Gilroy
Paul Gilroy - blog tasks
Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet 170: Gilroy – Ethnicity and Postcolonial Theory. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets or you can access it online here using your Greenford Google login.
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:
1) How does Gilroy suggest racial identities are constructed?
Racial identities are caused by historical conflicts that have brought different groups into opposition. That is not to say that there were no human differences before historical conflict between different groups; different human groups existed but their differences were not defined by ‘race’ lines.
2) What does Gilroy suggest regarding the causes and history of racism?
Racism is not caused by the clash of two or more races – racism is not a natural phenomenon. Instead, Gilroy states that racial difference and racial identities are the product of racial oppression.
Ethnic absolutism is a line of thinking which sees humans are part of different ethnic compartments, with race as the basis of human differentiation. Gilroy is opposed to ethnic absolutism as it is counter to his argument that racism causes race.
4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?
Diaspora means a scattering of people, from the original place to elsewhere. Diasporas are considered to comprise of members of ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious groups who live in countries to which their ancestors migrated.
5) What did Gilroy suggest was the dominant representation of black Britons in the 1980s (when the Voice newspaper was first launched)?
Diaspora means a scattering of people, from the original place to elsewhere. Diasporas are considered to comprise of members of ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious groups who live in countries to which their ancestors migrated.
Diasporas are considered to comprise of members of ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious groups who live in countries to which their ancestors migrated. This tension between the national ideology and the diasporic ideologies helps to create the diasporic identity.
7) Complete the first activity on page 3: How might diasporic communities use the media to stay connected to their cultural identity? E.g. digital media - offer specific examples.
Diaspora communities around the world use many media platforms to maintain cultural identity, strengthen community ties, and stay connected to their roots despite physical distance from their homeland. Digital media, in particular, has played a key role in both fostering these connections and in facilitating global discourse around issues affecting these communities.
One example is Koy 2012:
Impact on Cultural Identity: The response to Kony 2012 exemplifies how diaspora communities, particularly those of African descent, used digital media to challenge a narrative of victimhood and to advocate for a more nuanced understanding of African political and social contexts. African voices, often sidelined in mainstream media, were able to engage with global audiences, reshape the discourse around African issues, and challenge external perceptions of Africa as "a place in need of saving."
8) Why does Gilroy suggest slavery is important in diasporic identity?
Slavery was only rejected when it was revealed as incompatible with enlightened rationality and capitalist production. Gilroy argues that the figure of the black slave of ‘the Negro’ provided enlightened thinkers and philosophers an insight into concepts of property rights, consciousness and art.
9) How might representations in the media reinforce the idea of ‘double consciousness’ for black people in the UK or US?
- The dominant representations of black males, primarily in the US, is either a rapper, criminal or gang member, or an athlete.
- The dominant representations pf black males in the UK is associated with crime poverty and other negative aspects.
10) Finally, complete the second activity on page 3: Watch the trailer for Hidden Figures and discuss how the film attempts to challenge ‘double consciousness’ and the stereotypical representation of black American women.
10) Finally, complete the second activity on page 3: Watch the trailer for Hidden Figures and discuss how the film attempts to challenge ‘double consciousness’ and the stereotypical representation of black American women.
- The film focuses on the achievements of three African American women who are scientists that faces rasicm, sexism and tension from their white male peers.
- The stereotypical representation of black American women is that
- This film allows the audience who relate to see themselves reflected in the movie.
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