Identities: Post-colonial theory & blog tasks

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.

We are interested in post-colonialism and identity in terms of the representation of non-white groups in British media.

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)

Frantz 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'

Destiny Ekaragha

Destiny Ekaragha spoke brilliantly at the Media Magazine conference about being a young black filmmaker in London. She showed clips from two of her films - the short Tight Jeans and the feature length Gone Too Far!

Post-colonialism: blog task

1) Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV from Media Magazine 42 (MM42 from our Media Magazine archive - page 51)

2) List FIVE films, FIVE TV programmes and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article.

Films:

Anuvahood
Kidulthood
The Mirror Boy

Attack The Block

Shank

TV:

TopBoy

Casualty

Luther

Line of Duty

Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Online:

Brothers With No Game

Venus vs Mars

The Ryan Sisters

All About The McKenzies

Meet The Adebanjos

3) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above. To what extent can we apply Alvarado's and Fanon's theories to these films? Do they reinforce or subvert typical black stereotypes in British film and TV? Refer to specific scenes and events in the clips in answering this question.

Alvrado

-Humorous towards the Nigerian people. This is shown when the Nigerian brother comes out of the car and a shot of socks and sandals is show to somehow 'mock' his dress sense. The fact that we are able to see other people of the black community making fun of the characters rises the humorous factor

-Exotic- Typical African costumes and outfits. The mum is seen wearing the traditional clothing of Africa. The different accents is very exotic and different from the typical english/ 'chavvy' accent.

Fanons theory that black people putting on a 'white mask', can be seen as the girl protagonist is seen to be trying to straighten her hair to fit into society as the white people. 

- They talk in a 'decivilised' manor as gangters. This is also seen in the way they are dressed.