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?

Gilroy argues that racial identities are socially constructed through history,culture and experiences of racism

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

Gilroy argues that racism has historical roots in colonialism and slavery

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

Ethnic absolutism is the belief that ethnic identities are fixed,separate and unchanging.Gilroy opposes this because cultures constantly influence one another.

4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?

Gilroy views diasporic identity as an identity formed through the movement of people across countries and their shared cultural experiences.

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

Black Britons were often represented as outsiders who did not belong to british society.

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

Diaspora challenges the idea that everyone belongs to one fixed national or cultural identity.This can lead to racism,discrimination and exclusion.

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.

TikTok:share traditional dances,food,clothing and cultural celebrations

YouTube:watch films,music videos from their country of heritage

Spotify:listen to traditional music and artists from across the African diaspora

Online newspapers:access news and stories relevant to Black British communities

8) Why does Gilroy suggest slavery is important in diasporic identity?

Gilroy argues that slavery is important because the transatlantic slave trade forcibly displaced millions of Africans across the world

9) How might representations in the media reinforce the idea of ‘double consciousness’ for black people in the UK or US?

Media representations can reinforce double conciousness because when Black people are stereotyped as criminals or gang members it can cause black individuals to feel judged according to racial stereotypes rather than their individual identities. 

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

The film Hidden Figures challenges stereotypes by telling the true story of three Black American women. They are represented as intelligent, skilled and ambitious mathematicians and scientists rather than through negative racial stereotypes.The film also highlights the racism and sexism they experienced while working in a segregated society.By showing their talent and achievements it challenges the assumption that scientific success belongs primarily to white men.