Philosophy Bites Lewis Gordon on Frantz Fanon
Oct 17, 2025
Lewis Gordon, a philosophy professor and author of What Fanon Said, dives deep into the life and legacy of Frantz Fanon, a pivotal figure in decolonial thought. They explore how Fanon's Creole roots shaped his humanism and his influence as a psychiatrist and political thinker. Gordon discusses Fanon's thesis on how colonialism breeds sociogenetic disorders and the nuances of racism affecting both oppressor and oppressed. He also connects Fanon's ideas to civil rights movements and highlights his vision for a humane post-colonial society.
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Philosophy As Healing
- Frantz Fanon combined psychiatry, philosophy and activism to critique colonialism and racism.
- His interdisciplinary practice positioned philosophy as a form of healing for social disorders.
Colonialism Creates Political Illness
- Black Skin, White Masks argues colonialism creates sociogenetic disorders that are political.
- Fanon says political solutions are required, and agency restores individual and social health.
Two Lies That Dehumanize
- The book exposes two lies: Black inferiority and the white mask of superiority.
- Fanon calls this division an attempted murder of humanity.
