CILHR seminar: Colonialism and Legal Knowledge: An Anthropocene Judgments Experiment

Summary

In this thought-provoking presentation, Professor Fuki adisi from the University of Bristol explores the relationship between decolonization, legal knowledge, and the concept of the anthropos scene. Through the lens of law and literature, she challenges the traditional legal frameworks and questions the centrality of humanity in understanding justice. By examining historical cases such as Gregson and Gilbert, she delves into the role of law in perpetuating colonial exploitation and offers a critical perspective on environmental justice and the need for new legal imaginaries to address the challenges posed by the Anthropocene.

Takeaways

• 📚 The presentation introduces Professor Fuk, an authority on decolonization and legal knowledge from the University of Bristol, who discusses the relationship between colonialism, legal knowledge, and decolonization.
• 🌍 Professor Fuk's work challenges the traditional understanding of law and its role in perpetuating colonial structures, particularly in the context of environmental damage and climate change.
• 💡 The concept of the Anthropos, which centers human activity as the primary cause of environmental degradation, is critiqued for its failure to account for the broader implications of human relationships with nature and each other.
• 📖 The book by Professor Fuk aims to deconstruct the question of the relationship between decolonization and law, exploring the relevance of decolonization to legal education, research, and administration.
• 🌊 The paper discusses the 'Anthropocene judgments' experiment, which uses frameworks such as black African science fiction and indigenous knowledge to reimagine legal concepts and the role of non-human entities in legal processes.
• ⚖️ The case of Gregson and Gilbert is analyzed to highlight the law's historical role in perpetuating violence and exploitation, questioning whether the current legal framework can achieve environmental justice.
• 🌱 The presentation calls for a reevaluation of legal metaphors and the need to unsettle the centrality of humanity in our understanding of justice, considering the broader impacts of climate change and environmental devastation.
• 🔄 Professor Fuk emphasizes the importance of extratextual and extralegal sources in answering questions about modern law, suggesting that new thinking within the law is necessary to address contemporary challenges.
• 🌐 The discussion touches on the global impact of colonial exploitation and its ongoing effects, including racial injustice, environmental disaster, and the need for legal scholars to consider these factors in their work.
• 📚 The use of science fiction as a tool for legal analysis is proposed, allowing for the exploration of alternative legal frameworks and the imagining of different responses to environmental devastation.
• 🌿 The presentation concludes with a call to action for legal scholars to engage with indigenous jurisprudences and other alternative legal frameworks to better understand and address the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Professor Fuk's research?

The main focus of Professor Fuk's research is the relationship between decolonization, legal knowledge, and the concept of the anthropos scene. She explores how the current legal system operates within a framework influenced by colonial history and how this impacts our understanding of justice, particularly in relation to environmental damage and the rights of marginalized groups.

How does Professor Fuk challenge the traditional understanding of law in her work?

Professor Fuk challenges the traditional understanding of law by examining its foundations in colonialism and its subsequent effects on environmental justice and the rights of indigenous peoples. She uses frameworks such as black African science fiction, indigenous knowledge, and Earth laws to imagine alternative legal systems that can better address contemporary challenges.

What is the significance of the case of Gregson and Gilbert in Professor Fuk's research?

The case of Gregson and Gilbert is significant in Professor Fuk's research as it serves as a starting point for her exploration of justice for environmental damage from the perspective of the ocean. The case highlights the law's protection of property and profit over the protection of life and nature, which she critiques as part of the broader issue of colonial exploitation and its ongoing effects.

How does Professor Fuk address the concept of the Anthropocene in her work?

Professor Fuk addresses the concept of the Anthropocene by recognizing the significant detrimental effects of human activity on the environment. She argues that the legal system's emphasis on human exceptionalism and the classification of certain groups as less than human has contributed to environmental disasters and climate emergencies. She calls for a rethinking of these concepts to better address the challenges posed by the Anthropocene.

What is the purpose of the 'anthropos judgments experiment' conducted by Professor Fuk?

The purpose of the 'anthropos judgments experiment' is to explore the use of metaphors and alternative frameworks to unsettle the centrality of humanity in our understanding of justice. By considering the perspective of the sea and its inhabitants, Professor Fuk aims to challenge the current legal imaginary and imagine new forms of jurisprudence better suited to address environmental devastation.

How does Professor Fuk's work relate to the ongoing climate crisis?

Professor Fuk's work relates to the ongoing climate crisis by examining the legal system's role in perpetuating environmental exploitation and inequality. She argues for a reevaluation of legal principles and practices that contribute to climate change and environmental disaster, advocating for a more equitable and sustainable approach to law that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all life and the environment.

What are the key themes in Professor Fuk's book on decolonization and legal knowledge?

The key themes in Professor Fuk's book include the critique of the legal system's foundations in colonialism, the exploration of alternative legal frameworks, the relationship between law and environmental justice, and the need for a reimagining of legal knowledge to better address the challenges of the Anthropocene and ongoing colonial afterlives.

How does Professor Fuk propose the use of black African science fiction and indigenous jurisprudence in legal studies?

Professor Fuk proposes the use of black African science fiction and indigenous jurisprudence as tools to unsettle and expand the traditional legal imaginary. These frameworks offer alternative perspectives on justice, humanity's relationship with nature, and the concept of personhood, which can help to challenge and reshape legal thought and practice.

What is the significance of the poem read by Professor Fuk at the end of her presentation?

The poem read by Professor Fuk at the end of her presentation serves to capture and convey her thoughts on the complex issues she discusses. It emphasizes the urgency of addressing environmental devastation and the need for a radical reimagining of our relationship with the Earth and each other. The poem also highlights the importance of using creative and emotional tools, such as poetry, to enhance our understanding and response to these critical issues.

How does Professor Fuk view the role of legal scholars in the process of decolonization?

Professor Fuk views the role of legal scholars in the process of decolonization as critical in questioning and reevaluating the terminologies and epistemologies that underpin the legal system. She believes that legal scholars should engage with indigenous jurisprudences and alternative legal frameworks to better understand and address the challenges posed by the Anthropocene and ongoing colonial legacies.

What are the limitations Professor Fuk acknowledges in her own work and in the field of legal academia?

Professor Fuk acknowledges that her work, and the field of legal academia more broadly, has limitations in terms of its ability to directly effect change, particularly in terms of physical organizing and tangible recovery of homelands. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these limitations and focusing on the contributions that legal scholars can make, such as providing language and frameworks that support the work of those actively engaged in decolonization efforts.