Identities and the Media: Post-colonial theory

Post-colonialism does not simply refer to the period after the colonial era. It can also be seen as a continuation of colonialism, albeit through different or new relationships concerning power and the control/production of knowledge. The notes sheet we read in class is available here.

Two key post-colonial theorists:

Alvarado (1987)
Four key themes in racial representations; often quoted in relation to the black community but can be applied to other non-white groups:

• Exotic (models; music artists; food)
• Dangerous (crime; gangs; socially dysfunctional)
• Humorous (comedians; sidekicks; quirky)
• Pitied (poverty)

Fanon: “Putting on the white mask”

Typically black stereotypes can:

• Infantilize - such as the 'cute' children of the Charity Poster or the 'simple-minded‘ 'Step ‘n’ fetch it‘ lazy comedian.
• Primitivize - The 'exotic & virile' tribal warriors or 'bare-breasted maidens' with a 'natural sense of rhythm‘. Sporting prowess.
• Decivilize - The 'Gangsta', 'Pimp' etc.
• Essentialize - Undifferentiated mass-'they all look the same to me'

1)  (MM42 from our Media Magazine archive - page 51). Pick three key points. 

Part of the problem when analysing black culture in the UK today arises from our dependence upon American popular culture as a model for critiquing representational issues.

The problem with much black representation is that it is continually anchored in ‘race’ or ‘issues’.

It‘s essential to establish that in terms of ‘race’, people classified here do not form a homogeneous group.

2) List five films, programmes and online-only productions:

Films

• Ill Manors
• Brotherhood
• Kidulthood
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Sket

TV Programmes 

• Casualty 
• Dr Who
• Citizen Khan
• Eastenders
• The Kumars at No. 42

Online-Only Productions

• Brother's with No Game
• Venus vs Mars
• The Ryan Sisters
• All about the Mckenzies
• Meet the Adebanjos

Tight jeans:  is a short film about three young teenage boys who are waiting for their friend. During their frustrating wait, a white boy wearing relatively tight jeans walks past them. After this, they delve into conversation about race and culture. Alvarado's idea that there are only four key themes of race representation apply here well. To begin, from the setting alone, the boys are represented as simultaneously pitied and dangerous. This is because the estate connotes a deprived lifestyle and crime. Moreover, their costume entails of weathered clothing - again depicting the boys as poor and therefore they are represented as pitied. Furthermore, the idea of gang crime is reinforced as the boys are sat in a three reinforcing the dangerous representation of the black community. More thematically, the short film also represents the black characters are humorous from their dialogue. Again, this idea of being represented as humorous is another theme of race representation proposed by Alvarado.

In Ekaragha's film, Gone too far, theorist Fanon is strongly applicable. His idea that black people put on a "white mask" is mirrored perfectly in the film. The main character of the film is embarrassed and tries to hide his brother's Nigerian culture. He goes as far to even claim they are not related. This rejection of his own culture fits Fanon's ideas significantly. Moreover, Alvarado's ideas are also relevant. The film is classed as a comedy - the black characters are often represented as humorous to audiences. Often, we are laughing at the 'uncivilised' (Fanon) Nigerian culture i.e costume, accents etc. Furthermore, Alvarado's representation of exotic as prevails in this film; this is seen through the Nigerian culture.