What is Post-Colonial Studies?

Post colonial studies looks at colonialism and its social, political, and cultural effects impacting cultures of people living in mother country and/or within a cultural hegemony. The aim is to lessen these effects and to help create social and cultural spaces that allow for their voices. Post colonial theorists give permission for these voices to be heard throughout their work to stop the silencing of them by dominant ideologies and/or value systems.

Bahri (1996) states that "Post Colonial Studies often goes beyond the boundaries of its most basic definition, which is 'of, or relating to, or being the time following the establishment of independence in a colony' (American Heritage Dictionary). It is the study of the mechanisms of control and/or stages of development of anti-colonial nationalism. Further, Bahri (1996) states 'Moreover, the post-colonial sometimes includes countries that have yet to achieve independence, or people in First World countries who are minorities, or even independent colonies that now contend with neo-colonial forms of subjugation through expanding capitalism and globalization."

Regarding Post-Colonial studies, Spivak (1992) states that the "subaltern is not just a classy word from 'oppressed,' for other, or for somebody who's not getting a piece of the pie... In post-colonial terms, everything that has a limited or no access to the cultural imperialism is subaltern--a space of difference. Now, who would say that's just the oppressed? The working class is oppressed. It's not subaltern...Many people want to claim subalternity. They are the least interesting and most dangerous. I mean just by being a discriminated-against minority on the university campus; they don't need the word 'subaltern'...They should see what the mechanics of the discrimination are. They're within the hegemonic discourse, wanting a piece of the pie, and not being allowed, so let them speak, use the hegemonic discourse. They should not call themselves subaltern. — Interview with Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak: New Nation Writers Conference in South Africa (1992)