The decolonial turn. Critical considerations from Latin America

Abstract

This article sheds light on the criticism developed in Latin America towards the Modernity/ Coloniality group, the most visible expression of a theoretical trend that has established itself as very influential in academic circles. This relevance –and other factors like the greater circulation of the academic literature published by metropolitan universities (in this case the ones based in the United States of America)– accounts for the lesser impact achieved by the criticism formulated in Latin America. The article emphasizes the questioning of the Modernity-Coloniality paradigm by female authors who, from the perspective of the “decolonial turn”, would be described as subalterns with regard to Modernity and the West: Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui (Bolivia), Ochy Curiel (Dominican Republic) y Aura Cumes (Guatemala).