ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Decolonising the Mind

Decolonising the mind means changing the way people think about themselves and their culture. In the olden days, some powerful countries took over other places and forced their language, religion and culture on the people who lived there. This made some people feel like their own culture and language were not good enough, and they started thinking that the way these powerful countries did things was the right way.

Decolonising the mind is about trying to change this way of thinking. It's like taking off a pair of glasses that someone put on you and looking at the world with your own eyes. It's about valuing your own culture and language, and not thinking that it's inferior.

For example, let's say that you were born in India and your parents speak Hindi. But your school teaches you in English, and most of the stories you read and movies you watch are in English too. You might start thinking that English is better than Hindi, and that your own culture and language are not as important.

To decolonise your mind, you would start learning more about your own culture and language. You might read books or watch movies in Hindi. You might learn about the history of India and its traditions. By doing this, you would start valuing your own culture and language more, instead of thinking that it's inferior.

Decolonising the mind is important because it helps people to connect with their own culture and identity. It's not about rejecting other cultures, but about understanding and respecting them while also valuing and cherishing your own.