Post-colonialism - bonus reading and tasks

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

- Aisha Harris:  argues that social media play a negative role in the construction of black identities. She argues that the rise of social media has created a culture wherein black people are often subject to a process of ‘memeification’, where their likeness becomes
a decontextualised internet ‘meme’.

- Giddens: argues that social media can be an arena for the construction of positive black identities. An example of this would be ‘The Blackout’, a campaign that originated on the social network ‘Tumblr’, and involved a systematic ‘re-imagining’ and celebration of blackness. It involved black people posting pictures of themselves and sharing pictures of others, commenting and attaching positive hashtags, such as ‘#Goddess’, ‘#Queen’, ‘#Melanin’ and ‘#BlackExcellence’. This, seems to suggest that black people have used social media as a tool to inspire, and to construct an image of black identity that is often misrepresented (if represented at all) by the mass media.

- Henry Jenkins: argue that social media is an arena wherein ‘participatory cultures’ can be established: online, interest-driven networks that allow members to creatively channel the skills they gain online into political activism and the voicing of
marginalised viewpoints. An example of this is ‘BlackTwitter’ (#BlackTwitter), a socially-constructed community that actively challenges negative representations of
black identity in the mass media and wider society.

2) In your opinion, is social media a positive or negative force when it comes to issues of black identity? 
In my opinion, I think social media is both a positive and negative force when it comes to the issues of black identity. Firstly, it can be seen in a positive light as the social media platform raises awareness's about certain matters going on around the world, especially in America, in terms of racism.  Social media allows people to start campaigns such as the #blacklivescampaign. However, it can also be shown in a negative manner as social media sometimes reinforces stereotypes that aren't correct. 

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

Alvarado - pitied: audiences would feel pity upon the refugees. 

Fanon - Fanon's theory is challenged as there's a representation of the East and West being separate and different to each other. 

Said -  

A Hustle for Life: Refugees in the Media

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

Refugees are described as a swarm,horde or tide, marauding and invading their way across the world. They are held responsible for their own condition, even – or especially – when the West itself has contributed to it. Such language deliberately creates the impression in readers’ minds that refugees are dangerous. 

2) 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?

In my opinion, I think the documentary genre is less biased than the news media, as it doesn't show parts of videos, or pictures that could've been changed. Whereas, documentaries show everything and show all points of view, therefore, it gives the audience a better understanding and proper facts. 

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

Alvarado: The 'pitied' is presented as the east are seeking for help from the west, and are presented as need of help in the media. 

Fanon: 'Essentialize' is subverted as the East are presented as different to each other, not all the same. 

  Said: Said's theory is reinforced, as there is a clear representation of the East and West being different to one another.