Colonization as an ongoing process

In their respective works, William Cronon and Max Liboiron both articulate colonization as an ongoing process. However, the two authors differ in how they conceptualize this complex phenomenon. While Cronon views colonization primarily as an ecological issue, Liboiron highlights the importance of recognizing its social implications. Cronon’s work “Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists and Ecology of New England” focuses on how colonization transformed forests and ecosystems in colonial America. He argues that before European settlers arrived, indigenous societies had already shaped the land with sustainable practices such as crop rotation or burning brush (Cronon). After Europeans colonized North America these pre-existing methods were replaced by a system focused on short-term gains through clear cutting forests to make way for agriculture or livestock grazing. According to Cronon, this shift caused lasting damage to both human livelihoods and nature which he believes continues into the present day. Liboiron takes a slightly different approach by focusing further upstream at how colonialism is perpetuated over time through cultural norms—specifically those related to consumption. In his essay “Colonialism is Not Over Yet” he asserts that modern consumption patterns are rooted in colonial legacies which continue to privilege certain groups while marginalizing others (Liboiron). By viewing colonialism as more than just a historical event limited to distant lands it becomes easier for people today to recognize everyday practices that perpetuate unequal power dynamics even without realizing it. Thus instead of only seeing environmental destruction from European contact we can begin looking beyond into its broader cultural impacts across various aspects of life. While Cronon and Liboiron take different paths towards discussing colonization one thing remains constant: colonization has far reaching implications that change landscapes both physically and socially throughout history up until today. As we learn more about this intricate phenomenon our understanding deepens which allows us not only develop better solutions but also form stronger communities built on mutual respect rather than hatred.