Let’s take a moment to reconsider the term colonialism. What comes to mind when the word strikes your brain and think about the concept? What kind of connotation does it hold for you, is it heavy? Or does it glide swiftly above your head without a strong emotional attachment?

Colonialism can be defined as the practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

We all have different reactions and perspectives on the meaning of the term, based on our family histories, even depending on how we think. To some individuals, it can hold little significance, but the concept of colonialism as a whole is still beyond burdening in this country and many colonized countries alike.

I believe that a lot of people are unaware of the impact colonialism continues to make in the United States and are oblivious to the fact that only a short amount of time has past since Europeans first came to this country. If I’m being honest, I was a pretty naïve 7 year old, who learned about the Mayflower boat that came all the way to America as if there was no history of the country before then. I read stories about Jamestown, the hardships that settlers endured, from disease to lack of resources. I was fascinated with the colonial era and got my own bonnet to wear around the house. (Which, yes, I’m cringing as I realize I still have it somewhere.) Either way, all of the history I should've got about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade or exactly how American became "great" was missing from my public school elementary syllabus. It was completely swept under the rug.

My problem with the definition mentioned earlier is simply that it is a term that loosely refers to the past, when colonial efforts are processes that continues to unravel micro and macro issues in our society. It's critical to weigh the role of colonialism when considering the social issues in our country, which is why I prefer to use the term colonization instead because it is an ongoing process until the cycle is broken.

I'm not here to push a political agenda, though it sounds like it. I'm not going to provide you all of the facts or research because for now, I simply want to plant the seed, should it be necessary for you. Just think about how our economic and societal structures are set up as such where asserting dominance over others yields profit.