Post-colonialism - bonus reading and tasks

Social Media and Black Identity

List three theorists discussed in the article and what they believe regarding black identity.

Aisha Harris - social media plays a negative role in the construction of black identities. Black people are subject to 'memeification' and are commonly seen as performers and entertainers. Example being the 'aint nobody got time for that' meme. which became a catchphrase in public consciousness.

Giddens - social media can aid positive images of black identities. Example, 'The Blackout' campaign on Tumblr, involved re-imagining and celebration of black identities, suggesting black people have used social media as a tool to inspire and to construct an image of black identities that is conventionally misrepresented. Alan Martin -Echo Chamber effect - black out campaign reinforcing ideas held in black community but not whole society so two perspectives clash.

Henry Jenkins - social media enables 'participatory cultures' can be established - allowed to voice marginalised opinions and political activism. Example, Twitter #BlackLivesMatter campaign.Fuchs argues that in order to have a true ‘participatory culture’, there needs to be equality of ownership; and as social media (and the internet as a whole) are largely directed, owned and influenced by large corporations with vested, ideological interests, it can not, therefore, be claimed that they facilitate the creation of ‘true’ participatory cultures.

In your opinion, is social media a positive or negative force when it comes to issues of black identity?

I think social media is able to provide a positive platform for black identity and more generally a larger voice in society, such as marginalised groups with opinions. The issue however is the fact that the rapidity of the internet and global expansion therefore means that one wrong move from a marginalised viewpoint causes a huge issue online, which makes it very difficult for representations and preconceptions of black identity to be something that can be misrepresented in a positive light. If an individual believes one thing and only that one thing, they will not change their views merely due to one comment. Therefore activist campaigns like Black Lives Matter provided a positive outlook on the misrepresentations of black people and therefore revealed a side that is positive rather than negative.

How could you apply the post-colonial theories we have learned in class to the issue of social media and black identity?

The idea of humour and the 'entertainer' that Aisha Harris mentions relates to Alvarado's 4 representations of the black community. However the idea of the 'decivilised' black man is present throughout social media and this idea links to Fanon.

A Hustle for Life: Refugees in the Media

What examples of different representations of refugees in the media are offered in the article?

Refugees are often referred to as migrants. Dehumanise them calling them animals; Example Katie Hopkins calling them 'feral' and 'cockroaches.' 

In your opinion, is the documentary genre more or less biased than the news media? What examples can you provide from the article to support your view?

I think the documentary genre is more biased due to the article mentioning the TV series Exodus. The idea that we are unable to see the bigger picture in terms of documentaries reveals a less complex idea that doesn't focus on important aspects, therefore it makes it negative for audiences as they do not have the full information. 

How could you apply the post-colonial theories we have learned in class to the representation of refugees in the media?

Edward Said's Orientalism can be applied here through the idea that through documentations of refugees in the media we see a negative representation of them as being migrants. It reveals the clear dichotomy between the East and the West therefore reinforces the idea of 'them and us.'