Psychological Colonization: The Eurocentrism of Socioiogy vis-à-vis Race.

Psychological colonization is defined as the standardization of ideas previously less relevant to native populations and includes exportation of race constructs to native subjects among whom race was previously all but insignificant. Since the existence of Europe's colonization, colonial powers have dealt with non-European subjects in one of three ways eradication, exclusion or assimilation. Ironically, it is the assimilation experience that has impacted and, by colonial influence, denigrated, any challenges to the race status quo. There are two methods used to circumvent psychological colonization and to correct this methodological flaw. The first is utilization of the democratic process, incorporate a variety of demographic tools and settle upon the most popular. This approach would prove fitting in a democratic sovereignty but would not necessarily be effective. Demographic tools that rely upon popularity run the risk of collapsing into an intellectual solipsism that is unproductive and no less hegemonic. The second alternative suggests a more encompassing approach, which must accommodate a meaningful effort and sensitivity to a diverse population. Although non-Europeans have distinct heritages, they also have in common various stresses of Eurocentrism. The boundary of their frustration exceeds group demarcation. Consequently, the minimization of Eurocentrism and the incorporation of greater intellectual diversity will reduce western hegemony at a time when the racial significance of populations worldwide could all but completely diminish. Hence, discarding the issue of race will, no doubt, precipitate confusion and complexity in the initial call for modifications in thinking and perception of non-European populations.