2. Colonialism and Post-Colonialism
In 19th and 20th centuries, European powers held
colonies in Africa based on slavery and
exploitation of resources.
Many products of this era presented racist images
to naturalise colonialism.
We now live in the ‘post-colonial’ era.
However this term could be problematic because it
suggests the influence of that era is over (it is not –
big companies like BP still linked to this era)
Post-Colonialists suggest that there is a lack of
black images in media.
3. ‘Not a matter of what is but what isn’t’
Apart from Naomi Campbell there is
a lack of black fashion models.
Only recently have news reporters
become more varied in race.
The key news sources as still
Western (suggests white-west is
most trusted) BBC, CNN etc.
4. Bell Hooks
The colour codes – lighter skinned women are
more desirable and fit better with the western
idea of beauty.
Black women are often more objectified or
abused (eg. Hip hop) showing colonialist
views of black women.
Commodified blackness becomes the norm.
5. Edward Said – Orientalism
Western culture constructed against
assumed other (orient).
It holds both fascination and fear.
Eg. North Korean Bond villain in Die
Another Day.
6. Diaspora Identity
Those driven to migration have
developed a sense of ‘otherness’ or
Diaspora identity.
It is not always negative – can be seen
in multi-cultural music such as Asian
Network in the UK.
Gurinder Chadha shows a positive
Asian-British identity in films like Bend It
Like Beckham or Bride and Prejudice.
Mixed a classic British novel with
Bollywood cinema.
7. Alvarado – stereotypes of the black
community
Believes there are 4 types of representation of
the black community:
The humorous – entertainers, comedians,
icons and idols.
The exotic – models or the sexually
promiscuous.
The pitied – the needy black community
through events like band aid or films about
previous atrocities.
The dangerous – criminals, gangs, pimps.
8. Stuart Hall – stereotypes of the black
community
There is a blur in media between race and
class.
Outlines 3 base images in the ‘grammar of
race’ in ‘old movies’:
Slave Figure – dependable, loving, devoted
to mother/master.
The Native – because of their primitive
nature, they are cheating, cunning
barbarians.
The Entertainer – innate humour of the
black man (are we laughing at or with
them?)
9. Tessa Perkins and Stereotypes
Need to reconsider stereotypes:
Not always incorrect or negative.
Not always about minority or repressed groups or
those we have little contact with.
Not always simple and rigid.
You cannot predict someone’s behavior to a
group based on a stereotype the hold of them.
Some are based on some truth, and they are
important to understand social interaction and
interpretation.
10. Minorities in our media
Consider the roles they play in our media eg.
Villain, or helper. Can be known to rely on
stereotypes such as shopkeeper or arranged
marriages.
Can often be constructed in binary oppositions,
which can lead to negative attitudes or
emphasise boundaries between groups.
Can be argued there is increased diversity – rise
in independence of black community through
magazines like Ebony for black women or Asian
Women.
11. Minorities in our media
New problematic representations like ‘terrorists’.
Can introduce fear of ethnic groups.
The image of asylum-seekers of immigrants as lazy.
October 2003 Press Complaints Commission said –
“danger that inaccurate, misleading or distorted reporting
could lead to fear and hostility that is not borne out by
facts”.
There can be little distinction made in media between
illegal-immigrants, asylum-seekers, legal-immigrants
and non-white British citizens.
MediaWise Trust set out guidelines to prevent racist or
harmful reporting.
12. Hip Hop and its significance
Tricia Rose – it gives black female rappers
empowerment, and offers an insight into these
people’s lives.
Paul Gilroy – Offers diasporic experiences of
opposition to white capitalist culture.
Michael Eric Dyson – Political rap did not get
the support it deserved in the 80s or 90s so
has become flash, sexualised and criminal –
but has become more mainstream even
though it is frowned upon.
13. Black Cinema and its significance
Kobena Mercer - Black gay film shows dual
exclusion (being gay and black). Directors
such as Isaac Julian introduce varied
representation.
Jacques Lacan - Seeing iconic rappers who
are successful ‘young black males’ may see
them as a superior reflection of themselves
they could aspire to.
Michel Foucault - Archaeology is looking at
history as a way of understanding the
processes that have led to what we are today.
Take into account past representations and
how they have contributed to today e.g.
Blaxploitation films (70s)