Post-colonialism: Edward Said

1) Summarise the three theorists we have looked at: Alvarado, Fanon and Said.

• Fanon - "putting on a white mask", "adopting white middle class values", Essentialise - they all look the same, Civilised. e.g. Bend it Like Beckham. 
• Alvarado - four dominant representations of black community: dangerous, pity, humorous and exotic. (e.g. Comic relief) 
• Said - Orientialism: "Them and Us", "East vs. West", "Civilised vs. Uncivilised" 

2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?

The representations found in 'Yasmin' are a combination of positive and negative. Firstly, there is a strong presentation of the ethnic minority as poor and of the C-D demographic, shown through the medium long shots of the run down working class aesthetic on-screen. In terms of negative stereotyping, Said's Orientalism theory is reinforced through the binary opposition of the 'superior' west, shown through the white male police officers, in conjunction with the Muslim women who symbolises the 'dangerous' east. The sense of 'exotic' behaviour amongst the ethnic minority is captured through the uncivilised male character, who is eating peanut butter out of the jar with his hangs, echoes the prevailing ideology that Muslims are de-civilised in comparison to the west. In particular, the female Muslims, demonstrated through the lead role of the character Yasmin, are seen as rebellious, parallel to the the males who are shown as conformers to their religion (displayed through the boy starting his day by practising his religion). However, it is fair to say that the presentation challenges Said's domain theory of "them and us", through the scene capturing the white male and Muslim women, working together and helping the special needs children. 

3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. 

Fanon - "Putting on a white mask", Decivilise, Essentialise (they all look the same)

Luther, 2015 - The protagonist embodies stereotypical white male characteristics and rejects the dominant ideologies associated with his social group, such as being tribal (in terms of his more middle class accent that is presented through the dialogue). In particular, his attire is formal and he is portrayed as a leading figure who is in charge of other white characters. 

Adulthood, 2008 - The behaviour illustrated through the black characters reflects decivilised and criminal acts that are reinforce Fanon's theory. For instance, through the medium long shots capturing the protagonist wearing a hoodie and grabbing a bat to attack another character. Also, in terms of 'essentialise', the high angle long shot capturing the black youth at a "rave", reflects Fanon's idea that they all "look the same".

'I am what I am' Reebok Advertisement - The advertisement capturing black rapper 50 cent reinforces ideologies in regards to the decivilised and 'criminal' aspects of Fanon's theory through the background on the right mirroring imagery associated with prisons (e.g. the finger prints). 

Alvarado - "Dangerous, Pity, Humorous and Exotic"

Cool Runnings, 1993 - The trailer captures the non-diagetic narration of a white male, outlining the comical narrative of Jamacian's entering a sport "they know nothing about", parallel to the imagery of medium long shots of the black characters falling over and being made a mockery of. This relates to Alvarado's theory of 'Humorous' and 'Exotic', through the strong native accents that the black characters have, alongside the different things that they say. 

Gone Too Far!, 2014 - The trailer presents the strong accents that the African mother and brother have, through the diagetic dialogue. In addition to this, the medium close up of the mothers sandels and costume reflect her native and 'exotic' origin. 

South Africa, 2013- Starting from 3:00 minutes, the white males are presented as superior to the weak and lower class black children, who joyfully reach up to high five the white males, illustrated in the hand held medium long shot. This relates to Alvarado's theory of 'pity' through the unfortunate objectification placed upon the black children. 

Said - "Them and Us", "East and West"

Bend it Like Beckham, 2002- The narrative shows the strong ideologies associated in Asian culture and presents their domain stereotypes, such as women cooking and serving for men. This contrapuntal to the more liberal attitudes that the white characters have, displaying, in terms of Said, "them and us". 

East is East, 1999- Despite the male and female parents being binary opposite in terms of white and Asian, and their overall nuclear family being more liberal. There still remains a "them and us" illustration in regards to the vertically extended family types who enter the story. 

Eastenders - The Asian family the "Masoods", captured a strong sense of "them and us", when entering the 'square', as they were the only Asians presented. Their family not only portrayed dominant ideologies that Asian's have and their attitudes, but also in terms of costume, visually differed to the rest. 

LR Feedback

38 = B+

WWW: This is a seriously impressive essay: very good focus on the question, clear argument running through the majority, critical autonomy. 

We are certainly on track for a top grade in the summer. 

EBI: There are still areas we can look to improve...

- A minor but written English is inconsistent... For A/A* it could be a deciding factor. 

- Your Alain de Botton paragraph is weaker, the content is there but the argument is difficult to follow. This is one to reflect and revise. Get Gramsci in there too for points on hegemony. 

- This may be a timing issue but the conclusion is far less convincing than the rest of the essay... this is one to keep an eye on in terms of making a good final impression!

LR: See Blog  

Identities: Post-colonial theory

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

- Five films: Kidulthood (2006), Adulthood (2008), Bullet Boy (2004), Anuvahood (2011), Rollin’ With The Nines (2006), Attack The Block (2011), Sket (2011) and Shank (2012) and Ill Manors (2012)

-Five TV Programmes: Citizen Khan, Eastenders, TopBoy, Line of Duty and Luther

-Five online-only productions: Meet the Adebanjos, Brothers With No Game, Venus vs Mars, The Ryan Sisters and All About The McKenzies. 

2) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available on her website, including the short film The Park). 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 and aim for at least 350 words.

The dominant presentation within Ekaragha's productions is the representation of the social norms and ideologies in Black sub-cultures. Below I will present the extent in which Alvarado and Fanon's theory has been reinforced: 

Alvarado (1987) Four key themes in racial representations:

• Exotic (models; music artists; food)

Gone Too Far - The medium long shot and extreme close up of the mums sandals presents traditional African costumes, such as the dress and the head attire. 

• Dangerous (crime; gangs; socially dysfunctional)

Tight Jeans - The three males were situated in an urban location by an estate, sitting on a wall, as presented in the still medium long shot. Despite the lightness and comicality of the conversation - to an outsider, it could appear as antisocial and dysfunctional behaviour.

• Humorous (comedians; sidekicks; quirky)

Tight Jeans - The colloquialism of the black male youths follows a strong sense of comedy, one that would be of interest for a C-D demographic of male youths also. The characters are presented as a comedians and 'jokers'.

• Pitied (poverty)

Tight Jeans - The clothes in which the characters are seen to be wearing and the locations, indirectly associate them with a sense of poverty, through the overall lower class aesthetic. 

Frantz Fanon: “Putting on the white mask”

• Infantilize - such as the 'cute' children of the Charity Poster or the 'simple-minded‘ 'Step ‘n’ fetch it‘ lazy comedian. 

- there isn't a strong sense of 'cuteness' associated with any of the characters. 

• Primitivize - The 'exotic & virile' tribal warriors or 'bare-breasted maidens' with a 'natural sense of rhythm‘. Sporting prowess.

As discussed above, the attire in Gone Too Far, strongly refers to the exoiticness of the black characters - accentuated through the accent of the African male. 

In terms of "Putting on a white mask", it seems as though the black females in Gone Too Far, have changed their aesthetic to fit into the "white" aesthetic with the lighter make-up and straight hair extensions. 

It seems as though Ekaragha's depiction of black characters has reinforced the existing theories that are associated with them in terms Fanon and Avarado's. However, it is fair to say through the extremely comical related narrative that she wants to subvert the dehumanising and reinforcement of negative ideologies and instead wants to present their roles within different social constructs.  

New and Digital Media Stories: Week 17

Article from The Guardian

The article outlines the inaccuracy within some scare stories created by journalists in leading firms.  

Key Quotes: 

• "The British press has been accused of whipping up a “misinformed media storm” over a court case in which judges decided that a man whose employer accessed his personal messages had not had his rights violated."
• “Certain parts of the UK media sometimes have trouble getting their facts right when covering ‘Europe’. It’s understandable, to a certain extent. Europe’s institutions are complicated, journalists cover lots of different issues and they work to tight deadlines,” a spokesman for the body said.

In my opinion, I think that this article is a prime example of the awareness that journalists must encompass to ensure that their news stories are accurate and valid, to sway away from misleading and providing invalid information to the public, which has proven to scare and alert audiences. 

Article from The Guardian

The article refers to the recent claims that "investigative journalism is dead" and follows journalist, Peter Preston, highlighting all of the news journalists and institutions who help prove that this is untrue such as Murdoch (the Times and Sunday Times) and Edward Snowden (The Guardian). He then explains that despite there not being extensive "investigations" that occur - news is still being reported and told, which is the most important aspect of it all.

Key Quotes include: 

"The crux is that the term “investigative journalism” describes ways and means, not subject matter."

"Journalism isn’t some narrow sect of interests and concerns. The Spotlight [film that was introduced at the start of the article] may have a wider beam, the Insight [other text] may be more international – but don’t think for a second that the story of terrific stories has reached an end."

In my opinion, I agree with Preston's ideas because ultimately news is the platform in which stories are reported and investigative journalism essentially happens within all news that is presented to audiences. Therefore, it is unfair to say that it is "dead", because it is in fact constantly occurring beneath all journalism. 

New and Digital Media Stories: Week 16

Article from The Guardian

The article establishes the increase in revenues from music, TV shows, films and video games which hit an all-time high of £6.1bn in 2015 thanks to the popular digital services offered by Netflix, Amazon, Spotify and Apple. In particular,  "Adele hauled the total UK music market to its first growth in at least a decade, up 3.5% to £1.06bn". The UK music industry saw the number of streams almost double to 27m and physical sales. Despite the  overall sales of "physical CDs, DVDs and video games continued their inexorable decline" last year, the total UK entertainment market – sales and rentals of physical CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs as well as downloads, streams and subscriptions for TV, films, music and video games – grew in total by 5.6% to £6.1bn. The previous high of £6.04bn was achieved in 2004.

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Key Quotes: "Ten years ago, the entertainment business was on the edge of a precipice,” said Kim Bayley, chief executive of the Entertainment Retailers Association. “Piracy was rampant and there were few legal alternatives. Thanks to huge investments from the likes of Apple and Steam and Netflix and Spotify there has been a significant turnaround.”

"The Music Industry - The Adele Effect" - "The digital revolution was also felt in the UK music industry where the number of streams rose a staggering 82% year-on-year to 26.8m. The surge, which resulted in an estimated 50% rise in streaming revenues to £251m, hauled the total UK music sales market to its first growth in at least a decade, up 3.5% to £1.06bn."

In my opinion, I think that the entertainment (film/music) industry have benefited hugely from the developments that new and digital technologies are providing, which is shown through audience engagement and institutional revenues in response. 

Article from The Guardian

The article outlines the story revolved around a man who was using the social networking site Facebook, to made rape threats to a woman. However, he was found not guilty. In response, the women involved set up a campaign to help protect online users.

The story is a prime example of the dangers that can come with new technological developments and how institutions need to ensure that they are implementing censorship mediums to oversee what is occurring on these websites. However, this may lead to debates revolved around privacy and rights - it is therefore a tricky one. 

Identities and the Media: Reading the riots

• How did the language and selection of images in the coverage create a particular representation of young people? 

The press would use jargon "out of control", creating a sense of moral panic, in regards to Stanley Cohen, about the behaviour of the youth. In particular, the photographs would feature clothing such as jogging bottoms and hoodies with balaclava's covering their face, clothes typically associated with 'chavs' and the working class - thus, marginalising the social group's youth with the event. Also, the stance in which the photographs portray the youths, with the background of burning buildings, reinforces the 'deviant' behaviour.  

The article highlights the terminology of 'riots' as oppose to 'protests' - which is arguably the fundamental spark of the events (Mark Duggan). This language creates a sense of deviancy and detracts from the story opposing the fact that the youth were acting in response to the death of Duggan. The word 'riot' "suggests something wild and uncontrollable, conveying negative ideologies about the youth. 

• Why does David Buckingham mention Owen Jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class?

Buckingham mentions the works of Jones to highlight the continuous portrayal that the media are outlining in association with the working class. He uses examples such as 'Vicky Pollard in Little Britain', to present the marginalisation of the social group due to the misrepresentations of the stereotypes. 

• What is the typical representation of young people – and teenage boys in particular? What did the 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey find?

The 2005 report shows "40% of newspaper articles featuring young people focused on violence, crime or anti-social behaviour and that 71% could be descibed as having a negative tone". The typical representation of young people and boys in particular is that they are primarily associated with crime, violence and drugs. And a minority is associated with education, sports and entertainment. The reoccurring vocabulary which is used in relation to boys include: "yobs, thugs, sick, feral, hoodies, louts, heartless, evil, frightening and scum"

• How can Stanley Cohen’s work on Moral Panic be linked to the coverage of the riots?

Cohen's work can be linked to the coverage, in terms of deviant behaviour as well as public outcries - through the media directly injecting negative vocabulary such as "riots", enforcing menace-like behaviour. As well as this, the images in particular heighten a sense of deviancy through the long shots capturing them appearing rebellious through the 'masked identity' style attire, in the midst burning buildings and chaos. Thus, enhancing deviance amplification. 

• What elements of the media and popular culture were blamed for the riots?

The elements of popular culture that were blamed for the riots include, rap music videos, violent computer games and reality TV, that were argued to promote this deviancy. In particular, the looting was described by the Daily Mail as being due to programs such as 'X Factor and Big Brother' reinforcing consumer ideals. 

• How was social media blamed for the riots? What was interesting about the discussion of social media when compared to the Arab Spring in 2011?

Social media played a big part is the coorporation of the riots, through means of communication such as 'Blackberry Messenger', which was at it's peak during the riots, and was used for the youths to communicate and 'plan' their acts. In particular, the Sun, highlight the fact that 'Twitter' was used to orchestrate the Tottenham riots, through the public outcry of views to rally up a team of individuals to partake. According to the Telegraph, technology "fuelled the riots, who used the latest technology to film and incite the looting".   In comparison with the Arab Spring in 2011, their illustration of social media was as a positive thing through revolutionising in countries such as Egypt. 

• The riots generated a huge amount of comment and opinion - both in mainstream and social media. How can the two-step flow theory be linked to the coverage of the riots? 

The two-step flow theory can be linked to the coverage of the riots through the opinion leaders of journalists, presenting some factual information in response to the events alongside the use of persuasive imagery to create negative ideologies about them, onto passive audiences consuming the information and news. In particular, ex-teacher Katherine, partook in presenting ideas within the two-step theory model format.

• Alternatively, how might media scholars like Henry Jenkins view the 'tsunami' of blogs, forums and social media comments? Do you agree that this shows the democratisation of the media?

He views them as a positive thing as they encourage 'participatory' content allowing audiences to get involved, enforcing a more democratic social system. In my opinion, I too agree with the fact that social media allows audiences to be at the forefront in having their say, however, I don't think that democracy is at its peak in consequence, as ultimately the leading institutions can censor and monitor anything that is written by the users to ensure that it is not stepping out of the underpinning status quo. 

• What were the right-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The right wing responses to the causes of the riots was a largely negative one. This is evident through Max Hastings, writer for the Daily Mail, who described the event and youth as "they are essentially wild beasts", subsequently plastering a moral outcry in association with the youth and 'deviant behaviour' in relation to them. In addition, the right wing view sees the events and those partaking as a moral panic, through the fact that they believe that they have "no moral compass" or general understanding towards code and conduct. 

• What were the left-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The left wing however, focuses on the social problems that have lead to the riots and caused the erratic behaviour of the youths. This is shown through their investigation into  the extreme inequalities that exist in the western world and how this can affect their behaviour. An example of this, includes the recent cuts in youth services and overall the niche amount of attention that is placed upon the overall youth demographic to then stem positive behaviour in response.

• What are your OWN views on the main causes of the riots?

In my opinion, I think that the riots were ultimately an opportunity for the youth to fight against the system and I think that it started off as a rebellion against the story revolved around Duggan, but primarily it was an underground issue that had been waiting to arise and come to the surface. 

• How can capitalism be blamed for the riots? What media theory (from our new/digital media unit) can this be linked to?

Capitalism can be blamed for the behaviour of looting within the riots, through the constant reinforcement of objects indicating social status, which is something that the working class youth will be drawn to, to add a sense of wealth to their self. The concept of globalisation, and the spreading of the consumer lifestyle, can be added to this. 

• Were people involved in the riots given a voice in the media to explain their participation?

The voice was largely dominated as a description from journlists and reporters as to what happened which was reiterated through visuals (photographs). There was little detail highlighting the reasoning for participation through the lack of interviews that were presented, allowing those to explain their acts. 

• In the Guardian website's investigation into the causes of the riots, they did interview rioters themselves. Read this Guardian article from their Reading the Riots academic research project - what causes are outlined by those involved in the disturbances?

One of the first reasons that was highlighted include: 

- opportunity and the chance to get "free stuff"

- lack of money 

• What is your own opinion on the riots? Do you have sympathy with those involved or do you believe strong prison sentences are the right approach to prevent such events happening in future?

In my opinion, I think that strong prison sentences are not the way forward as it would be a waste of taxpayers money to accommodate for those involved to end up doing nothing. Prison will ultimately lead to an extreme amount of problems in consequence. Thus, I think it would be a great approach for those within the government to facilitate and provide more opportunities for the youth, such as sports/leisure clubs or even help with trying to get a job - more intensively than the ones that currently exist. In other words, it is ideal for the government to detract from prisoning the youth, but to instead, tackle the underpinning issues that are amongst them, to make the upcoming generation, better. 

New and Digital Media Stories: Week 15

Article From The Guardian

The article summarises Twitter's challenges during 2015 such as losing and regaining founders alongside, receiving a lot of "abuse on the site". Examples of this abuse include: "Chloe Madeley, daughter of TV presenters Richard and Judy, was targeted for harassment by people upset about her mother’s comments about convicted rapist Ched Evans" and the article comments on how the concept of censorship can be hard to tame on such a popular and current technological phenomena. However, Twitter is 'big', "boasting 320 million monthly active users", thus maintains extreme popularity with audiences. 

In my opinion, I think that it is good that Twitter are doing a self analysis to see what was successful over the past year. And in regards to censorship and tracking trolling - it is vital that this is at the forefront to ensure that the content is appropriate and of sound interest for audiences. 

Article From The Guardian

The article outlines the fact that no further action will be taken on those institutions that are involved in phone hacking scandals. The issue was examined both within terms of the police as well as journalists. And there were extreme arguments for and against, for instance, a lawyer who remains unnamed "They’ve lost the will to live. They’ve had enough of aggressive journalists’ defences. They’ve had a few successes but they’ve also lost a few. I wish they would just say ‘We’ve had enough’” and others are more for the idea such as News UK.

In my opinion, I think that phone hacking is an invasion of privacy and is something that shouldn't be condoned - however, if one is in the public eye they must be cautious of what they are doing as it is possible for them to be tracked, additionally as for those who are doing something wrong and immoral.