OSP: Paul Gilroy - Postcolonial theory and diasporic identity

OSP: Paul Gilroy - Postcolonial theory and diasporic identity

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 historically constructed – formed by colonialization, slavery, nationalist philosophies and consumer capitalism.

2) What does Gilroy suggest regarding the causes and history of racism?

Racism isn’t caused by race, racism causes race. 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. Racial identities are caused by historical conflicts that have brought different groups into opposition.

3) What is ethnic absolutism and why is Gilroy opposed to it?

Ethnic absolutism is the belief that people belong to fixed, unchanging ethnic categories. Gilroy opposes this because he argues that ethnic identities are not fixed but shaped by historical, social, and cultural interactions, making them fluid and subject to change.

4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?
Gilroy views diasporic identity as transnational and fluid, shaped by movement and history rather than rooted in a single place of origin. He emphasizes that diasporic identities are created by routes of migration and shared histories of oppression, such as the African diaspora shaped by slavery and colonialism.

5) What did Gilroy suggest was the dominant representation of black Britons in the 1980s (when the Voice newspaper was first launched)?

Gilroy suggested that the dominant representation of black Britons in the 1980s was that they were seen as "external and estranged" from the national community, portrayed as outsiders rather than integral parts of British society.

6) Gilroy argues diaspora challenges national ideologies. What are some of the negative effects of this?

One negative effect is that diasporic communities can face marginalization or exclusion within national ideologies, creating cultural tensions. Diasporic identities can clash with the dominant national identity, leading to social, economic, and cultural inequalities for minority groups.

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.
Diasporic communities can use digital media platforms to stay connected, such as social media, online forums, and streaming services. For example, the BBC World Service serves diasporic audiences by providing news and cultural content. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram allow communities to share cultural practices, music, and language across borders. Twitter was used by the African diaspora to discuss global movements like #BlackLivesMatter.

8) Why does Gilroy suggest slavery is important in diasporic identity?
Gilroy argues that slavery was a defining event in the creation of diasporic identities, particularly for the African diaspora. It irrevocably altered cultural and social identities, making it impossible to return to a "pure" pre-slavery identity. The experience of slavery shaped modernity and the global capitalist system, and it is crucial for understanding the historical and cultural context of black identity.

9) How might representations in the media reinforce the idea of ‘double consciousness’ for black people in the UK or US?
Media representations often reinforce stereotypical portrayals of black people, such as criminals, athletes, or entertainers. These limited depictions force black individuals to see themselves through the lens of dominant society while simultaneously trying to assert their own identity, creating a "double consciousness" where they are torn between two conflicting perceptions of themselves.

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.

Hidden Figures challenges double consciousness by portraying black women as highly intelligent, capable, and integral to America's success in the space race. The film defies stereotypes of black women by showing them in roles as mathematicians and engineers, highlighting their contributions to science and technology, which counters the usual media portrayals of black women as marginalized or limited to domestic roles.