FRANTZ FANON’S:
THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTH
IN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE
ALFORD H. FAIRCHILD
Pr Cae
‘The Wretched ofthe Barth (New York: Grove Press, 1968) is a
lasting testimony tothe geius of Frantz Fanon. Hailed as “The
Handbook for the Black Revolution," The Wretched of the Earths
probing examination of colonializaion, a compaling description
‘ofthe proces of decolonization, and a prophetic analysis of inde
pendence movements around the worl
‘The Wretched ofthe Earth provides a glimpse of Fanon’ grand
vision of international and inlereultural fas, and Fanon gives
speife prescriptions for individuals ad collectives that con-
tinue to Seek cultural and national liberation. Fanon's conclusion
underscores the importance ofthis work for African and Aftican
‘American ibertin, tobe sure; but, more importantly, itchallenges
‘Aicans throughout the diaspora to assume a leadership position
in bringing about anew, more humane world order. The Wretched
ofthe Earth sa serie of four fa-ranging and connected essays.
Fanon, a paychistist by traning, also presents 2 “series of case
studies” of paychiaie disorders that are tied to struggles for
Iiberaton.
CONCERNING VIOLENCE,
‘oncerning Violence,” establishes the premise
concerning decolonization—that i, “decolonization is always a
‘violent phenomenon” (p. 35; emphasis added). By decolonization,
Sirota aros ls tof mci ai
res ra ef
Soap Ae nee te
sane Shee as ae
ae std ene te
recto
ote eh mane Teo
cae Sa ae eet ge
ea tw ay
ear gamecucieasi lee sesame on
sense psa
Se ne a ach eh ow
ce eed tay a end
(cert ante ean) acd
(ub ct pene ty star ne
wth gn tet Se err
a nbsonbirs etal min
Sen i elec omer
aoa
a ge ino i
wis Sas ee
res pelt nc
rt alt gdp
tt ets cl
er le caso he
sc ha
oun miidtinteas een
Aiea nn
gute Sc he
srt se erent eo
SESSA tain nt Seas cine
use espera ans
“une eae mate oe
jchtamrensnararemmevcaeaad
etter ie ct eames
SRE ons coma
Fu FANON INCONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE. 183
‘united, that anew cultural form emerges, thatthe spirit of Haram
bee is bor,
‘Fanon incorporates a hydraulic metaphor in his analysis: The
‘colonized exist ina sate of tension crested by their poor material
and political status inrlationship to the colonicet. Ths tension is
‘lease in violence and aggression thats inclly directed within
(accounting for "Black on Black” crime and violence) but later
‘becomes transformed into thirst for Hberstion whereby the min
‘mur demands ate that the lst shal be frst
‘This emphasis on the cathartic release of tension reveals the
influence of Fanon’s psychodynamic training: He uses great deal
‘of Freudian metaphor inthis treatise, For example, in discussing
‘he need to release the built up tension inthe colonized, he writes,
‘The native’ easton [in dance) takes precisely the form of
muscular oxy in which the mest acteaggresiviy and te most
Impeling vieleace are canaized,traneforted, an conjured
sy. Mera ne liitsfor in reality yor papoue incoming
‘opete isto allow the svelte iid, te bampeted eres,
Hg to dssolvens ina volcanic enpion (9.57)
‘As seenin these passages, Fanon also uses rch, conceivably sexual
imagery
Fanon’s analysis is aso influenced by Marxist thinking in that
he fully recognizes the role of clas in the quest for liberation
although he hastens o add that class analysis eannot be divorced
‘rom the context of the racial realty created by Aftican colon
lism. He sees struggle as emanating from the peasant, the
lunperprolesariat
1s clear that in the colonial counties the peasants alone are
‘evotudonryforihey have nating lose and Cverything gan
‘The starving peasant, etside he cls sytem, isthe ist ong the
explted to discover ht only snare pays tp ),
‘The nationalist bourgeoisie, by contrast, seeks fo compromise with
the colonial system and may secretly condemn the peastns use of
olenoe,184 JOURRALOF BLACK STUDIES DECEMBER 17
bu Fanon i unequivocal in is tha itil be dough
sl th dota ie anh te. Pu
‘etn ere. Fon suggests hl he clo tem wil epi
teeta nine when th ntve dps th fervor ha chanc-
tect bewucreveluonay pint Poughot tise, Fanon
tresses wth i scope an ser of sory anno
Ble He corey contexts the AfRcan toggle within a
Tees omainaed by he two superpowers tht ae wig the
Tis rercuess ine sae efoto outmulertroiz ach
‘Sor Eon lens nkbetvesn he saerponerexpede
tre and he qui of Hein he Th Word
“Thor ely soromisl sms of mone whch inves ia
‘ity och se engine who ae afore in ech
TERS Sie wr colin te sce of ite Jeu ae the
bd ring fread cana by 60 fret (8)
‘hi mestage is cer for sa we ase wines he ira
seats saatoin Aa adhe npecedeted buildup Ames
Sand Sov wishing cade. :
inthe secon on "ilence nthe Inratonl Context.” Fanon
mae ihe np beter Fe a en He
Sil sages hat he pent cs of Eope were on
cso fom Aa, Asay and Ameca. Ths the ney
pond Thad Word counties ar ed ot oe the
tert soictes ofthe Wes or ss, haa new path
Sctning nunan ad intention reaoshs.
‘Mor pot, Fon cals fora esriaon of weal and
pons te decaf story of European Jomtien for his
tion
ve tr tomtmnrte en
sea era aT
pice culeaeiarenan racine
piece ctie ta atl eats
ees ieee tec
Seka Eee cries eter
from eiecnes usu
miotscstcuaminee eh
"l/FANON PYCONTEMPORARY PERSPRCTIVE, 198
Pointing tothe demands for eparaions from Nazi Germany
afer World War Tl, Fanon srdenty claims Europe's riches for
Africa: "Burope is hierally the creation ofthe Third World. The
Wealth which smothers her is that which was stolen from the
underdeveloped peoples" (p, 102).
1s, therefore, incumbent forthe independent Thid World to
‘orouphly recast the world economy. As Fanon suggests, the Third
World bas every justification for recltiming its wealth aid e-
sourees. The wealth that has been exacted and exported fom
‘Arca must be returned. Nowhere is this more important than in
South Africa, where for centuries the Afrikaners have exported the
‘eemendous mineral wealth ofthat region o European depositories
‘SPONTANEITY: ITS STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
1m the second essay, “Spontaneity: Is Strength and Weakness,”
Fanon assesses the djnamics between the leaders of strug and
the masses ofthe people. The leaders ofthe nationalist party are
frequently Westerized into having negative ates toward the
peasants, and peasants may be suspicious ofthe nationalist bout
seviie because ofthe laters adherence to Wester cultural forms,
their dessa language,
This natural tension between nationalist lesders and the “rank
and file” is used by colonial systems to create dissension ind
competition Colonial systemsmakea concertdeforto colonize
‘hementality”of the natinalis bourgeoisie and ose a8 "“spokesper-
‘sons those who have boon so colonized, Moreover, the nations
‘bourgcisio—those who assume leadership after te revolution —
are caught in an approach-avoidance conflict in seeking to be
independent ofthe colonial system but alo friendly with it
‘Thus itis within the lampenproltriat—that disenfranchised
sass of humanity —atere spontaneity resides and where one finds
the *most radically revolutionary forces ofa colonized people”
(p. 129), Fanon sees a particular place, within this cass, forthe
imps, dkehooligans, tbe unemployed andthe pttyrininal"(p. 130)‘who can redeem themselves in armed revolutionary struggle, The
Sse enced hs gan meres lsc
soda pen intoy—y aking phe eran sage
‘Perhaps the mast important message is that decolonization is
but inviable and ha nthe proces, asense of rational unity emerges
that acs asthe social glue fr the newly independent nation
lee neve connie ye pl vec
Seeley mae ples
SENSIS LSet oem eo
scars ean ovine tte rece mo ee
elite fing dew panel aetiavfbeumgc p17)
‘THE PITRALLS OPNATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS,
he hid ey, “Te ial of Nana Concours”
Fann ated nen confit even eran mi-
dle and erase The ome, omen he ves an
igen he cool ym manent guson
tod py of oe ca sd toned is cosa eer
tdby a tere esl bythe mc coy
Tor suggest tht mile lt, wich sae over a
ceo klein sine pare
ecole fc of ang secre an
Iss eigedppes or ero h note
amy” 9) Ths neat eden the lnc
iit sre pentane
Sor neg only pepe Fehon co
‘stent mle Cus ceing is penny 5
sig pt ts moet
‘Sarto insc Fan ae at tite chasers
litle moran he “business agent” of the Wester bourzoise
aor es ling serait
sp te We ie got ge: tnd
nvr fie development oars
thar Foon rsa he “oe of rope p13) Tht
Dato rae eee rf he Wesel pont
cl FANON WV CONTEMDORARY PERSPECTIVE 39
Agricultural workers are exploited, profs are not reinvested ural
andinterior areas are ignored, and large sumsare spent onconspes,
ous “daplay” items such as expensive cars, homes, and penonal
‘accoutrements. These tourist nations, these brotbels of Europe and
America, ae evident throughout South America, the Cangbonn
Aftica, and elsewhere inthe Third World
‘In this essay, Fanon also introduces the notions relate to “cul
{ural violence" the racist myths and beliefs conceming the pe.
Susmed inferiority ofthe African. These beliefs ar inaralzed by
the national bourgeoisie, who then tam their back on the peasant
Jterior and mini the colonial powers, Tis miiery and eton,
liveness als occuin the politcal parisofthe state But more tha
criticize, Fanon prescribes, He suggests that “the interior the bach
Country, ough to be the mos privileged prof the county. 186),
Goverment shouldbe deconsecrated and decentralized a priv
legod classes are tobe vigorously opposed
In concluding this essay, Fanon provides prescription that
‘demonstrates his vision and his compassion for hamsanty, “The
ational govemment, ft wants tobe national, ought to govern by
the people and forthe people forthe outests and bythe outcast
(205)
ON NATIONAL CULTURE
‘The fourth essay, “On National Culture,” i concemed withthe
problem of reclaiming national history ad culture asa procene of
Iibertion and a an aftermath of decolonization Fanon vous fog
xanipe, the passion involved inthe research on ancient African
civilizations and the rediscovery ofthe dignity and glory of past
generations. These efforts are seen to be the natural byproduct of
the colonial systems overt efforts ocbliterteindigonoee cated
forms.
In this connection, Fanon cals attention tothe fact thatthe
‘Buropean degradation ofthe African was not limited in national
tigin or ribalidencaion but applied tothe whole of Aisa. As
8 result the imellctalbacklesh is one that similaly transcends194 JOURNAL OF LACK STUDIES /OBCENBER 1%
national origin and trie. Indeed, Fanon points to the common
‘eugale fr culttl nationalism and cultural dentiicaion occur
ring throughout the Afican diaspora, notably in Nosh America
Focusing onthe scholarly work of native intellectuals, Fanon
provides an assessment of the identity transformations that are
Evident in their work. This analysis can be seen tobe in parallel to
the soiled Negro-to Black conversion experience. Inthe initial
phase the person has unqualified assinsltion to the colonial sy5-
tem including ts blif,attodes, and behaviors. In the second
‘phase the person becomes “immerse” nthe reelsiming of clr
‘and inthe thied phase called the fighting phase, the inelectal
‘marks on @emisde fo enlighten the masses, In Fanon’s words
“he turns himself info an awakener of the people, hene® comes &
fighting lieraure,arevoluionary literature, and a natonal tert-
tare" (9.223)
“this third phase, the intellectual vows himself body and soul
into the national strug (p. 252), an act that Fanon sees as
iempoatve:
“Tigh for national eure means inthe fit placer fight forthe
Tiberaton ofthe nation, that mel keystone which makes the
bing ofa catre possible. Thee Iso ote Hight fr cule
[thi an develop spt rom te popu sgl (238)
“Thos Fanon sees cultural ntionalismasa prerequistetonational
Tiberation and the liberation ofthe nation as necessary for the
renewal of culture, Indeed, Fanon suggests thatthe stugete for
rational liberation is a manifesaton of national culuc. tn this,
Fanon leaves us no choice because we either full our mission (of
‘iscovering and encouraging “universal values”) or we betray i
‘COLONIAL WAR AND MENTAL DISORDERS
tn somewhat ofa break with the preceding four essays, Fanon
includes four series of descriptions of psychiatric case studs,
"Those case studies cover the Scope of mental disturbances as &
sl FANON INCONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE. 199
consequence of eolonry ugg an ils
‘of colonialism for vim of colin
fn bet epee ne cn of on
Coto area tine fx
«coming gps witli, and Fanon
imps hat the mth ofthe clo powers crumbles under he
Stag San sng an aceon ce
ingisasmashingof heresy bases on wichita Teams
ofthese case ste underscores the fat arith sapere
‘vborinateroleratensisin colonia stuton hat gre te
riminsiy and ee soil nd personal patblogen
CONCLUSION
Fons “Conesonna det ape
tarsal indivi
astoramionthencet nan omae no s
stealer orecton of fuepear malta eh
‘he wrt "slomi an spit dnepa (p31) eal
on sto ite esr vert toch new eoane
Peas singh Wer werd as enegue ae
Inde Fanon ais nthe Tid Won ove te pblens—
human lstionstipe th Europes teen bose oh
is aatesion ofthe Ted Worl sting now ison of Man
(319, of oiling he cine commited by Europe test
exert nr anny swan song toa
ihr than oh sn taion, which woul te amo a osene
caricature” (p, 315). —
Taine nian ingen
ene" tosetsfotae (p31, Te dao
rapier oe to a ocr ar
ant. And therein es hci an the poss
the Black scholar in America, nine
Altri ee PA el
tu fon ey.
esis espaons pende fi cee Bat ao,
eh ae Pig ad Ba de at ier