Cognitive Dissonance And The Defense of Untrue Core Beliefs

17 August 2016

 - “Sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable, called cognitive dissonance. And because it is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief.” ― Frantz Fano, writing in Black Skin, White Masks.

Fanon, who died 54 years ago, wrote on the psychopathology of colonisation, and the human, social, and cultural consequences of decolonization.Fanon’s work inspired many anti colonial and national liberation movements across Africa and the world, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary African literature.