Sometimes it’s worth remembering that two things can be simultaneously true: (1) Institutions are capable of causing an incredible amount of harm, and (2) they are also spaces that provide a great deal of useful information about events and situations. This is particularly true for institutions within the imperial core, but it is also very true for institutions that were established outside of it.

After all, it’s worth remembering that many of those institutions were also established by colonising forces or suffered from imperial interference. Many of those same institutions still endure this, with some universities and NGOs receiving research grants and funding from North American philanthro-capitalists and aid organisations who implement specific conditions to receive it.

Yet, it’s worth remembering that this is where we need to apply a ‘critical lens’ or understand ‘creative reading’ of information we receive from all of them. There are questions that we should be asking of anything we read, rather than just taking for granted that it’s “correct” or “wrong” simply because of where it originates. Reports can contain multitudes: truths, exaggerations, misunderstandings, misleading conclusions, obscured facts, and falsehoods.

It's up to us to analyse the information they generate to the best of our ability. Read more…