Unthinking Mastery by Julietta Singh

Julietta Singh's Unthinking Mastery: Dehumanism and Decolonial Entanglements (Duke University Press, 2018) is a multidisciplinary examination of power dynamics, resistance, and the politics of mastery. Through a multidisciplinary lens, Singh challenges prevailing notions of mastery and expertise, particularly within the context of colonialism, capitalism, and systems of oppression. By interrogating the intersections of race, gender, and class, Singh invites readers to critically examine the ways in which mastery has been wielded as a tool of domination and control.

Central to Singh's argument is the concept of "unthinking mastery," which calls into question the assumptions and ideologies that underpin traditional notions of expertise and authority. Rather than perpetuating hierarchies of knowledge and power, Singh advocates for a reimagining of mastery centred on collaboration, plurality, and collective liberation. The book uses personal narratives, postcolonial theory, and close textual analysis to invite readers to dismantle oppressive structures and embrace alternative modes of knowledge production.

Unthinking Mastery argues that dismantling the myths of mastery — and reclaiming agency over knowledge production — is essential for building more just, equitable communities. Singh's framework offers individuals and organisations a way to rethink their own relationships with authority, expertise, and collective power.

Consider how Singh's framework might apply to your own context: Where does mastery function as gatekeeping in your field or community, and what would more collaborative, pluralistic approaches look like in practice?

Check out more:

• Unthinking Mastery – Julietta Singh

• Unthinking Mastery: Dehumanism and Decolonial Entanglements – Goodreads