Frantz Fanon's seminal work, "Black Skin, White Masks," explores the concept of colonial and post-colonial society and its impact on the psychological and social experiences of Black individuals. Fanon, a Martinican psychiatrist and philosopher, critically examines the effects of colonization on the construction of racial identity and the subsequent internalization of white supremacy.

In the book, Fanon argues that colonialism creates a system of racial hierarchy, where the colonized are positioned as inferior to the colonizers. This racial hierarchy is not only enforced through physical violence and political domination but also through the internalization of racist ideologies by the colonized themselves. Fanon coins the term "colonial mentality" to describe this psychological state in which the colonized view themselves through the lens of the colonizer, valuing whiteness and devaluing their own Blackness.

According to Fanon, this internalized racism leads to a profound sense of self-alienation and a desire for assimilation into the dominant white culture. He explores the experiences of Black individuals who attempt to conform to white standards of beauty, language, and behavior, often at the expense of their own cultural heritage. Fanon argues that this process of assimilation perpetuates a cycle of self-hatred and self-denial, resulting in a fractured sense of identity.

However, Fanon also highlights the potential for resistance and liberation within the post-colonial context. He argues that decolonization is not just a political process but also a psychological and cultural one. By reclaiming their own history, culture, and language, the colonized can challenge the oppressive structures of colonialism and assert their own agency. Fanon emphasizes the importance of embracing Blackness and constructing a positive racial identity that rejects the white supremacist values imposed by colonialism.

Fanon's analysis of colonial and post-colonial society in "Black Skin, White Masks" provides a critical framework for understanding the psychological and social impact of colonization on Black individuals. His work highlights the complexities of racial identity formation and the potential for resistance and liberation within a post-colonial context.