Aimé Césaire’s Discourse On Colonialism is a thought provoking polemic. Césaire’s vibrant word choice and command of language renders his critique of colonialism more poetic than the ordinary political treatise. While Césaire’s writing is unique and entertaining, Discourse on Colonialismcan too easily perceived as a provocative, even radical, piece to those possessing a western background or a superficial reading. Consequently, the same language and unique claims that distinguish his work have the potential to narrow the book’s favorablereception. Yet, as one learns through a personal dialogue with Discourse on Colonialism, this narrowing is, arguably, not viewed as a negative by the author. Consequently, the dispensing of certain presuppositions is necessary to recognize the brillianceof Césaire’s thought provoking assertion that Nazism did not originate with Hitler, but in colonialism.

Of the many claims and attacks levied against colonialism by Césaire, it is his placement of the origins of fascism in colonialism that is the most poignant. Césairehighlights the absurdities of Europe’s justifications for colonialism. He undermines the supposed driving force of colonialism, humanism, through a thoughtful argument demonstrating how colonialism fails to civilize “savages”, and simultaneously de-civilizes the “civilized”. He supports his argument through employing primary sources, statements by prominent European theologians, philosophers, politicians, and military personnel, detailing disturbing grievances committed against the colonized.Through drawing comparisons between the fascism of Nazi Germany and the barbaric implications of colonialism, he arrives at his most valuable inference. Césaireasserts, “What he [the European or white man] cannot forgive Hitler for is not the crime in itself, the crime against man…it is the crime against the white man…the fact that he applied to Europe colonialist procedures which until then had been reserved exclusively for the Arabs…the ‘coolies’…the ‘niggers’” (Cesaire 36). The cruelties attributed to Fascism are brilliantly traced to colonialism and separated from Hitler. Yet, this separation coupled with other provocative statements is capable of alienating certain demographics.

From a western perspective, much of Discourse on Colonialism initially appears subversive, and rightfully so. Yet, Césaire’s genius lies in his ability to craft a compelling polemic, standing in opposition to a pervasive notion in favor of elucidating the logical absurdities intrinsic to European colonialism. However, Césaire overlooks two incompatible assumptions of his argument. First, he assumes that (and is critical of) the masses in Europe being ignorant and failing to stand against the bourgeois perpetrators of colonial Nazism. Opposite this is his claim concerning the faith he places in the same group. He states, “That the salvation of Europe…will substitute for the narrow tyranny of a dehumanized bourgeoisie the preponderance of the only class that still has a universal mission…the proletariat” (Césaire 78). Hence, Césaire speaks for and against the proletariat. Couple these statements with others showing favor for the Soviet Union and it is reasonable to assume that Capitalist ire may jettison his argument. A re-examination of these elements would strengthen the author’s argument.

Césaire’s work in Discourse on Colonialism is not perfect, but the author should not be discredited or ignored due to shortcomings stemming from his passion for the subject. Césaire’s work is distinguished by his artistic use of language in a political treatise. While the book is categorized as history it remains pertinent well past the de jure end of colonialism. Today’s era of globalization renders the questions Césaire raised just as poignant as they were when penned. Are the actions taken by the United States in Iraq, China’s exploitation of African labor, or Structural Adjustment Programs and the accompanying justificationsextensions of the same de-civilizing false humanism found in colonialism rather than progress? Such questions are the legacy of Césaire’s polemic concerning colonialism.