End of Post-Modernism

Modernism was a critique of the Enlightenment that tried to replace Enlightenment projects with new beliefs. Post-Modernism, however, doesn't offer a replacement. It is just critique. As a result a void is left after Modernism has been stripped away by Post-Modern critical theory. To fill this void people have built new critical theories that replace Post-Modernism.

One such critical theory is called  Post-Colonialism.  It holds that the world is divided between victors and victims, particularly in the form of subjugation by racist colonial powers. Post-Colonialists use tools of deconstruction to reveal hidden meanings as well as the hidden vertical power bias inherent in cultural structures.

Post-Colonialism offers a narrative and it is one of exploitation.  This gives people something to do, namely fight against exploitation and not just be ironic.  Post-Colonial action trumps passive Post-Modern ironic critique.  Large narrative trumps interest in minutae & nothingness (an example in the visual arts is Kara Walker). Post-Colonialism for good or ill fills the void left by Post-Modernism. This is the end of Post-Modernism.

Interestingly Post-Colonialism is a return to the past. In future posts, we will see how others have returned to the past in an attempt to get beyond Post-Modernism.