Racial-Economic Disparities and Environmental Suffering in Postcolonial Africa: A Reading of Mbue’s How Beautiful we Were

Abstract

This study examines racial-economic disparities and environmental suffering in postcolonial Africa through Imbolo Mbue’s How Beautiful we Were, drawing on Graham Huggan and Helen Tiffin’s theory of Postcolonial Ecocriticism. It explores how colonial legacies and neocolonial exploitation shape Kosawa’s socio-economic and ecological struggles, focusing on racial injustice, economic exclusion, and corporate greed. A qualitative analysis highlights the impact on Kosawa’s residents and their resistance, reflecting wider postcolonial African issues. Findings show that Kosawa’s Black residents suffer from Pexton’s oil pollution; tainted water, barren land, and illness, while being denied economic gains. Environmental racism, backed by a corrupt government and divide-and-rule tactics, weakens community unity and silences locals. Yet, Thula’s rise as a revolutionary reveals resilience amid tragedy, mirroring systemic inequities across postcolonial Africa. The study is significant for amplifying marginalized voices, linking literature to real-world African struggles, and advocating for policy reform and educational integration to foster equity and sustainability. It fills a research gap by analyzing the global silence on African environmental suffering and grassroots resistance, bridging postcolonial ecocriticism with racial-economic discourse.The study concludes that How Beautiful we Were exposes how historical exploitation fuels modern environmental and racial-economic injustices. Recommendations include stronger environmental regulations, community empowerment via education and activism, and political reform to end corruption and exploitation. Integrating postcolonial literature into education is also advised to raise awareness, aiming for a just and sustainable postcolonial Africa.