The colonial stereotype that can neither be proved nor eradicated is dependent upon ambivalence. The objective of the Colonizer is to portray the Colonized as a degenerate population because of their race so that they can justify their dominance. To do this they define the subject race as knowable but different with both positive and negative characteristics and engages a sense of otherness.
Edmund Said proposed a ‘Orientalist’ power that incorporated European observation of the Orient lumping together all races, cultures and politics in that geographical zone of the world. This incorporated a dichotomy that engages Eastern mystic spirituality and Western radical realism; with Western Rationalism usurping for itself, the boundaries of sense and stability. In doing this he created a line of thinking that relegated ‘dream-work’ and ‘an unconscious positivity’ to latent Orientalism while opinion and knowledge, or what is considered knowledge is termed manifest Orientalism. Homi K. Bhabha breaks with Said at this point on the basis of Foucault’s concept of power and discourse, asymmetrical relationships and Said’s binarism which unified them by using European intention to permit Western colonial dominance.
In the process of establishing dominance, the negative imagery must be closely tied to what makes the stereotypical individual charming and loveable as well. It is not sufficient justification to simply establish and repress the stereotypical representations these images must be constantly reinforced on an ongoing basis. To justify colonialism, the Colonizer must construct an assumed body of knowledge about the subject nation that is self sustaining and justifies their assumption of control. Stereotyping is not just setting up a scapegoat; it is projecting how individuals act negatively within their culture and positively under the enlightened supervision of the dominant race. Colonial justification of dominance creates a scenario in which differences between races and cultures takes place within the structure of congruent historical time lines.
Works Cited
Bhabha, Homi K. "The other question: the sterotype and colonial discourse." n.d.
