I was also skeptical, but I think Fanon has a point that nationalism could be an important stepping stone for a colonized people to forge an identity and solidarity to free themselves. However, even then I don't think it's a long-term good as it continues to artificially divide folks. He even points out how easy it is post-colonization for people to revert to tribalism and blame minority groups and drive them out rather than focusing on the true enemy (the colonizers and the local colonial administrators).
I would conceded that it could be useful for liberation, but like Fanon says must be corrected almost immediately to prevent future harms.
I was also skeptical, but I think Fanon has a point that nationalism could be an important stepping stone for a colonized people to forge an identity and solidarity to free themselves. However, even then I don't think it's a long-term good as it continues to artificially divide folks. He even points out how easy it is post-colonization for people to revert to tribalism and blame minority groups and drive them out rather than focusing on the true enemy (the colonizers and the local colonial administrators).
I would conceded that it could be useful for liberation, but like Fanon says must be corrected almost immediately to prevent future harms.
Good? Who for?