OSP: Postcolonial theory - Gilroy 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?

He has consistently argued that racial identities are historically constructed – formed by colonisation, slavery, nationalist philosophies and consumer capitalism.

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

Gilroy suggests that racism creates race, not the other way around. He argues that racism emerged from historical processes like colonialism and slavery, and race was used to justify the oppression and exploitation of certain groups, rather than being the natural cause of this oppression.

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

 Ethnic absolutism is a line of thinking which sees humans are part of different ethnic compartments, with race as the basis of human differentiation. Gilroy is opposed to ethnic absolutism as it is counter to his argument that racism causes race.

4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?

Gilroy’s work focuses on the concept of the African diaspora. Gilroy views diasporic identity as a complex and hybrid construct that emerges from the experiences of migration and displacement. He sees it as a way for individuals to navigate multiple cultural influences and create a sense of belonging that is not tied to a single national identity.

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

At the time, the dominant representation of black Britons was as “external and estranged from the imagined community that is the nation.” As such, to accept the role of slavery into the cultural identities of Britain would be to challenge the negative stereotype of black Britons at the time, and reverse the “external and estranged” relationship with the nation.

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

Diaspora challenges national ideologies, through the commitment and loyalty to the origin nation or place. However, diasporic identities can also become trapped within a national ideology; diasporic cultural ideologies and practices exist within a national ideology based upon its social, economic and cultural integrations and as such there is a cultural difference with the diasporic identities.

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, platforms like YouTube allow users to share cultural content, while Facebook groups can facilitate discussions and community-building around shared heritage.

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?

The media will offer a range of representations for various groups. However, these are often limited from some groups more than others. The dominant representations of black males, primarily in the US, is either a rapper, criminal or gang member, or an athlete.

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.  It counters stereotypical representations by highlighting their achievements and breaking down the barriers imposed by both race and gender.