A talk by Prof. Mohan Dutta on Colonial Divide & Rule
In this insightful lecture, Professor Mohan Dutta critically analyzes the colonial divide and rule strategy, examining its historical implementation and its enduring relevance in contemporary contexts. He elucidates how this strategy has been employed to exert control over colonial subjects and draws connections to present-day scenarios. Professor Dutta illustrates the perpetuation of this divide and rule tactic through strategies aimed at fragmenting Maori communities, separating them from ethnic migrant groups. Moreover, he delves into the transformative process of decolonization, emphasizing its role in fostering connection and unity among diverse communities.
Professor Mohan Dutta, Dean’s Chair Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE), has been commended by the NCA with the Presidential Citation for his impact as an activist-scholar in the #CommSoWhite movement.
The movement began as a result of growing recognition that the communication field was mainly dominated by white perspectives and preferences, which affected how people were recognised by their work. Resulting research supported the movement as it revealed how the field has historically ignored the contributions of scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Professor Dutta says he’s humbled to be part of a broader movement that is creating generative changes for minoritised scholars.
“Communication as a discipline is rooted in the intersections of colonialism and Empire, having historically worked to systematically erase diverse forms of scholarship. This is reflected in the plethora of ways in which knowledge is organised in the discipline. The #CommSoWhite movement is a critical part of the conversation to build spaces for transformation.”
Professor Dutta’s contributions involved efforts to uplift all minoritised communities in the discipline, including writing blog posts, developing interventions on digital platforms and collaborating with other activist scholars in the field. Together, they established digital spaces where scholars could express their experiences and challenges regarding inclusion in the discipline.
Alongside Syracuse University’s Professor Amardo Rodriguez and Georgia Southern University’s Associate Professor Elizabeth Desnoyers-Colas, Professor Dutta co-edited the special issue of Departures in Critical Qualitative Research on ‘Merit, Whiteness and Privilege’. In his role as Editor of the Journal of Applied Communication Research, Professor Dutta played a key role in establishing a platform for diverse forms of scholarship addressing communication practice. This initiative involved launching a new section within the journal titled ‘Communication Intervention’, which sought to highlight a wide range of community-engaged, place-based scholarship.
While grateful for this recognition, Professor Dutta says there is still much work to be done in advancing equity and inclusivity within academic spaces.
“We need to continue to build critical interventions that bring about changes to how scholarship is understood and recognised. Doing this work brings about risks from being targeted by structures of whiteness, and my current energies are focused on how we safeguard academic spaces for scholars doing the brave work of challenging these structures.”
About the National Communication Association
The NCA advances communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific and aesthetic inquiry. The NCA serves the scholars, teachers, and practitioners who are its members by enabling and supporting their professional interests in research and teaching.
Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, the NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships and the use of knowledge about communication to solve human problems.
Professor Mohan Dutta reads tweets in response to his message supporting Te Tiriti. In reading out these messages, he juxtaposes the divisive ideology of xenophobic white supremacy with the principles of aroha and manaakitanga that emanate from spaces dedicated to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. By advocating for the honoring of Te Tiriti, Professor Dutta elucidates the pathway toward fostering inclusivity, respect, and reciprocity within society.
Contrast the xenophobic white supremacy with the aroha and manaakitanga that emerge from spaces committed to Te Tiriti. Tells you exactly where our safety lies as ethnic migrants. Honour Te Tiriti. #TeTiriti#Waitangipic.twitter.com/DfQ55a36Jd
White Supremacy, the Intersections of Anti-Māori Hate and Anti-Migrant Racism: The Targeting of Te Tiriti This talk explores the convergence between anti-Māori hate and anti-migrant racism in the context of the attack on Te Tiriti. It notes that the white supremacy that seeks to undermine Te Tiriti is also the ideology that seeks to silence and expel migrants of colour. Based on the analysis, it argues for migrant- Māori solidarity based on Te Tiriti as the foundation for sustaining social cohesion in Aotearoa.
In this insightful video on Waitangi Day, CARE Director Professor Mohan Dutta critically unpacks the concepts underlying messages targeting migrant communities, highlighting how they undermine Te Tiriti. He discusses how racism shapes the messages targeting Maori, emphasizing the parallel with those directed at migrants. Professor Dutta underscores the interconnectedness of these issues, shedding light on the pervasive nature of discriminatory rhetoric and its detrimental effects on both indigenous and migrant communities.
In this brief talk, Professor Mohan Dutta will explore the demolition of Babri Masjid that shapes the movement for the Ayodhya Temple, in the form of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He will trace the role of the Indian diaspora in the architecture of Hindutva violence and the network of populist politics. Activists from the diaspora and challenging hate will respond to the talk.
In this talk, Professor Mohan Dutta discusses the politics of hate reflected in the celebration of the establishing of the foundation for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which sits on the demolition of the Babri masjid.
We wrap up the year congratulating our Director, Professor Mohan Dutta, for being ranked among the Top 2 Percent scientists globally published by Stanford University. In these rankings, Professor Dutta is ranked first in Aotearoa New Zealand in his discipline.
Being recognised in our own College, the Massey Business School, for our research excellence, gives us joy, says Prof. Mohan Dutta. CARE is grateful to the significant contributions made by Dr. Phoebe Elers as a postdoctoral fellow. Phoebe has led a range of culture-centered interventions and is an important contributor to the theorising of the culture-centered approach (CCA).
