wretched-of-the-earth-frantz-fanon

90 THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTHGRANDEUR AND WEAKNESS OF SPONTANEITY91considered them brutes, respond very favorably to such measures.These psychological devices defuse their hatred. Experts and sociologistsare a guiding force behind these colonialist maneuversand conduct numerous studies on the subject of complexes-thecomplex of frustration, the complex of aggressiveness, andcomplex of colonizability. The colonized subject is upgraded,and attempts are made to disarm him psychologically and, natuwitha few coins. These paltry measures and clever windowdressing manage to achieve some success. The colonizedsubject is so starved of anything that humanizes him, even if it isthird rate, that these trivial handouts in some cases manage toimpress him. His consciousness is so vulnerable and so inscrutablethat it is ignited by the slightest spark. The great undiscriminatingthirst for enlightenment of the early days is threatened atevery moment by a dose ofmystification. The violent, unanimousdemands of the revolution, which once lit up the sky, nowto more modest proportions. The raging wolf, rabid with hunandthe whirlwind, blowing in a genuine wind of revolt, mayrendered completely unrecognizable if the struggle continues,and it does continue. The colonized subject is at constantrisk of being disarmed by any sort of concession.The leaders of the insurrection discover this instability ofcolonized with horror. At first disconcerted, they then realize theto explain and ensure that the colonized's consciousnessdoes not get bogged down. In the meantime the war goes on,the enemy organizes itself, gathers strength and preempts thestrategy the colonized. The struggle for national liberation isnot a question of bridging the gap in one giant stride. The epicis played out on a difficult, day-to-day basis and the sufferingendured far exceeds that of the colonial period. Down in thetowns the colonists have apparently changed. Our people arehappier. They are respected. A daily routine sets in, and the colonizedengaged in the the people who must continue togive it their support, cannot afford to give in. They must not thinkthe objective has already been achieved. When the actual ob­jectives of the struggle are described, they must not think theyare impossible. Once again, clarification is needed and thepeople have to realize where they are going and how to getthere. The war is not one battle but a succession oflocal struggles,none of which, in fact, is decisive.There is therefore a need to save one's strength and not wasteit bv throwing everything into the balance. The reserves of coloarefar richer and more substantial than those thecolonized. And the war goes on. The enemy digs in. The greatshowdown is not for today or for tomorrow. In fact it began onthe very first day, and will not end with the demise of the enemyquite simply when the latter has come to realize, for a numberof reasons, that it is in his interest to terminate the struggleand acknowledge the sovereignty of the colonized people. Theobjectives of the struggle must not remain as loosely defined asthey were in the early days. If we are not careful there is the constantrisk that the people will ask why continue the war, everythe enemy makes the slightest concession. We have becomeso used to the occupier's contempt and his determination tomaintain his stranglehold, whatever the cost, that any semblanceof generosity or any sign of goodwill is greeted with surprise andjubilation. The colonized then tend to break into song. Themilitant must be supplied with further, more searching explasothat the enemy's concessions do not pull the wool overhis eyes. These concessions, which are nothing but concessions,do not address the essence of the problem, and from the colonized'sperspective, it is clear that a concession does not truly address theproblem until it strikes the heart of the colonial regime.To be more the occupier can easily phase out the vioaspectsof his presence. In fact, this dramatic phasing outnot only spares the occupier much expense but also has thether benefit of allowing him to better concentrate his powers.But there is a heavy price to pay: to be exact, the price of a more",.,..""."""" control over the country's future. Historical exampleshave demonstrated that the masquerade of concessions and the