I thought this whole thing was ridiculous and offensive. This organization had a toxic work environment, so I didn’t dare object. But it is a problem, because it reflects a colonial and discriminatory mindset that impacts how the company views and treats its employees. Who has the power? Who is important? Who bows to whom?

Almost every country outside of Europe and Great Britain has been colonized at one point; and the impacts are ongoing. Some impacts are public and obvious – like in Canada, where so-called residential “schools” were used to “kill the Indian in the child”. Some are less well-known, like the link between Rwanda’s genocide and Belgium’s racial assignments. And some are so subtle and socially normalized that they’re almost invisible. Here are some ways I’ve experienced colonial impact in my life.