Unpacking The Stages Of Settler Colonialism
In late-stage settler colonies like the United States and Canada, there’s a pervasive misconception that our modern institutional systems are merely flawed but ultimately benign. We frequently encounter assertions such as “there are good cops,” “they’re doing their best,” or the cliché, “the system is broken.” However, such notions couldn’t be further from the truth. Our systems and institutions aren’t malfunctioning; rather, they operate precisely as intended — to serve the interests of settler colonialism. It is imperative to challenge the fallacy that the presence of “good individuals” within these systems somehow mitigates their inherently detrimental nature. As aptly pointed out by Ibram X. Kendi (2019), “The good policies do not eradicate the racist policies. It is insufficient to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist.” Regardless of the intentions or actions of individuals within these structures, the systems themselves persist in perpetuating systemic oppression (Vitale, 2017).
Moreover, those who endeavour to enact meaningful changes within these institutions invariably encounter formidable barriers and resistance. As noted by Audre Lorde (1984), “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” Efforts to reform intrinsically oppressive systems from within are consistently met with pushback and even retaliation. Individuals who dare to challenge the status quo or advocate for systemic change are routinely marginalized, sidelined, or coerced out of their positions. As bell hooks (2003) astutely observes, “When individuals who are committed to social justice attempt to work within these institutions to bring about change, they are often met with resistance and hostility from those who benefit from the status quo.” The entrenched power structures within these systems actively resist endeavours to challenge the status quo, diligently safeguarding the existing hierarchy of power and privilege.
Yet, here on this usurped land, erected upon the exploitation of stolen peoples, we stubbornly cling to the notion that our governing bodies genuinely prioritize our collective well-being, when in actuality, they are designed to cater to the interests of the privileged few at the expense of indigenous peoples and marginalized communities. It is no mere coincidence that half of the world’s net wealth is concentrated in the hands of the top 1%, while the bottom 90% are left with a mere 15%. This staggering wealth disparity is not an accident; it is the direct result of a meticulously crafted design. Upon closer examination, we begin to discern that this attachment to our institutions and systems as bastions of moral rectitude is deeply entrenched in our indoctrination, serving to perpetuate the cycles of injustice that plague us today.
