Final answer:
Mackenzie points out that the silencing of local knowledges was politically motivated by the goal of preserving colonial dominance and control over indigenous populations. The decolonizing movement has aimed to reverse this by acknowledging indigenous perspectives and rights. The challenge continues, with globalization and historical legacies presenting ongoing hurdles for indigenous self-representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Mackenzie, the political motivations behind the 'silencing of local knowledges' identified by the author are tied to the preservation of colonial dominance and control. This silencing process was instrumental in maintaining a hierarchal structure where colonial powers could assert their influence and repress the agency, rights, and voices of the indigenous populations. Efforts to empower and preserve indigenous cultures and knowledges have been part of a larger decolonizing movement, which is a response to the legacies of imperialism and an attempt to address cultural trauma and recognize the value of indigenous perspectives.
Through this process, indigenous peoples have fought for the protection of their ancestral territories, control of their knowledge and stories, and the right to represent their cultural identities, which are diverse and not monolithic. While there has been an international wave of pan-Indigenous movements, the struggle against globalization's decentered force and the homogenization of cultures remain significant challenges.
Recognizing these historical contexts, it is evident that the imposition and perpetuation of colonial dominance were the primary motivations for the silencing of local knowledges rather than the promotion of cultural diversity, empowerment of local communities, or acknowledgment of indigenous knowledge.