Post-colonial perspectives

Race & Ideology

What is post-colonialism?

• A critique of western representations of race, ethnicity, culture, and human identity after colonisation

• The discourses that no culture is better or worse than other cultures

• The study of the power relationships between previously colonised cultures and people

Race & Ideology

• Colonisation and intermixing = lack of racially distinctive groups

• Perceived physical & cultural differences = basis for ethnic and racial groupings

• Beliefs that other racial/ethnic groups inferior traced back to colonial ideas/justification

Racialisation

• Race is a social construction

• Races do not exist outside representation

• Historical formation of race occupies structurally subordinate positions

Race & entertainmentColonial perspectives alive and

well…• Dark skin signifies different

nature/way of being from white (natural rhythm, good sports etc…)

• Ideas like this give unthreatening (to white) stereotype of black people

• Does not take into account socio-economic reasons

Race & entertainmentEthnic groups have been

marginalised by white media…

• Black R+B turns into rock, rap to hip hop

• Musicians turned into caricatures of themselves

• Asians portrayed as doctors and shopkeepers

• Minimal and stereotyped representations leading to lack of voice

http://vodpod.com/watch/2305030-australian-tv-show-airs-a-blackface-skit-calling-it-the-jackson-jive-michael-jackson-tribute-one-of-the-judges-harry-connick-jr-gets-offended-we-spend-so-much-time-trying-to-not-make-black-pe

Portraying Black People as Problems

• News media commonly represent black people as problematic

• 1960’s – threat to UK through immigration

• Modern – law and order problem

Via… • Dramatic headlines/ banner

positions/regurgitation of popular fears/ damning reports from authority figures etc…

• Language inflames situation• Socio-economic reasons overlooked

• Picked up on and repeated in film/TV etc

Third World Images• Localised inequalities

reproduced on world scale

• Famine, civil war etc oversimplified for western consumption

• Emphasis on aid/money as solution reinforces stereotypes

• Holiday shows/ tours etc show ‘exotic’ ideals

Race & Eastenders

• Black & Asian characters can have stereotypical roles

• Racial issues are tackled but not as an overview

• Times article• Characters are under

represented

• How does Eastenders define ethnic difference?

Look at these or other examples of non-white ethnicity in the news and entertainment media. Analyse via a post-

colonial perspective

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/asia

• http://www.destinasian.com/

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific or africa or south east asia

• Clips from Fresh Prince – Hip hop music videos -