Post-colonialism
- Post-colonialism highlights the importance of cultural, economic, political and military dominance of the past.
- The absence of non-white images in the mass media establishes the dominance of the white culture.
- Non-white identity groups have changed over the times.
- Black and Asian people are often represented in negative roles, such as the villain or the helper.
- Representation in soap operas, reply on myths that relate to the colonial past, such as the Asian shopkeeper.
Orientalism
- Edward Said (1995) founder of this concept.
- This perspective implies the East and Orient (China, Japan) are representations of both fear and fascination.
Diaspora
- This identity is the result of forced or voluntary migration.
- People experience a sense of belonging culture which is other to the dominate culture of the country of residence.
Post-colonialist theorists
Alvardo (1987)
He suggested that there are four types of representation for the members of the black community. According to Alvardo, the ethnic minority groups are represented as the 'other'. The four key themes in racial representation are: exotic, dangerous, humorous and the pitted.
- Exotic (or sexually promiscuous): This refers to women being represented as sexual objects which fits in to Mulvey's male gaze theory as well. It is assumed that the dominate reading of the audience would be from a white, heterosexual, male point of view, which is refereed as the white-eye (Hall 1990).
- Dangerous: Ethnic minority groups such as blacks, are usually stereotypically portrayed as being dangerous in the mass media. Thus, the media represents black youths as socially dysfunctional and a threat to society.
- Humorous: This refers to the black males being represented as humorous in films and the fact that there are male comedians, takes away the threat from white individuals.
- Pitted: Representation of ethnic groups as deprived or victims of natural disasters or conflicts. This is also shown in some films of working class black youths, being relatively and maternally deprived. As a result, this makes the audience sympathise with the characters. This could also highlight the power relationship between different ethnic minorities.
Frantz Fanon: "Black Skin, White Maks"
- His book focuses on tackling the oppression of black people and the inequalities they face in the white world.
- He explores what goes through the minds of the blacks and whites under the condition of the dominant white culture.
- In the Caribbean, black slaves were allowed to dress up in white mask and mock their masters at carnival time. Fanon acknowledged that 'putting on a white mask' was what the modern people felt they had to do, to fit with the white culture. ( For example, Michael Jackson)
- According to Fanon, "White men consider themselves superior to black men. There is another fact: Black men want to prove to white men, at all costs ... for the black man there is only one destiny. And it is white".
- Language is another key factor which disadvantages some ethnic groups.
- Caribbean blacks have lost their native language and they have to be successful to speak in 'educated' English and French.
According to Fanon, typically black stereotypes can..
- Infantilize: 'cate' children of the charity poster of the simple minded.
- Primitive: 'exotic/viral', tribal warriors or bare breasted.
- Maidens: with a natural sense of rhythm
- Decintize: The gangsta or the pimp
- Essentialize: undifferentiated mass "they outlook the same to me".
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