StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Decolonizing Pacific Studies - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
In the paper “Decolonizing Pacific Studies” the researcher focuses on the process of changing and decolonizing the educational system, which will involve accepting indigenous perspectives and embracing the local culture, to change the face of education…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95% of users find it useful
Decolonizing Pacific Studies
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Decolonizing Pacific Studies"

English Decolonizing Pacific Studies The colonization of the Pacific Islands was not only a physical affair, but it was also mental state of mind. Pacific Studies is a complex issue that involves reaching the educational platform all the way from kindergarten up to the university level, in order to give the learners a new language and a new thinking pattern (Thaman, 2000). This process involves reclaiming, regaining, and reclaiming the old indigenous lifestyle and culture that the Pacific is acclaimed for.

However, to do this, first the society must acknowledge the contributions that the West has made to the Pacific and realize that the Pacific islands have their unique culture that they need to embrace. Most of the educationalists in the Pacific have studied in the Western background. Furthermore, the Pacific studies are a branch of the Western education, and to completely integrate it, it would need consistency and dedication. The reality is that Pacific studies mainly consist of Western language, thinking, and philosophy.

Decolonization of the mind, therefore, is going to be a process that needs time and dedication. To reintroduce the indigenous ways of thinking, education and the societal way of thinking and seeks to discourage the scientific methods of thinking that run the society in the Pacific nations. However, Pacific studies do not necessarily value indigenous perspectives and furthermore does not regard multicultural education (Thaman, 2000). The process of changing and decolonizing the educational system will involve accepting indigenous perspectives and embracing the local culture, to change the face of education.

Imperialism, History, Writing and Theory Imperialism vividly describes all the events that occurred during colonialism, and during the entire period that this process occurred, there are many historical accounts written to express the emotions of the local people during this critical period. The process of imperialism began with historical figures such as Christopher Columbus a long time ago, and these people were the ancestors of colonization. Indeed, colonialism and imperialism are synonymous, and they both had similar goals in the systematic areas that they were adopted.

The primary aim of imperialism was to cater for the expansion of Europe, as the lands that were under these powerful countries had abundant raw materials that would help boost the industrial sector in the developed and more advanced nations (Smith, 1999).Colonization was the immediate result of imperialism, and it helped the countries that ruled over the others to attain raw materials, the best agricultural products and ready labor for the colonizer. Later on the indigenous people of this era began to fill the pinch of colonization, they understood what was occurring and began studying various concepts concerning imperialism.

The native population put up their structures and had particular systems of order in place as they started enlightening themselves on the rule of law. Imperialism had at that time destabilized the fabric of many indigenous communities, and it had disconnected them from much of their life including their home, people, culture, language and beliefs. Therefore, the people began to embrace literacy and writing as an effort to rediscover the lost culture and tradition (Smith, 1999).During colonialism, the Nationals were slowly disengaged from using their culture and heritage and this process of writing and literacy helped them to regain slowly lost ground.

One valuable and unforgettable experience gained from decolonization was remembering the old things that people used to do. Many scholars who aimed at raising sensitivity towards imperialism and its effects also managed to encourage individuals to recollect events from the past so as to be able to put together the pieces of the past and rediscover the vital parts of history that were taken during imperialism and colonization. Decolonization was a gradual process that involved reprogramming the minds of the people from the effects of colonialism and imperialism.

References Smith, L. (1999). Decolonizing methodologies. London: Zed Books. Thaman, K. (2000). Decolonizing Pacific Studies: Indigenous Perspectives, Knowledge, and Wisdom in Higher Education.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Decolonizing Pacific Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Decolonizing Pacific Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/social-science/1700373-decolonizing-pacific-studies
(Decolonizing Pacific Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Decolonizing Pacific Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/social-science/1700373-decolonizing-pacific-studies.
“Decolonizing Pacific Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/social-science/1700373-decolonizing-pacific-studies.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Decolonizing Pacific Studies

Swire Pacific

Swire pacific limited was introduced into the global market in 1965, through the acquisition of the franchise rights from the coca-cola company through manufacturing, promoting and distributing its beverage products.... Through the franchise it has enabled Swire plc to have a global presence in Taiwan, Hong Kong, seven provinces in mainland China as well as 11 states in United States of America. … Swire pacific got a global presence in the aviation industry through being the major shareholder in Cathy pacific Airways which boast with over 120 destinations around the globe....
4 Pages (1000 words) Case Study

Environmental Issues in the Pacific Islands, The Philippines

The Philippines is a developing country that is rich in natural resources, but it is one country that has serious environmental problems.... Among these are: urban congestion, water shortage, diminution of forest resources, degradation of coastal and marine resources, loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction, land-use conversion, waste disposal, and water and air pollution....
7 Pages (1750 words) Case Study

Evaluating a Specific Labor Market Concern in Australia

The paper "Evaluating a Specific Labor Market Concern" highlights that accompanying retention plan must be divided into levels taking into account the hierarchy in the corporate framework.... Store management staff members must be perceived to be retained for long.... hellip; Hiring people and retaining them are two different things....
10 Pages (2500 words) Case Study

Specific Aspects of the Spanish Monastery

The author of the paper "Specific Aspects of the Spanish Monastery" will begin with the statement that the Spanish monastery and it's part of empires finally combined with the Benedictine Order of Cluny in the Romanesque era in the early Middle Ages.... hellip; I think the architectural qualities that make the cloister a good place for solitary meditation and prayer is how enclosed it is and secluded....
5 Pages (1250 words) Case Study

Business Schools of Asia-Pacific

The lowest tuition fee amount is $1,000 at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management studies (Mumbai) while the institution with the highest tuition fee for an MBA program is the International University of Japan (Niigata).... "Business Schools of Asia-pacific" paper contains a statistical analysis of the data on movies that showed that the total gross income of the movie depends highly on two things – the gross sales on its opening week and the number of theaters it is shown nationwide (or worldwide)....
7 Pages (1750 words) Case Study

Politics in Human Rights Issues in the Asia Pacific

nbsp;This paper "Politics in Human Rights Issues in the Asia pacific" looks at the issues surrounding human rights and assessing if they are influenced by politics.... Despite many years of debate, many governments in the Asia pacific region continue to perpetuate unrelentingly the violation of human rights in the name of the nation's sovereignty and maintenance of internal operations and programs to themselves....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

Tourism Analysis on Pacific Asia Region

… The paper "Tourism Analysis on pacific Asia Region" is a wonderful example of a case study on tourism.... The paper "Tourism Analysis on pacific Asia Region" is a wonderful example of a case study on tourism.... Introduction This paper aims at discussing branding in the pacific Asia region.... The world tourism organization rates Asia and the pacific region as the second best-performing regions in terms of arrivals in 2007 after the Middle East....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

The United Arab Emirates Pacific Islands Partnership Success

… The paper “The United Arab Emirates Pacific Islands Partnership Success in Combating Climate Change in the Pacific Islands” is a perfect example of a case study on environmental studies.... The paper “The United Arab Emirates Pacific Islands Partnership Success in Combating Climate Change in the Pacific Islands” is a perfect example of a case study on environmental studies.... pacific island states, however, happens to be among the regions that are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us