What Is Intellectual Neo-Colonialism—and Why It Matters

Written by Vero Kitsuné

Let’s talk about something that’s often hard to name but easy to feel—especially if you’re a creative from a historically marginalized culture navigating predominantly white, Western, or Eurocentric spaces: Intellectual Neo-Colonialism.

It’s a mouthful, yes. But it’s also very real.

At its core, Intellectual Neo-Colonialism is the act of borrowing, appropriating, or repackaging ideas, aesthetics, and cultural narratives—especially from non-Western creators—without acknowledgment, context, or credit. It's the “soft power” version of cultural erasure. No one’s storming borders with flags anymore—but your concepts, your voice, your identity? That can still be taken, stylized, and resold—without you in the picture.

How It Shows Up

It can look like someone with more social capital suddenly adopting your distinct aesthetic.
It can sound like your political or cultural messaging being echoed back to you—by someone with a bigger platform and none of your lived experience.
It can feel like invisibility, even when your influence is right there in front of everyone.

And most of the time, it comes with a shrug:

"We’re all inspired by each other."
"Everything is an interpolation."
"It’s just a coincidence."

But here’s the thing: when creators from marginalized backgrounds spend years carving out their voice, their look, and their message—only to watch someone with more privilege co-opt it for aesthetic or commercial gain—it’s not just “inspiration.” It’s extraction.

Why It Matters

Because power dynamics still shape whose voices are amplified and whose are ignored.
Because colonization didn’t end—it just shifted into more subtle, insidious forms.
Because artists of color are still told they’re “too much,” “too political,” or “too niche”—until someone else repackages their work and suddenly it’s “innovative.”

If we don’t talk about Intellectual Neo-Colonialism, we allow it to thrive unchecked.
We let people build their platforms on the backs of others without recognizing the roots they’re drawing from.

This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about giving credit. It’s about context. It’s about equity.
It’s about reminding each other that representation without recognition isn’t progress—it’s plagiarism with better PR.

What We Can Do

• Speak up when we see ideas being lifted without credit.

• Honor the source—not just the surface.

• Create space for marginalized voices to define themselves, rather than be defined by others.

• Support original artists and call out the systems that reward replication over authenticity.

We all borrow. We all remix. That’s how art evolves.
But there’s a difference between homage and hijacking.
And we have to be able to talk about that.

Have you experienced or witnessed Intellectual Neo-Colonialism in your scene or industry? Let’s name it. Let’s unpack it. And let’s build a culture that values originality with integrity.