Post colonialism theories (fanon, alvarado, said) - mr horsley

* Fanon
- Fanon reienforces the theory that African-american people would have to put on a "White-mask" in order to fit into society.
- "White mask" (Halloween)
Examples:
1.  The Arab is having to adjust how he behaves according to the white people. 
2. When white people visit other countries such as India the people who sell stuff usually adjust the way they act in order to fit in as they view Americans or British people as superior
3.  The Asian family have to put on a "white mask" in order to fit in with the white family; this is evident through the clothing of the men as they are dressed in English suits. 

* Alvarado
- The black stereotypes of Dangerous, Exotic, Humorous and Pitied
- "PHDE" - Pitied, humorous, dangerous, exotic
Examples:
1.  This image demonstrates Alvarado's point of black people being pitied. The example of 'single parent families' is significant as it is known to be common with African-American's therefore making people feel pity towards them.
2.  Chris rock is a famous comedian therefore reinforcing Alvarado's theory of black people being 'humorous'.
3.  The 2011 London Riots is an prime example of black people being stereotyped as being dangerous. As shown in the picture, the police have targeted an black British individual therefore showing him as a dangerous also, all the police members are white therefore showing the difference between the cultures and showing them as superior and safe. 
4.  This image shows the 'exotic' stereotype for African-Americans as their clothing could be considered as exotic also, the drum playing and musical side could be seen as something unusual therefore demonstrating the exotic side of black people.

* Said
- The theory of Orientalism; East vs West and Civilised vs Uncivilised. 
- "East vs West"
Examples:
1.  The image shows children in the Western society being taught with computers therefore showing wealth and how civilised they are as they are able to work with adults on technical devices. 
2.  This image shows the eastern society and how uncivilised they are as a child is having to beg. This demonstrates the differences between western and eastern as the western through the media is always shown as superior and civilised where as the eastern (such as in the picture) are shown as deprived, in poverty and uncivilised therefore relating to Said's theory as he states there is a defined difference shown between Western and Eastern (unnecessarily). 
3.  This illustrates the difference between western and eastern as a western girl is being kidnapped by a eastern person (evident by the hand). Therefore, once again relating to Said's oriental theory. 

Orientalism; Yasmin (post-colonialism) - mr horsley

1. Does the first ten minutes of the movie Yasmin, represent a positive or negative representations of British Muslims?









2. To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or dangerous eat?

Edward Said; Orientalism theory (post-colonialism) - mr horsley

ABOUT EDWARD SAID'S ORIENTALISM THEORY:

• Edward said was born in 1935 and died in 2013,
• Wrote a book called 'Orientalism' in 1978,
• Challenges the difference between east and west,
• From the start of European colonisation the west cam in contact with the less developed countries of the east,
• Edward says: The east is represented as being uncivilised and dangerous where as the west is represented as civilised and safe - these stereotypes are most commonly shown through the media,
• Said blames the Europeans for dividing the world into two parts; the east and the west (civilised and uncivilised) - artificial boundary are they are all human and there should not be a 'them and us' or 'theirs and ours',
• Europeans defined themselves as the superior race compared to the 'orientals' - justified the colonisation by this; saw themselves as doing a favour for the east as they though of themselves as 'doing their duty towards the world to civilise the uncivilised world',

Alvarado and Fanon theories (post-colonialism) - mr horsley.

ALVARADO:
Key themes in racial representations;
* EXOTIC
- e.g. Carnival, food, voodoo/tribes, clothing, music, rap.
* DANGEROUS
- Gangs, socially, dysfunctional (1 parent etc.)
* HUMOROUS
- e.g. Chris Tucker, sidekicks
* PITIED
- e.g. Children in need, white people raise money for others, poverty, comic relief.

FRANTIC FANON: 
* The only way black people would be acepted in the western culture is by putting on a white mask.
Typical black stereotypes:
* INFANTILISE:
- Such as the 'cute' children of the charity posters,
- 'simple-minded' / 'step n fetch' (black preform for white).
* PRIMITIVIZE:
- The 'exotic and virile' tribal warriors,
- 'bare-breasted maidens' with a 'natural sense of rhythm',
- Sporting prowess.
* DECIVILIZE:
- The 'gangta', 'pimp' etc.
* ESSENTIALISE: 
- Undifferentiated mass ; 'all look the same to me'
"PUTTING ON A WHITE MASK".

Representations; daily mail article - mr horsley.

Post-colonialism article response (300 words):

In the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony indicate the modern version of Britain and shows it as a diverse and multi-cultural society. In the opening there are many different countries flags that are shown as well as multi-cultural traits. As we look further into the opening ceremony there is an educated middle aged white women living with a black husband, her father and her children, happily in a semi-detached house. Although this was supposed to represent modern England, this opening ceremony was highly criticised by a Daily Mail publisher, Rick Dewsbury. He complained bitterly of the ceremony’s ‘politically driven multiculturalism’, he went on to observe: “This was supposed to be a representation of modern life in England but it is likely to be a challenge for the organisers to find an educated white middle-aged mother and black father living together with a happy family in such a set-up.” This could therefore relate to Frantic Fanon’s theory of black people having to wear a white mask in order to fit in with society.

Dewsbury’s article also relates to Fanon’s theory as if they do not wear a white mask there would most likely be some sort of conflict or dysfunction within society. Dewsbury goes on to say: “this multicultural equality agenda was so staged it was painful to watch”, this indicates his racism and dislike towards those who are not white. This once again relates to Fanon’s theory as Dewsbury makes it extremely clear that he does not want to see multiculturalism on TV or in society therefore if everyone ;wears a white mask’ the multiculturalism will no longer be as painful to watch.

Test one; learner response - me horsley.

QUESTION:Why might some people in the media object to Robin Thicke's song and video for blurred lines?

WWW:
* You've covered the wider issues and brought in the VMAs which is good to see.

EBI:
* Lack of depth and theory (brief mention of Butler in conclusion). No other examples provided.

LEARNER RESPONSE:
* What is your personal opinion on the question?
- In my opinion, Robin Thicke's song as well as his music video for Blurred lines is highly sexually explicit. This is evident through the lyrics as he objectifies women as living in the shadow of their lovers/men. As Robin Thicke uses the phrase "good girl" several times in the song it suggests he is relating back to the stereotype of the virgin/whore dichotomy. Furthermore, his song also suggests women should play a good girl and bad girl role in order to satisfy the man's desire. I believe, feminist's would highly object against this song as well as the music video as it relates to Angela McRobbies theory as women are being objectified for male pleasure.