Why are white guys the only people who listen to me when I rant about colonialism?

I think it's because they like what they see. Just kidding. Not really. Nonetheless, of the general population they are the only ones who don’t seem to dismiss my passionate ravings. Now that I’ve actually thought about it deeply, though, I think there are a lot of reasons.

First, it's most likely due to the aforementioned reason, seeing as men do nothing outside something they think will benefit them, especially if its harvesting clout from women—but that’s an essay for another time. Second, I think it's because white men have no skin in the game.

White men, however, because they’re at the top of the this colonial, patriarchal hierarchy, aren’t trying to climb it. They’re just there. And therefore, just bored enough to hear a different perspective. I also think this is why we’re seeing an increase in interracial couples. While ethnic men, brown and black alike, are pursuing white women to gain the approval or acceptance of their white male peers (because male peer validation amongst all men is the highest good, especially from men they view as aspirational or at the top of the hierarchy), white guys are just out here, not really caring as long as their partner is hot (hence my first reason).

They have not been affected, or, more accurately, are not aware of how they have been affected by colonialism, which isn’t really saying much, seeing as most people are unaware of how colonialism affects everything.

And frankly, having seen the number of hot ethnic women with mediocre white men who treat them well, I guess it makes sense.

When I try to talk to brown men about colonialism, they usually stare intensely, presumably thinking about some white girl who broke their heart years ago, and then resume talking about some rap beef or are currently on the path of returning to their religious roots, where they will find women conditioned to accept sub-par behavior in order to be approved by the divine.

Even black men, who, in America at least, understand colonialism on a visceral level most of us will fail to ever grasp, understandably avoid the pain and inevitable risk that comes with speaking the truth about our colonial reality. They don’t even need to know about figures like Patrice Lumumba or Thomas Sankara, whose examples would probably instill in them even more fear.

I also think that colonialism seems like an ancient concept to most white people because they have no concept of their history. If we talk about white people in America, most of them have abandoned their original cultures, which are some flavor of European. Most white Americans, in order to fit in, become this weird amalgamation of capitalistic values shaped by a desire for acceptance or belonging that is achieved through extreme devotion to team sports or their alma mater. Everyone is confused.

Little do ethnic men—scratch that, most people—know that the only way to get the approval of this individualistic, white society is to not seek their approval. White society, whose ideology is based on a colonial understanding of the world, is so individualistic that a core tenet of acceptance within that community is putting oneself above all, and then, only then will they recognize other people as worthy individuals - and they still might not. One must be so individualistic that one cares nothing about others' approval. Individualistic people only recognize individuals that look like themselves—they are that individualistic. Mind-blowing, I know.

Instead of trying to fully integrate in order to be accepted, accept yourself and where you come from, regardless of how it's viewed. Sure, you may risk rejection, but frankly, you're rejected anyway, and is the alternate reality of aspirational acceptance really worth living? The numbness and isolation that comes with individualism is worse than acknowledging the pain of the past.

But what do I know? I’m off to find someone in finance, trust fund, 6’5”, blue eyes, to rant about colonialism to.

This is the first lesson I think the colonized need to learn:
We cannot bend to the social mores or expectations of individualistic white society and their Western cultural hegemony in order to be respected or accepted by that same society. They’re so individualistic they don’t even accept each other.