Computer Science and computing was largely developed due to military initiatives and research funded by the public. The US and UK governments invested heavily into this realm during their wartime efforts in the 1900s. Notable examples include the foundations of our internet (as ARPANET) via the US military.

In the global context that both of these nations exist in, their technological advantages were used across their respective empires and military excursions. Furthermore, both nations have huge influences across the tech, finance and IT sectors as a result of their historic establishment in this world. We routinely see A.I., surveillance, and technological devices of war impact those across the globe with profit incentive in mind. This is where Colonialism historically and contemporarily links into Computer Science.

Decolonisation is the process of analysing existing power structures within a society rooted in hierarchy, especially if this power comes from the legacy of colonialism. This ranges from objective structures of power, such as institutional power, all the way through to ‘intangible’ forms of power, such as language, perception, and attitudes within a society.

Without decolonising, our outlook on the world remains rigid and hard-coded in the ideals of power, power which removes our connection with those around us.

Computer Science is the study of computer systems, mathematics and technology. It is a broad field spanning through electronics, physics, and both applied and theoretical mathematics. The scale of technology and computing as it exists in our modern world no doubt means Computer Science increasingly means it has a social impact.

From A.I. to algorithms, social media, digitised services, and more, computing is an integral part of our day-to-day lives in parts of the world where there is a high level of technological enmeshment within a society.

Colonisation historically was the process of a nation’s army forcefully entering into inhabited or resource-abundant regions that they were not native to. There are many consequences of colonisation, including oppression, discrimination, mass slaughter, ecocide, and more.

Some notable examples of colonisation include the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade, in which millions of people were kidnapped and traffiked by their colonisers and forced into inter-generational exploitation. There is also the case of Britain across South Asia, notably India in which an estimated $45 trillion worth of wealth was stolen – this is on top of the tens of millions estimated to have died as a cause of British Rule.

That is a great question! To decolonise your mind is admittedly a difficult process, but the clarity you gain as a result of it often leads to deeper relationships, an increase in hope, and a passion for purpose.

Topics to learn about which are discussed on this website are:
Feminism [Sexism, Patriarchy, Misogyny, etc],
Racism [White Supremacy, Colourism, Empire, etc],
Sexuality [Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities, Heteronormativity, etc],
Ecocide and Resource Extraction,
Capitalism and Class [Social Structures, Institutions, Economic Structure],