Rediscovering (decolonized) Futures through the Socially Minoritized’s Epistemologies

Promises of the future have always been important part of constructions of modernity, whether in academic conceptualizations or in day-to-day perspectives. However as Bruno Latour shows this modernity is entrenched in closed categorical thinking invisibilizing relevant contiguities. Additionally it is a colonial modernity that flouts systems of categorically induced reconstructions of (global) social inequalities, as decolonial thinkers like Ánibal Quijano and Maria Lugones argue. Moreover some sociologists state that crises of (late) modernity are related to loss of imaginaries of future, (western) societies thus eternally stuck in the present (Andreas Reckwitz) or see modernity as history of catastrophes of resonance (Hartmut Rosa). Both ideas point to a lack of versatile imaginaries and ultimately a „loss of future(s)“.

In contrast exactly those social groups seen as backwarded seem to have a distinct and more modern stance on the future. These are groups I conceptualize as socially minoritized, an important part of social practices of minoritizing being related to ideas of temporality. This is reflected in constructions of so called ethnic minorities or those of migrant background as non-modern and traditionalistic, emphasizing an alleged posture of being trapped in past worlds, devaluating their systems of knowledge. In stark contrast these social actors are used to navigate diverse social worlds in everyday life, as border dwellers in Gloria Anzaldúa’s sense, and are often well aware of their social positions thus being more flexible, versatile and adaptable, and hence the real moderns as Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui puts it in reference to indigenous people. This is regularly not taken into account making up a powerful system of ignorance. For instance even (Northern style) intersectional approaches are unable to grasp this as they cannot disengage from closed categorical thinking. I am going to reflect on epistemological implications, in part taking up Enrique Dussel’s ideas on transmodernity.