In her groundbreaking book, “Goffe,” Tao Lee Goff argues that the climate crisis is deeply rooted in the colonial history initiated by Christopher Columbus’ colonization of the Americas. She critiques European colonialism for transforming the Caribbean into an experiment of exploitation, where modern capitalism, steeped in scientific racism and eugenics, emerged. Goff contends that this colonial legacy, which involved the brutal systems of slavery and environmental degradation, leads to a racial crisis manifesting as the current climate crisis.
Goff emphasizes the need for collective action to address these intertwined issues, asserting that understanding the implications of colonialism is crucial for contemporary solutions. Through her personal and ancestral exploration, she connects the narratives of different ethnic groups affected by colonialism, and critiques the scientific practices that historically denigrated non-European knowledge systems.
Her unconventional storytelling, blending environmental history with literary and cultural analysis, invites a rethinking of current approaches to global problems. Goff advocates for listening to those directly impacted by climate change, particularly in the Caribbean, suggesting that they hold valuable ecological knowledge. She encourages a shift in focus from traditional power structures to the voices of marginalized communities that have historically endured environmental catastrophes, emphasizing their understanding of living with nature and the urgent need for a new model of interaction with the environment.
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