Post-Colonialism

1. A Level Media Studies Post-Colonialism

2. Cultural Imperialism • An important function of the media is in winning the support of people to the interests of the dominant classes. • The media also constitute a potential tool for control by dominant Western cultures over those developing countries. • The Western way of life and its economic/political systems can be imposed on other societies as its lifestyle is sold through media products such as film and television. • The most dominant culture exporting media products is the USA. Eg Hollywood cinema • This is know as CULTURAL IMPERIALISM.

3. Post-colonialism • Most European countries, including the UK have a history of military imperialism. • They would conquer less developed countries and impose their rule on them. • This was usually to ensure a supply of cheap materials from that country to help support the economy. • Former British colonies include India, South Africa, Australia, Jamaica and the USA – at one point, GB ruled half the world.

4. Post-colonialism • These colonies eventually became independent and set up their own governments. • However, it can be argued that much of the culture of the imperial countries (eg. Their language) still lingers on in the former colonies as a reminder of colonial rule. • Also, the process of decolonisation has not prevented the Western powers from tightening their economic grip on the rest of the world. • The wealth of economically developed countries increasingly depends on the cheap labour and raw materials supplied by the Third World.

5. Post-colonialism ‘Saunders of the River’ (1935) portrayed ideologies naturalising colonisation The Four Feathers (1939) suggested the key role of the British army was to bring a civilising influence to India and Egypt. Zulu (1964) represented the Zulu tribe in Africa as violent savages.

6. Ideology suggests that black skin is undesirable and white skin is desirable Images like this helped reinforce a sense of superiority of colonising populations and marginality of the colonised African countries

7. Post-Colonialism • Post-colonialism does not emphasise a new, technologically inter-related media world… • But the importance of the cultural, economic, political and military dominance of the past. • The absence of non-white images in the media visually suggests a dominance of white culture.

9. Orientalism • Edward Said (1978) – a key text. • Critique of Western representations of Eastern culture. • Non-Western cultures are represented through Western eyes largely because of the impact of cultural imperialism through the power of Western media. • It can be argued that whenever Islam is represented, it is shown through a Western perspective that usually fails to understand the nature and complexity of Islamic belief and culture. • Instead, it reduces it to a few stereotypical characteristics. • In this way, the sense of oppression is just as great as if the colonies still existed.

10. Muslim Representation • Looking through the daily papers, what is the dominant representation of Muslims?

11. September 11th • Post-colonialism has a particular relevance following the events of 9/11 and the subsequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. • This is an example of military imperialism in which the Western powers are intent on imposing ‘democracy’ on Islamic countries in the belief that it is in their best interests.

12. The Painted Veil (2006) • Set in the 1920s • A British doctor takes his wife to live in a small Chinese village. • He fights an outbreak of cholera but is hindered by Chinese politics. • Chinese culture is portrayed as fascinating yet threatening • Cholera is a metaphor for a deep sickness in the country that only a British doctor can combat.

13. Representations • Cultural stereotypes • Western culture has often defined itself in relation to the ‘other’ of non-Western cultures. • The ‘other’ are seen as exotic…exciting…dangerous…romantic…mysterious…threatening. • Complex, sophisticated cultures are reduced to a few simple components whose sole function is to serve the interests of the dominant metropolitan culture. • EG. Advertisers offer consumers a “taste of the East” or “the mysteries of the Orient”.

14. Alvarado (1987) • Representations of black people are founded on negative historical myths from the colonial past. • Suggests there are four types of representation for members of the black community. • The HUMOUROUS – comedians • The EXOTIC – models • The PITIED – Live Aid • The DANGEROUS – inner city gangs

15. Stereotypes • Positive and negative stereotypes are often seen in contemporary British media. • Musicians – jazz, hip-hop and soul • Sportsmen and women • Comedians • Criminals • Socially dysfunctional • Prostitute/sexually promiscuous • The stud/pimp

16. Diaspora Identity • Where people experience both a sense of belonging to a cultural group that is ‘other’ to the dominant culture of their country of residence. • This sense of alienation or ‘otherness’ is emphasised by a lack in the contemporary media of any cultural representations of their lives or experiences. • It is not always negative • Gurinder Chadha – Bend it like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004) – represented Asian culture in film in a non stereotypical way.

17. Key questions • Are ethnic stereotypes challenged or reinforced? • Do the contemporary media represent the ethnic diversity of society? • Who speaks for whom in the media? Are members of other cultures given the opportunity to represent themselves or are their ideas and opinions filtered by a cultural intermediary? • Who do I identify as ‘belonging’ in my culture? Do I belong?

18. Resident Evil 5 • Released March 2009 • Central to the game’s controversy is its West Africa locale. • White heroes, black African villains. • Producers had to make changes after criticism. • Zombies – connotations.