ABSTRACT
In addition to mapping the historical terrain of critical psychology, this chapter argues for the importance of the Fanon's distinctively psycho-political register of critique. A historical overview of the Black Consciousness movement in apartheid South Africa is used to demonstrate the value of a form of vernacular psychology of resistance for decolonial anti-racist political action. What becomes apparent in our discussion is that the dimension of the psychological is, in fact, irreducible when it comes to the transformative agendas of the decolonial project. While highlighting the political factors of solidarity, consciousness-raising, agency, and courage, in our discussion of Steve Biko's approach to Black Consciousness, we also point to the shortcomings of reducing such forms of resistance and critique to merely to the psychological. In conclusion, the chapter argues that the longstanding tradition of critical psychology must, of necessity, grapple with the psychical dimensions of colonial racism and embrace the decolonial project. Likewise crucial is the assertion that a properly decolonial agenda in psychology needs to draw on historical resources – such as that of various modes of critique of and resistance to apartheid – if it is to attain its goal of bringing about a radical mutation in consciousness.
