OSP: Paul Gilroy - Diasporic identity

 Paul Gilroy - blog task

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 states that racial identity is formed through slavery, colonisation, capitalism and other adapted philosophies.  

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

Gilroy suggests that the causes of racism was because of the British history which means that it rises de to racial oppression. 

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

Ethnic absolutism is the idea that each ethnic group is seen as different and race is the main force of human difference. Gilroy was opposed to it because he believed that race didn't case racism its the people's mindset towards understanding it. 

4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?

Gilroy views diasporic identity as a something that is constantly moving and evolving, linking to his other theory "Liquidity of culture". 

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

The dominant representation of black Britons in the 80's especially with the Windrush generation was that they were "estranged" from the wider society. 

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

Some negatives affect of this would be marginalisation, exclusion from society and other backwards theories and ideologies. 

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 may use a variety of media to stay connected with their cultural identity through digital media such as Facebook or Instagram as form of finding a wider community that has the same interest and cultural practices and with that exchange they can learn from each-other. 

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

Slavery is important with diasporic identity Gilroy suggests because it gives life form to many different ideas such as art, ideology, cultural practice and mental heath. 

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

The media may reinforce the idea of double consciousness for black people as they're seen as people from mostly working backgrounds or either criminals. This means that these stereotypes can harm their self-worth and lead passive audiences to believe at all black people have the same bad intentions. 

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 subverts common stereotypes about back women as they're portrayed as the lead actresses and shown as independent and smart which isn't often shown in the mainstream media This means that their work environment is white male dominated however these women are shown as playing an active role in the success of their disequilibrium.