Nana Adusei-Poku on Time as a Political Tool in Decolonizing Education
In an essay released by Afterall in partnership with Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Nana Adusei-Poku posits that time serves as a mechanism of political control and an obstacle to decolonization within educational frameworks. Utilizing Michael Hanchard's notion of 'strategic temporal disjuncture,' she argues that historical and current delays—such as restricted access to knowledge during periods of segregation and colonialism—sustain white supremacist hierarchies. Adusei-Poku critiques diversity initiatives for prioritizing inclusion while neglecting essential content and knowledge deficiencies. She highlights that disciplines like Gender and Queer Studies are frequently isolated, allowing conventional curricula to persist unaltered. Additionally, the essay cites Fred Moten and Stefano Harney's 'Undercommons' as a refuge for resistance and survival beyond prevailing systems. Adusei-Poku advocates for a comprehensive, transgressive strategy that transcends mere institutional reform.
Key facts
- Essay published on 08 June 2020 by Afterall.
- Written by Nana Adusei-Poku.
- In collaboration with Museu de Arte de São Paulo.
- Uses Michael Hanchard's concept of 'strategic temporal disjuncture'.
- Argues that time management was imposed on enslaved people.
- Critiques diversity policies as insufficient for decolonization.
- References Fred Moten and Stefano Harney's 'Undercommons'.
- Calls for a holistic, transgressive temporal performative approach.
Entities
Artists
- Nana Adusei-Poku
- James Baldwin
- Richard Avedon
- Fred Moten
- Stefano Harney
- Sylvia Wynter
- Angela McRobbie
- Michael Hanchard
- Johannes Fabian
- Homi K. Bhabha
- Ernst Bloch
- Judith Halberstam
- Carolyn Dinshaw
- Renate Lorenz
- E. J. White
- Sara Ahmed
- P. Saner
- C. Seefranz
Institutions
- Afterall
- Museu de Arte de São Paulo
- Zurich University of Arts
- Institute for Art Education
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Europe
- United States
Sources
- Afterall —