Concerning Violence

by Frantz Fanon

Angered by the racism he witnessed on Martinique during the Second World War, Fanon here examines the roles of class, culture and violence, and expresses his profound alienation from the idea of colonialism and its bloodshed. More than four decades on, Fanon's work still inspires liberation movements today.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, Theory, Sociology, Race, Africa

96 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 7, 2008

About the author

Frantz Fanon was a psychiatrist, philosopher, revolutionary, and author from Martinique. He was influential in the field of post-colonial studies and was perhaps the pre-eminent thinker of the 20th century on the issue of decolonization and the psychopathology of colonization. His works have inspired anti-colonial liberation movements for more than four decades.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to reread this essay in particular, though I’d like to do a full read through of Wretched of the Earth and haven’t gotten to it yet. Nonetheless this was 90 pages and denseee, so I wanted to log something. Anyways Fanon was right about just about everything (there’s a part where he cites and then counters Engels, and I agreed with Engels more; Fanon’s analysis works much more for settler colonies in the Global South than empires like the US regarding arms). Perfectly demonstrates that Palestine is the final 20th century-era decolonization struggle.

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colonialism, as Fanon stated is not a "system endowed with reasoning faculties" but "violence in its natural state". This book explains the colonialist system very well, from its dehumanisation of the natives to explaining how the native male liberation is a form of reconstructing himself as a man. I especially found it interesting how Fanon explains that the natives ideal radical transformation of society is not at all different from the settlers thought. Its "them or us". Therefore the native wants the same thing as the settler, the eradication of the other group. Although the native doesn't need to do it gradually as it doesn't want to enslave the other but kill him. Moreover, Fanon follows this with stating that the violence of the settler and the counter reprisal of the native acts as balance. One puts in the other responds, with the western hemisphere denouncing the native act.
The other thing I enjoyed was the ideas he had on the how the independent state should follow through the process of rebuilding their nation after the colonisers leave, in building a socialist base but with a superstructure that reflect their own culture and not of the West. He also highlights the problems these independent nations have when they are left on their own, with them being dependent on the European Market due to the specific agriculture the colonisers enforced the natives to cultivate. However he explains very loosely or give ideas on how to combat this.
What Fanon clearly has convinced me of is that of the importance violence has in the liberation of the people, either it being the working class of third world continents or in the Western Hemisphere. I find it fair to leave a critique of this book, therefore I will end this review with a question. What about the role of the women in the liberation of the nation from colonialism?

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

- made to read this for exams but would have gladly read it had i known how good this was going to be
- philosophical/political texts can often be so heavy with complicated language and concepts, but fanon was very helpful in making points clear and limiting the confusing terms
- he puts forward some plausible concepts which i find very intriguing indeed; combining a number of factors which determine freedom
- fanon talks about how the ‘native’ can be free from physical, psychological and economical constraints of colonialism
- what i found especially profound is how the ‘native’ is psychologically effected by colonialism and how over time, the colonial subjects internalise the role of being colonial subjects. furthermore, fanon describes how the colonists would reduce to animal-like behaviours and quite often act less human with every despicable act
- i also liked how fanon highlighted that despite a period of post colonialism, colonialism stills remains through economic dependence

[Jane Harris]

read again for an essay on immigration and settler colonialism BUT would highly recommend reading for other reasons/generally. Apt as ever

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I got this book a long time ago, from another bookshop that has gone kaput, thinking it would be about, well, tv violence, maybe.
Turns out it' more about nationalism and independence. Even though 'twas written after WWII, it's still relevant.

"2 centuries ago, a former European colony decided to catch up with Europe.
It succeeded so well that the USA became a monster, in which the taints, the sickness and the inhumanity of Europe have grown in appalling dimensions".

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An impressive essay against imperialism, colonialism and racism. I look forward to reading The Wretched of the Earth.

[Meli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for my college Latin American Politics class when we were learning about the psychosocial implications of colonialism. Powerful read. Would recommend and look forward to reading Fanon's other works (especially Black Skin, White Masks)

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A treatise against imperialism, colonialism and racism that – although it raises some important issues – is dated so that some of the terminology used is actually racist. A worthwhile read though.

[Sherkhan]

oi read franz fanon two books he s the best one

[Clio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanon's detailed outline of the process of decolonization and possibilities for a newly independent nation, though published in 1963, is incredibly relevant today. Fanon articulates the decolonization process: rise of racism and factionalism in a colonized country, mitigated by a nationalist party/political elite; the violence leading to independence in which the "native" takes back power towards a common cause; and the questions a newly independent country face as it attempts to catch up with the European values that so recently colonized it. Ultimately, Fanon makes an incredibly compelling case for the redistribution of wealth from European capital and urges countries to create their own destinies outside of European ideals.

"Two centuries ago, a former European colony decided to catch up with Europe. It succeeded so well that the USA became a monster, in which the taints, the sickness, and the inhumanity of Europe have grown to appalling dimensions."

Fanon's ideas can clearly be applied to the current state of the US, as we have clearly upheld the racial stratifications of a colony with no thought to the individual, only the progress/values. We failed and continue to fail decolonizing ourselves.

[Kathleen J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential. So very essential, especially for westerners living in the most imperialist empire, and most especially for white people. There is such an incredible disconnect between the world we live in, the way our society is, the way it was made and what we benefit from.....and the places and people that have been exploited and ravaged to ensure our society and culture exists the way it does. We don't consider the lithium batteries in our phones to have been mined by human labor, sometimes by children. There is a human cost to capitalism and it is extremely violent. Fanon's analysis is solid and accessible, whereas other critiques of capitalism can be too academic, wordy and dense. Violence is necessary for liberation movements specifically because violence has been inflicted and enacted on people in order to maintain the capitalist system of oppression.

[Michael Card · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much written for its time, those with a weak Knowledge of the Algerian situation during the post war years will find the middle part of this book to be lost on them at times. However its more broader themes did resonate especially when happening to match with the current situation in Palestine. The conclusion was a powerful idea for the future of the third world and one I wish would have come to be.

[lukoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

找不到英译版，中文翻译版有点普通，甚至还忽略了短文标题？（形式上重点）
但法农的去殖呐喊尤为深刻，第三世界（若目标）变成欧洲是一种诅咒，但历史似乎总在摇摆偏离航线前行。读完之后对法农和愤怒的联系略有兴趣，看到许多评论说法农往往与愤怒联系在一起，但读中译本的时候其实感受不到太多的愤怒（很多去中国化学者的愤怒反而更有偏激的味道），所以某种程度上也很好奇是不是惯性的将被压迫者与愤怒、暴力和hysteria（失常）联系在一起也是殖民者他者化被殖民者的一种惯性压迫方式 —— 愤怒者的言论并不是理性的，因此不能将其理论化或如同理论一般重视。

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Intro to African American Studies Class.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't think there was a single passage of this that wasn't useful. Fanon's not a writer I've really engaged with before but this feels like a good introduction.

[ben.wmv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stark analysis of the settler/native relationship and passionate argument for the necessity of uninhibited revolutionary violence.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who used the dichotomy of “good” and “bad” protestors during the George Floyd protests must read this.

[Merlijn Van Houten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great essay about colonization and the process of decolonization, and the violence that accompanies both. Unfortunately, it is still relevant today.

[hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

still insanely relevant today

[Alexandra Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Mister Weintruab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm beginning to think this guy doesn't like white people.