of the benefits you’ll receive as a subscriber:
Ad-free listening, because we know some of you would prefer to listen without interruption
One early episode per week
Two bonus episodes per month
A 25% discount on IQ2+, our exciting streaming service, where you can watch and take part in events live at home and enjoy watching past events on demand and without ads
A 15% discount and priority access to live, in-person events in London, so you won’t miss out on tickets
Intelligence Squared 
