1. Aligning with decolonial movements
What is the difference between reform and radical transformation?
Radical transformation addresses the root of the problem and therefore calls for the overhaul of existing structures. Reform advocates for change within the existing colonial structures without ever tackling the root; reform therefore entrenches colonization and perpetuates further harm.
Why is it crucial for interdisciplinary initiatives to operate outside of the constraints of institutions? In other words, what might be some difficulties of trying to organize interdisciplinary organizing within the confines of academia, for example?
To ensure we don't inadvertently further entrench institutions and divert resources away from the grassroots movements.
To avoid the systemic straightjacket effect and the frustration and waste of resources is results in.
Furthermore, not everyone within the institution has decolonial aims and therefore, interdisciplinary organizing within the system may simply replicate the hierarchies of power. E.g. "The people who think in terms of sitting around the table as 'equal research partners” miss the overwhelming truth that there is a hierarchy of the sciences and a hierarchy of interpretation, regardless of the greater analytic power of the social sciences in explaining [unhealth]." (Troy Duster, "Captivating Technology", ed. Ruha Benjamin)
STEM often dismisses social determinants of health.
1. Define "Elite Capture";
2. How has it showed up in global health?
1. The coopting and reconfiguration of radical, liberatory theories and concepts then used by elites for their own gain.
2. Elite capture of the rhetoric of "decolonization" in global health.
Explain why the initiative of pharmaceutical companies from the Global North siting their vaccine manufacturing facilities in the Global South an example of top-down knowledge translation?
It perpetuates the power imbalances between the global north and global south without addressing the colonial underpinnings of said disparities. I.e. it furthers the Global South's dependence and lack of agency within knowledge translation dynamics.
Your mom is really upset with racial profiling by police. She urges that we should invest more money into police training to mitigate this issue.
What is this an example of, and why is it inimical to decolonization?
This is an example of reform.
It entrenches the system further, by investing greater resources into police. Police reform is based on the assumption that racial profiling is a result of bad training or "bad apples", as opposed to racism being part of the design of policing. It fails to address the roots of the system, and that the system is functioning exactly how it was intended to.
Provide an example of how you, a global health actor, might unite with other scholars outside of global health to inform your decolonial praxis.
Join a community working group; attend a book club run by local radical Indigenous communities; attend an abolitionist panel presentation, etc.
The institution you are publishing with asks that you depoliticize the meaning of decolonization in your article. What do you do?
Multiple answers. E.g. refuse to publish, organize a protest, find another publisher with true decolonial values, publish independently, etc.
Come up with an example of the action-to-knowledge strategy for true decolonization in global health.
Recall
-Dynamic interplay of action, reflection and theorization that is deeply rooted within the fabric of social struggle.
-Decolonization is clearly defined and realized through direct engagement with the victims of settler colonialism, and on their terms
Multiple answers:
e.g. Palestinians have asked us to divest from zionist corporations and partners through boycotts. The company you work for is planning to manufacture their products in Israel. You organize a protest.
e.g. You organize a mutual aid fund for Indigenous knowledge keepers to establish a healing centre focused on Indigenous healing practices and ways of knowing for their community.