Legal Identity Essay

Identity is a group of characteristics, data or information that belongs exactly to one person or a group of people and that make it possible to establish differences between them. The consciousness that people have about themselves is part of their identity as well as what makes them unique. According to psychologists, identity is a consistent definition of one’s self as a unique individual, in terms of role, attitudes, beliefs and aspirations. Identity tries to define who people are, what they are, where they go or what they want to be or to do. Identity could depend on self-knowledge, self-esteem, or the ability of individuals to achieve their goals. Through self-analysis people can define who they are and who the people around them

Memmi argues that the first step towards assimilation is for the colonized to “change his skin” (Memmi 120). By this, he means that in order to

Throughout history, we see various forms of colonialism that have happened in the world. Multiple groups of people were affected by this act of colonizing. An example of the groups that were affected would include the Cherokees and the Mayans. Both of these groups of people experienced colonialism in similar ways, either by adaptation or resistance nevertheless they still had their differences.

Identity. What is identity? One will say that it is the distinct personality of an individual. Others will say that identity is the behavior of a person in response to their surrounding environment. At certain points of time, some people search for their identity in order to understand their existence in life. In regards, identity is shaped into an individual through the social trials of life that involve family and peers, the religious beliefs by the practice of certain faiths, and cultural awareness through family history and traditions. These are what shape the identity of an individual.

Colonization itself is immoral the basic concept is the haves take from the have-nots. Whether with religious or secular intentions when an area is colonized the conquered people lose their homes, livelihood, and quite often their culture. Even then the conquering nation is still maintaining power through force rather than any allegiance on the part of the conquered. The premonition that colonization could in anyway resemble something moral is a delusion.

Colonisation was created through the emergence of European capitalism from the 1500’s and continues today. Colonisation depends on the systematic exploitation of environmental and human resources which still continue in today’s societies. Colonisation is the process of where control over spirituality, land, language and education, health and family structures and also culture itself is passed down from the indigenous people to the colonisers. (Colonisation and Racism, 2000.)

Within the context of the American culture, the "colonizer" is the "white" culture, and the "colonized" is not only "the indigenous community" (i.e. native Americans) but all other minorities, including African- Americans, Russian- Americans, Hispanic- Americans, Chinese-Americans, etc. And Arab- Americans, of

Colonialism did many things, from changing the land, to at times destroying it. It varied depending which country was being colonized. When colonization began within the occupying new territory the settlers would come in and change the course of that country. The land was being changed all already those natives who were the ones being colonized. The people were forced to change and emerge into the way of living and handling matters. Their cultures were being destroyed and traditions were being changed. The colonizers had all the power in their hands of what will become of that new land. Whether they will better it or take absolute advantage of its natural resources was all in their hands. The course for that country was left on the hands of the

(1) “In general, scholars agree that colonialism involves the organized domination by one nation of an external or different geographical unit, nation, culture, race, or people. According to V. Y. Mudimbe in The Invention of Africa(1988), the terms " 'colonialism ' and 'colonization ' basically mean organization, arrangement,’ and ‘derive from the Latin 'colere, ' meaning to cultivate or to design.’” (Colonialism)

When examining the effects of colonialism you must analyze it from a historical context. Colonization by definition is the exertion of power of a nation over another weaker nation. It is the seizing of control of a feebler governance by violence, influence, and political presence. By the

Colonialism, is basically where a country takes over partially or completely of a foreign land. They claimed the land as their own and begin to abuse it for their own advantage. Many restrictions in education, employment, and health benefits are imposed by the white settler to the colonized. Settlers started establishing their own homes, therefore, they impose by force their own culture upon the colonized. But, they also begin to exploit them for their own economic interests. Frantz Fanon a famous anti-colonialist thought that European colonialism had tremendously affected the indigenous societies negatively.

The colonizer who accepts amasses his privileges from the degrading of the colonized. (Memmi 54) He enjoys the privileges of the life he chose to live in the colonies which was impossible to achieve in Europe. Since he accepts his ties to his mother country, though he lives in a foreign land does not participate in or react to the collective lives of his fellow citizens, causing him to be unsure of his true nationality. The colonialist does not plan his future in terms of staying in the colony because, he is only there temporarily and only lives there in order to remain prosperous.

Colonialism is a multifaceted term. It used to be referred to people settling in a new country while remaining citizens of the homeland, and being granted property rights in the new country by the occupying authorities. Nowadays, it refers to settling and depending on a land for resources and sustenance, but still being controlled by their country of origin in terms of politics and economics. This may involve simply utilizing the foreign land’s natural resources, or outright extermination of the local population to take possession of the land. It has taken on a negative connotation, with settlers denying the natives basic rights, and becoming conquerors instead of peaceful settlers at an equal status as the natives.

Colonization is the settling of people in a seemingly foreign area, despite other people in the area. Throughout history, we have seen many examples of colonization, some good and some bad. Many people will argue that colonization strips a native people of its culture and thus of its soul, however that is sometimes untrue. There are different examples supporting this view on colonization, such as supported by Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, colonization in Middle-Eastern communities, and through examples of the original intent of colonization.

The historical phenomenon of colonisation is one that stretches around the globe and across time. Back in its heydey, European empires were prompted to compete with each other in the quest for gold, glory, and gospel. Even though formal colonialism has