Post-colonialism: blog task

1) Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV from Media Magazine 42 (MM42 from our Media Magazine archive - page 51)  

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

Films

• Anuvahod
• Kidulthood
• Shank
• Attack the block
• Ill Manors

TV Programmes

• Top boy
• Citizen Khan
• Luther
• The Crouches
• 55 Degrees north

Online Only

• All About The McKenzies
• Meet the Adebanjos
• Brothers WIth No Game
• Venus VS Mars
• The Ryan Sisters

3) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available onher 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.

Destiny Ekaragha has reinforced the Alvarado and Fanons theory when she was considering the role of her characters. Firstly, in terms of Alvarado's theory which believes that black characters usually fall under the characters of the following;

• Exotic (models; music artists; food)
• Dangerous (crime; gangs; socially dysfunctional)
• Humorous (comedians; sidekicks; quirky)
• Pitied (poverty)

In this particular case the characters in 'Gone too far' are shown to be humorous. Also, we can see that the one of the characters who is black is shown to be pitied as he is fairly new to the country. In addition, the clothes that they are wearing shows that they are exotic. In addition, in the short film ' Tight Jeans' the main characters are all humorous. 


Also, this can be linked to Frantz Fanons theory which believes the following;

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

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

Decivilize - The 'Gangsta', 'Pimp' etc.

Essentialize - Undifferentiated mass-'they all look the same to me'

This can be linked to the second clip 'Tight Jeans' where the boys are seen to be decivilised as they look dangerous such as a 'gangsta or 'pimp' would look like.