Colonialism and its Consequences
Growing up, I don’t remember hearing the word Colonialism in school, although we were taught about the various occurrences in America and beyond. In my formative years, American colonialism was portrayed with words such as settlers, pioneers, and the like. The understanding I initially had centered around an exploration mission leading to the expansion of America today, and not colonialism.
My perspectives have been shaped through education, culture, and lived experience as an African American raised in the inner city. Academically, studying leadership and history has deepened my understanding of power, justice, and human frailty. Culturally, my community’s resilience and faith traditions have taught me the sacredness of survival and the beauty of collective strength. Theologically, I see history now through the lens of redemption, God working through broken people and systems. From an emotional standpoint, topics like slavery, racism, and inequality evoke both grief and determination. My beliefs are grounded in personal conviction while remaining open to being challenged and stretched, even if it is uncomfortably.
Colonialism: Moral Reckoning and Complex Legacy
Nigel Biggar argues that colonialism, though often demonized in the public sphere, was not a monolith of evil. As he acknowledges the injustices and atrocities, he also points to how colonialism also produced progress. He writes, “The empire was morally mixed: sometimes good, sometimes bad, often both at once.” Looking at Colonialism from another lens is a challenge for some, and admittedly, it was never my intention to see it from that perspective. Kathryn Schultz, in her book Being Wrong, makes this observation. We assume that other people are ignorant because we assume that we are not. We think we know the facts. 109 Biggar also challenges us to resist presentism by reminding us that history is always lived in shades of grey.
The Global and Ongoing Reality of Slavery
As an African American from the inner city, my understanding of slavery has long been shaped by the trauma embedded in America’s racial memory that is being infiltrated with attempts to have amnesia concerning stories of stolen labor, fractured families, and generational pain, and the abuse and murder of the innocent. However, studying slavery’s broader history across civilizations, including African kingdoms and Muslim empires, reshapes my moral lens. Human exploitation was tragically global. Hearing the Malay struggle in South Africa was an eye-opener. This harsh truth and complexity do not absolve Western colonialism; rather, it deepens accountability.
I often accused the youth I mentored of practicing selective memory as a way to escape the truth. Selective memory when it comes to history, by looking and recalling some but not all, also runs the risk of moral hypocrisy and hinders reconciliation. I think of how South Africa was able to move towards its reconciliation through the acknowledgment of past sins and wickedness. We often talk about speaking truth to power. But we need the power to tell the truth. Truth, equity, and context for me are the foundation for fairness and justice. Truth will expose the full story, equity ensures all voices are heard, and context prevents history from being weaponized as we see today.
,
Religion, War, and Counterfactual History
Religion played a central and pretty conflicted role in colonial expansion. Christianity and Islam were used to sanctify conquests by theological narratives of divine mandate and moral superiority. The Crusades framed warfare as a holy duty, while Islamic empires often justified expansion as spreading the faith. One point of note is what could have potentially been if the Islamic conquest of Europe had been actualized. Domination was also a huge force to be reckoned with.
Contemporary leaders must confront these histories with theological integrity and humility, acknowledging the abuse of faith in accomplishing this evil and dishonest way.
The Bible itself is steeped in colonial contexts. Israel’s story begins in bondage under Egypt, a colonial regime that enslaved and exploited foreigners. Later, empires like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome imposed successive colonial rule over God’s people. The prophets consistently raised their voices against the injustices of the empire. Colonial power hit hard in the biblical world, its consequence, loss of land, forced exile, and cultural erasure.
Biblical history has relevance today because it is a vibrant reminder that God’s people have always wrestled with colonial powers. In the New Testament, colonialism shapes the backdrop of Jesus’ ministry. We are confronted with Rome’s imperial presence everywhere, aggressive tax collectors extracting wealth on behalf of Caesar, and Roman soldiers enforcing law and order on behalf of Cesar, with striking similarities today.
Scripture acknowledges the pain of empire but also points to a new kingdom of justice, mercy, and dignity. One which anticipates the day when “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).
The Costs and Benefits of Colonialism
Colonialism undeniably has inflicted profound moral wounds. Looking at enslavement, the erasure of culture, and exploitation, these are the major culprits. When I think of benefits, things such as legal systems, infrastructure, and educational models that shaped modern governance come to mind- but at what cost? True leadership faces uncomfortable histories that should not be justified but acknowledged. Then understanding can take root and possibly reconciliation.
I believe that truth and grace must coexist in how we view history, faith, and humanity. Confronting painful truths is not always about blame, but forging a path towards healing. I believe in redemption and God’s image resides in every person, and leadership demands we honor that image. I believe now more than ever that truth-telling, empathy, and accountability are the most viable pathways to real reconciliation and sustainable transformation. Time will be our answer.
About the Author
Daren Jaime
17 responses to “Colonialism and its Consequences”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Thanks, Daren, for your perspective on this. This is a great statement: “True leadership faces uncomfortable histories that should not be justified but acknowledged.” What surprised you about in the required readinigs?
Kari, thank you. I must admit Biggar’s narrative of colonialism bringing forth progress at first had me taken aback. He makes his argument compelling, however, by highlighting aspects of British rule and indigenous cooperation. While my overall feelings are surely against colonialism, I can hold an authentic space to receive his argument.
Dr. Jaime,
You wrote some really powerful statements in your post. A few that especially stood out to me were:
1) Theologically, I see history now through the lens of redemption, God working through broken people and systems.
2) This harsh truth and complexity do not absolve Western colonialism; rather, it deepens accountability.
And my personal favorite:
3) We often talk about speaking truth to power. But we need the power to tell the truth.
From your viewpoint, what truth do you think those who have experienced abuse and generational pain in the United States most need to hear from “the power” in order to begin—or continue—the work of healing?
Dr Elysse, Thank You! From my lens, the truth that those who have endured generational pain in America most need to accept the past and move on is a weak acknowledgment. Also, it is a deflection without justification of what was done, what continues to be done, and how deeply it still wounds the past and present. Too often, the powers that be offer sympathy without accountability. Kind of like “thoughts and prayers” go out to the victims after a mass shooting. Real healing begins when truth is spoken plainly, acknowledging that systems were designed to devalue certain lives. In the repair process, more than just an apology should be given; ideally, real attention should be placed on making our society more equitable.
My perspective is that truth should be coupled with tangible repentance. We are witnessing policies, investments, and reforms being implemented right now, with no moral courage on the part of many, for social and political convenience. Power should be used to dismantle, not erect, the things that further perpetuate polarization and division.
Daren, there are so many things I like in this article! These two jumped out at me in particular:
“Theologically, I see history now through the lens of redemption, God working through broken people and systems. ”
“We often talk about speaking truth to power. But we need the power to tell the truth. Truth, equity, and context for me are the foundation for fairness and justice.”
How do you think these two statements are intertwined, maybe, such that speaking truth to power is through broken people and systems?
Like you, I look forward to this day: “Scripture acknowledges the pain of empire but also points to a new kingdom of justice, mercy, and dignity. One which anticipates the day when “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).”
Hi Debbie, Thank you, I believe these are intertwined because redemption doesn’t bypass brokenness, it stops and works through it. Throughout scripture, God has always chosen to reveal divine truth through imperfect people and flawed systems. The prophets were human and limited, but were willing to confront kings and empires with uncomfortable truths. Likewise, speaking truth to power today means recognizing that we, too, are part of the very systems we challenge. (Renita Weems just wrote an article on the role of the prophet and why we should not seek the title because of the assignment on Substack.)
When I say “we need the power to tell the truth,” I am referring to both courage and capacity. The spiritual empowerment to speak honestly despite the fact the system resists it. Redemption means that even within these broken structures, God’s justice can still break through. That’s the glimpse of the coming kingdom, justice, and mercy flowing from redeemed voices within an imperfect world.
Daren,
Thanks for the good one-liners as noted above already. If there were to be an aspect of colonialism that you might explore deeper what would it be?
Hey Adam- AKA Mountain Man! I think one aspect of colonialism that I would want to have explored more deeply is the psychological and spiritual effects it left on the colonized and the colonizer. When you think about it, moving beyond the economic and political domination, colonialism reshaped identity. People were intentionally taught to see themselves as inferior and others as inherently superior. This internalized hierarchy still plays out today and is echoed in our institutions, government, theology, and, at times, on an individual level, in our self-perception. I would want to examine how faith, once weaponized for control, can now become a tool for liberation and equity within our society. I believe inner transformation is equal to structural reform. In my five-cent view, I think this can be a gateway essential for authentic healing and reconciliation across cultures and generations.
Daren, your statement truth will expose the full story, equity ensures all voices are heard, and context prevents history from being weaponized as we see today, ring true for me. How do you infuse that into your ministry?
Hi Diane. In my context, I strive to make truth, equity, and living authentically realistic principles rather than mere ideas. I seek to honor truth in the preaching moment at times confronting both personal sin and systemic injustice. Equity is practiced by ensuring diverse voices young and old, male and female, rich and poor rehsare heard and valued in leadership and worship. The backdrop to my NPO is the absence of young adults in inner-city churches. By bringing these together, ministry is twofold just proclamation but also transformation. Using the churchas a creative space where people can see God’s justice, grace, and love reflected from both the pew and the pulpit.
Thank you for your post. I appreciate how you integrate your personal experience, cultural context, and theological perspective while wrestling with the complexities of colonialism, slavery, and reconciliation.
How do you personally balance the tension between acknowledging the profound moral wounds of colonialism and slavery, while also recognizing potential benefits or progress that emerged? How do you navigate conversations about these topics with others who may see history more simplistically, especially in ways that allow for truth-telling and reconciliation without excusing wrongdoing?
Hey Chad,Thanks Brother. I enjoy your questions as much as your posts. Balancing the tension requires humility and honesty. When addressing these issues I will center the conversation on human cost acknowledging that progress built on slavery, colonialism and any other means of exploitation carries an ethical debt. This is not always received well however, any benefit cannot erase the suffering it was built upon. However, I also believe maturity allows us to hold grief and growth in the same hand to plow forward. Truth-telling should be accompanied by accountability and reconciliation authentically requires empathy.
Some of the weighty lines in your post:
“history is always lived in shades of grey.”
“Hearing the Malay struggle in South Africa was an eye-opener. This harsh truth and complexity do not absolve Western colonialism; rather, it deepens accountability.”
Daren, it seems like you have not been swayed towards any thought that colonialism is merely getting a bad rap. And good. The costs have been high, and as I would contend, far outweigh the benefits. After engaging with Black and Biggar, and leaning in with curiosity, is there any insight on the positive impact of the Colonial era, even if you disagree with it, that is clearer to you than before?
Hey Joel. There is some complexity in this but not as much. I believe the cost of colonialism far outweighs the benefits. Black and Biggar have challenged me to see how deeply intertwined tragedy is. I do better recognize and have learned that some infrastructures, educational systems, and global networks established during the colonial era became conduits for later empowerment and independence movements. But my acknowledgment of “positive impact” must be held against the foundational backdrop of a moral weight of injustice.
Hi, Daren, thank you for the straightforward post. With regards to the costs and benefits of colonialism, you said, “Colonialism undeniably has inflicted profound moral wounds. Looking at enslavement, the erasure of culture, and exploitation, these are the major culprits.” I am in total agreement that even with the benefits of colonialism, it does not give an excuse, or as one described it as items on a balance sheet. In your own perspective, what would be a better way to reconcile these – the negative and the positive effects of colonialism? Thank you again, Daren, for the great post.
Hey Noel, in your words, keeping it straightforward, a better way to reconcile begins with truth-telling that refuses to sanitize either side. We must name all of the exploitation, racism, and violence for what it was and brought forth as a result. We can also acknowledge the structures, ideas, and movements that later contributed to progress. The goal should never be trying to balance pain with progress, which I totally disagree with.
Thank you, Daren.