The Weaponisation of Happiness
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Sara Ahmed in her piece “Promise of Happiness” explores the concept of happiness, how it became and has become weaponised for colonial and oppressive purposes. Ahmed writes that “happiness provides a way of measuring civility” and that it is used as a “civilising mission” from “Western” countries to justify colonisation. She says that a “civilising mission” can almost better be described as a “happiness mission”.
Exploring this theme of happiness and colonialism reminded me of how the “Western” perception of joy has been to the detriment of colonised peoples. For example, colonisers who came to settle on Turtle Island viewed “Happiness” through the lens of materialism and individualism often disregarding indigenous interpretations of happiness which included collectivism and a connection to the land and its people.
The US settler colonial project and its enforcement of “happiness” through imperialism did not end in the 18th century but continues until today. In the 21st century, President George Bush attempted to “justify” the invasion of Iraq by saying to the American Enterprise Institute on the 26th of February 2003 that “A liberated Iraq can show the power of freedom…by bringing hope and progress into the lives of millions.”. This quote highlights how the assault and occupation of Iraq was done so in the name of the Iraqi people’s “happiness” and “prosperity” but ultimately led to the deaths of half a million people.
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Important point! Emotional manipulation tactics.