Discussing Stereotype: The West, still a Colonialist?

    I wonder whether people from Asia, Africa, America and others, particularly whose country had ever been colonized by the so-called West, still think or stereotype the West as a colonialist. Whereas the fact that many western countries colonized formally many parts of the world in the past, it is debatable to say the same thing for the current context. I myself, in which my country, Indonesia had been occupied by the Dutch for hundred years, still have, let's say, 10% of that idea. My fellow countrypeople, generally hold the idea too, despite of various degrees of conviction. Other people from the “ex-colonized” land, I met and observe, have more or less same impressions. Yet, I argue that the thought or stereotype should be realized fully that it has many weaknesses. Thus, I just leave 10% for it at most, while more than 90% does not favour on it. I come up with several reasons to support my stand.

    First, can all negative traits be associated to the colonialist West? And no positive ones? The negative characteristics are usually linked up to the “colonialist” ? Manipulative, exploitative, selfish, greedy, arrogant, are few to mention. However, almost none or even no positive characteristics can be computer given to the colonialists. This position generally shows very clear, typical black and white situation. The colonizer with all negative traits, and the colonized with all positive ones. I am not really sure whether this is the case.

    Second, who is the West actually? Are they those countries geographically located in the West sphere of the earth? Are they the countries of Europe and North America? Do they include all people and elements of those countries, from the authorities, the civil societies and the lay people? And, should we refer ourselves as the East? While historically there was a claim to divide the world with the West and “others,” I doubt that this division is still completely valid nowadays. Some people have come up with new limitations, such as the First and Third World, the Developed and Developing, the Global North and Global South and so one. It is true, that each entitlement has its own context and usage, as the term of “the West (and the East)” used. Yet, the term “the West” has much lost its significance and relevancy today.

    Third, what is the use of it? I find that many usages of “the West” is more in the political context. Even, many are trapped in the (political) jargon or cliché only. To certain extent, they are understandable and possibly useful. However, the less acceptable thing is that they are used to undermine and attack a more universally accepted ideas, like human rights and democracy. Besides, the jargon is uttered for bringing up (negative) sentiments, that are manipulative and exploitative as the characteristics of colonialist mentioned before. This definitely does not produce an ideal solution.

    That there had been colonialism done by many Western countries in the past is a undeniable historical fact. That there has been colonialism done by some Western stakeholders in various forms until now is also another fact. Yet, I believe we should be careful to put the West as a colonialist in the current context. The tendency to simplify situation to black and white opposition, to ambiguously define the term and to employ the term as a political cliché, should be avoided. Otherwise, we just merely shallow stereotype, like what we may do to other certain groups. Thus, it is much better to critically engage and constructively find the most suitable solution based on the specific context we have.