Afterlives of post-colonialism: reflections on theory post 9/11

Inaugural Lecture
Afterlives of post-colonialism: reflections on theory post 9/11
Prof Pal Ahluwalia, Research SA Chair and Professor of Post-colonial Studies

The world of Antiquity and the Middle Ages was replete with monsters and satyrs. Modernity and civilisation is also shadowed by monstrous figures which constitute `discontent' and `the abject'. This paper examines the question of representation and the manner in which the figure of the monster has reappeared since the events of 9/11. It discusses the way production about the `other' has been disciplined and policed and offers some reflections on theory in order to consider how a post-colonial ethical stance might offer a better way to engage in the production of non-coercive knowledge.