OSP: Paul Gilroy - Postcolonial theory and diasporic identity

 Paul Gilroy - blog tasks

Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:

1) How does Gilroy suggest racial identities are constructed?

They are historically produced, shaped by consumer capitalism, nationalism ideology, slavery, and colonisation.

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

They developed during the eras of colonisation, slavery, and other practices that have been passed down through time. 

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

Ethnic absolutism is an ideology of belief that holds that race is the primary factor separating people from other ethnic groups. 

4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?

According to Gilroy, a person's diasporic identity is irreversible since they are born with cultural roots.

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

They were perceived as the other and were estranged from the community. At the period, the practice of African slavery in Britain served to perpetuate unfavourable stereotypes about black Britons.

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

It is written :"negative experiences of exclusion, exposure to regressive ideologies and marginalisation will also create an identity which is then shared within the diasporic community and perhaps from the origin country."

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.

Individuals from particular backgrounds may follow and watch videos on social media and YouTube from others who share their experience. For example, many members of the southern Asian community may watch Humza Productions because of their shared background and the content he provides. 

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

He believes that "slavery is a key and influential part of the black culture and changed the diasporic identities irrevocably."

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

We can watch through television how they portray their persona as a member of the black community, for example, by employing Alvarado's notion of the comedian, the native, and so forth.

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.

Due to their social alienation and perception as the other, black people were devalued since they were thought to be less able than white people. It was expected of women in particular to take care of the family, clean the house, and occasionally work at less intellectual jobs.