My review of 'Against Decolonisation: Taking African Agency Seriously' by Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò.
for Cieo, 14/7/23
We do not expect to see a book with Against Decolonisation in the title. Being against decolonisation suggests that colonial powers should have held onto the countries in their possession, a position which has, rightly, become politically and morally untenable. On the contrary, ‘decolonise’ is now an official value in universities and beyond; affirmed in ‘anti-racist reading lists’, staff training sessions and curriculum design. It is not up for debate. But in Against Decolonisation: Taking African Agency Seriously, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò asks readers to engage in precisely this debate by considering the true meaning and impact of today’s decolonise movement.