The Call for a New/Different Epistemology By Kelson Maynard

 


In today’s environment anything that is known can be known in a different way.  The grand narratives of European and Euro-United States of America American epistemology are not inviolate.  That epistemology has not redounded to the benefit of those countries and territories that were former colonies of European and Euro-USA American capitalism and its attendant colonialism.  The structural dependency of these former colonies on the capitalist centers of production and distribution of goods, services, and epistemology have not changed.

Recognizing these facts, Peter Tosh advised that we should not be seeking peace with the system.  Peace is equated with normalcy, with the status quo.  He suggested that we should be advocating for equal rights and justice.  Bob Marley was even more direct.  He advised that we must rebel against the system of oppression.

Rebellion begins by saying no to the current epistemological system that was bequeathed to us by European and Euro-USA American capitalism and colonialism.  It begins by freely thinking in opposition to the current epistemological system that justifies domination, racism, and war against post-colonial countries and territories. Rebellion is also the first step in a social movement.  But it requires a different social consciousness.

These Round Tables discussions aim to inspire in oppressed communities the development of a social consciousness oppositional to the current epistemology of knowledge and knowledge production system that can support rebellion against that system and give birth to a system that can provide for the flourishing of all people regardless of class, status, ethnicity.

As David Addulah, the political leader of the political party The Movement for Social Justice, recently said perhaps the only meaningful new years resolution we can make for 2025 is to have a “revolution of the mind.”  Such a revolution will cause people to “ see the need to change the system; to change the status quo; to fundamentally reform the institutions from the education system to the criminal justice system, to the way the economy is structured and controlled to benefit the few and not the many.”

 

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