Circular and Linear

This book is different from other books about colonialism, racism and white supremacy. It does not repeat the facts that other books have exposed so well. Rather, it examines the cultural and human triggers of domination and contempt for others. It plunges into their causes, which reside in the deep heart-mind of humankind.

It dares to look into the way we function as people in order to identify the mechanisms that foster our instinctual reactions when we meet "the Other". Our reactions may indeed be very powerful and difficult to control.

It will show how the North and the South think in different terms - the North in rational and linear ways; the South in cultural and circular ways (hence the title of this book).

It will redefine some essential concepts that lie at the base of colonialism and white supremacy. It will investigate the meaning of culture and civilisation, race, identity, whiteness, otherness, truth, primitiveness, development, evolution, domination, enmity, conflict and (re)conciliation.

This book will demonstrate the importance of choice. It will illustrate the path of personal and collective choices that lie at the root of all forms of freedom. It is because of the wide and rich range of possible choices that cultures are so diverse. It will examine the inner and intimate personal space in which we make these essential decisions that orientate our lives: it is called the hidden sphere.

Finally, it will examine the path of true liberation, against the diverse forms and tools of neo-colonialism; how the struggle for independence is configured; and what the functions of violence, of ideology, even of terrorism may be.

Each chapter will try to open and define this new path of liberation for all of us, because supremacy destroys us all. It is time we find other ways to relate and to practise true dialogue (i.e. true ways of peace and harmony). We need, all of us, to liberate ourselves.