Post-colonialism - bonus reading and tasks

MM58: Social Media and Black Identity

Open up MM58 from our Media Magazine archive. Go to page 66 and read Social Media and Black Identity then complete the following tasks:

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

Aisha Harris - argued that social media plays a negative role in the construction of black identities. That the rise of social media has created a culture  wherein black people are subject to a process of 'memeification', where their likeness becomes a decontextualized internet 'meme'. This links back to the idea that there is an unconscious deep-rooted desire to see black people perform and entertain (Alvarado - Humour), thus creating an environment where black identities are fixed, and dominant attitudes towards blackness are reinforced.

Giddens - argues in contrast, believing that social media can be an arena for the construction of positive black identities. E.g. 'The Blackout' campaign on Tumblr that promoted hashtags such as #blackexcellence #melanin etc. Suggesting that black people have used social media as a way to inspire. however it can be argued that this celebration of blackness has been derailed by social media and that this positive gains of the campaign largely failed to translate in real life.

Henry Jenkins - argues that social media is an arena in which 'Participatory cultures' can be established: online, interest driven networks that allow members to creatively channel the skill they gain online into political activism and the voicing of marginalised viewpoints. Jenkins argues that participatory cultures have the power to influence politics and to positively shape the world around them.

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 that social media allows for a more positive force that traditional media when it comes to black identity. It allows information to be spread, more people with a voice. I agree with the idea of black people on social media become a 'meme'. However there is a large sense of connectivity and mutual agreement for facing injustice seen online and standing up for what they feel is right that is shared like a community.

3) How could you apply the post-colonial theories we have learned in class to the issue of social media and black identity?

- Alvarado's theory of representation where black people are linked to humour. This is linked to the idea of 'memeification' mentioned by theorist Aisha Harris. Where Black people are positioned as a source of entertainment and to perform. However when we looks at Giddens idea of positive construction of black identities. It can be said that Alvarado's Exotic is used in a positive way as people on social media platforms such as Tumblr or Instagram are becoming more accepting of their culture and promoting Blackness with hashtags such as #BlackExellence and #Melanin.

A Hustle for Life: Refugees in the Media

Now turn to page 6 and read A Hustle for Life: Refugees in the Media. When you have read the article, complete the following tasks:

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

- Refugees are portrayed as hostile and that they are migrants giving the impression that they are travelling by choice and not because they have to flee from genuine danger. Words like swarm, tide or horde are used to describe them and they are made out to be responsible for their own condition. This creates a negative image in the reader's mind as they are made out to seem dangerous or 'parasitically living off settled countries. They are often dehumanised in the media.

However not all representation of refugees are negative. Sometimes one single picture is enough to draw our attention in the other direction for example the Turkish soldier carrying a 3 year old drowned Syrian trying to reach the Greek Island. This allows for a more realistic view of their situation instead of them portrayed in way that presents them as inhumane and 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?

- I believe that the documentary genre gives a less bias view than the news in the media. Whilst the news is more opinionated and focused on one view. Documentary presents the information how it is presented to them. They record what they see and give the information that is given to them for the audiences to see. 'Refugees beyond Europe: Our Desert Home.' They look at people who have set up camp in Zaatari, where Syrian refugees have settled and you see how they do not necessarily want new homes but are instead waiting for when it is safe to return to theirs. This is the opposite of what is presented in the news where they are said to be swarming into different countries.

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

- We can apply Alvarado's theory where the representation of other races are seen as dangerous due to the fact that they are entering the countries illegally and that is how refugees are portrayed as in the news. We can also apply Said's theory of Orientalism where they are seen as uncivilised as they are seen as people that need help, which links to Alvarado's theory of the fact that they are pitied, and journalist like Katie Hopkins are referring to them as 'cockroaches' and other degrading names.