Abstract
This paper deconstructs the Europeans’ environmental colonialism in Native America and, in that, elucidates that the rhetorical tactics and fundamental motivations, which are employed to ‘other’ people, are essentially the same as those used to ‘other’ environment and nature with all of its ecological subjects. A qualitative content analysis, the study investigates this notion in Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony and Almanac of the Dead in the light of the joint critique of biocolonization and critical discourse analysis. Linguistically, it applies Fairclough’s approach of critical discourse analysis focusing on three scenarios of discourse: an acceptance of difference, an accentuation of difference, and an attempt to resolve difference. Through this critique of power, hegemony and identity, the research highlights the Natives’ objectification and representation by the white colonizer and the subsequent resistance by the Natives. The analysis reveals how the process of environmental colonialism, specifically biopiracy and biocolonization, is naturalized by the colonizer through discourse structure. Additionally, it deconstructs this discourse structure to attempt to resolve the difference exploited by the colonizer to exercise their colonial practice over the natives and their environment. Hence, the study discursively adds to the existing solutions to combat the environmental colonialism.
Highlights
The power structure has significantly exploited the notion of man’s superiority over nature and environment
The analysis reveals how the process of environmental colonialism, biopiracy and biocolonization, is naturalized by the colonizer through discourse structure
This exploitation is accomplished by discourse structure, as Luckett (2004, p. 512) suggests that the concept of environment is subject to human thinking “which is outside the system”
Summary
The power structure has significantly exploited the notion of man’s superiority over nature and environment. This exploitation is accomplished by discourse structure, as Luckett The relevant hegemonic practices have sustained themselves on discourse with associated rhetoric that creates, in Foucault’s words, ‘a regime of truth’ and establishes power structure to be maneuvered by the socially dominant. It is this process of “Naturalization” that has legitimized for the colonizer their colonial right to rule over the colonized and their environment. One associated concept with all its practical application is bioclolonization, which encompasses different policies and practices that the dominant colonial culture can draw on to retain and expand its control over the natives and their lands. It has facilitated the colonizer in the commodification of indigenous resources and knowledge
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