Decolonizing Wealth (Second Edition)

Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance

By: Edgar Villanueva

Narrated by: Edgar Villanueva

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

This second edition expands the provocative analysis of the racist colonial dynamics at play in philanthropy and finance into other sectors and offers practical advice on how anyone can be a healer.

The world is out of balance. With increasing frequency, we are presented with the inescapable truth that systemic racism and colonial structures are foundational principles to our economies. The $1 trillion philanthropic industry is one example of a system that mirrors oppressive colonial behavior. It’s an industry whose name means “the love for humankind”, yet it does more harm than good.

In Decolonizing Wealth, Edgar Villanueva looks past philanthropy’s glamorous, altruistic façade and into its shadows: white supremacy, savior complexes, and internalized oppression. Across history and to the present day, the accumulation of wealth is steeped in trauma. How can we shift philanthropy toward social reconciliation and healing if the cornerstones are exploitation, extraction, and control?

Drawing from native traditions, Villanueva empowers individuals and institutions to begin to repair the damage through his seven steps to healing. In this second edition, Villanueva adds inspiring examples of people using their resources to decolonize entertainment, museums, libraries, land ownership, and much more.

Everyone can be a healer and a leader in restoring balance - and we need everyone to do their part. As Villanueva writes, “All our suffering is mutual. All our healing is mutual. All our thriving is mutual.” Are you ready?

©2018, 2021 Edgar Villanueva (P)2021 Edgar Villanueva

Great book but not such great narration.

Edgar Villanueva is an amazing author but not such a good narrator. There is actually another version of this audiobook narrated by an actor, (Larry Herron) which is much more enjoyable to listen to.

A must listen!

Simply outstanding. He is a fantastic story teller and did a great job of making complex topics easily digestible.

Spot On

This is a excellent book. I hope it gets widely read and applied. We need to figure out how to distribute wealth, equitably, and constructively in this country and Edgar has great ideas on how to do that I look forward to seeking out more information from him in the future.

This book is medicine.

As someone who grew up in poverty, constantly feeling the need to prove that I wasn’t “that kind of poor,” constantly suffering the humiliations of having less than others in a culture that seems to think you get exactly what you deserve (even when you’re just a kid), so much of this book was a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t matter how much you grow and how much better you understand the world; it’s still hard to shed that sense of deficit.

The uniquely sane, compassionate, at once visionary and grounded perspective offered in the author’s own frank, friendly, and unpretentious voice is exactly what this mad world needs. I hope everyone listens and recognizes the deep wisdom of Villanueva’s words. Despite being centered in finance, it offers a fairly comprehensive take on decolonization, and everyone could benefit from reading it (I’ve been recommending it to all of my colleagues in the nonprofit world.)

If your work has anything to do with wealth, it’s a must read

This is an extraordinary book for anyone working with wealth. Whether you’re a fundraiser, non profit leader, or a wealth advisor, there are powerful notes on how to decolonize your mind and your wealth. If you’re not new to the topic you’ll appreciate there are new insights here that will challenge how you approach money and how you think about the impacts of colonization and how it causes us to relate to money.

Wow.

This was recommended to me by a college classmate. Has me thinking a lot about my life and career. Listened to the full book non stop.

An essential education!

Learned so much. And in a way that is easily absorbed. Greatly appreciate this book.

Must Read

Loved this! The author validated my thoughts and feelings regarding my views on Corporate American tactics in human service and related fields.

Paradigm Shift!

What he said! The author said it all while leaving me optimistic about my obligations to deconstructs.