'Not Counting Neeggers' (1939) by George Orwell

This is a short essay written by Orwell in which he critiques the attitudes of British imperialists toward colonial subjects and highlights the hypocrisy and contradictions inherent in imperialism. The title itself is provocative, intended to emphasize the ways in which colonized peoples were dehumanized and excluded from considerations of rights and dignity.

Orwell examines how British society often discussed concepts like democracy, liberty, and human rights but ignored these principles when it came to the colonies. He argues that the British Empire was built on a foundation of racial exploitation, and while British citizens may have considered themselves liberal and humane, their colonial practices contradicted those beliefs.

The essay explores the double standards in how the British treated their own citizens versus how they treated colonial subjects, effectively “not counting” the millions living under their rule in places like India and Africa when speaking of progress or democracy.

Orwell's critique serves as a reflection on the moral and political implications of imperialism, urging his readers to recognize the inherent injustice in the British Empire's practices and the need to reckon with its impact on those it oppressed. The essay is a sharp condemnation of the way colonial powers fail to see the humanity of those they dominate.