Identities: Post-colonial theory & blog tasks

1) Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV from Media Magazine 42 (MM42 fromour Media Magazine archive - page 51)

2) List FIVE films, FIVE TV programmes and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article.

Films

• Adulthood
• Shank
• Ill Manors
• Star Trek
• Attack the block

TV Programmes:

• Citizen Khan
• The Kumars at No.42
• Goodness Gracious Me
• Luther
• Top boy

Online-only productions:

• Venus vs Mars
• The Ryan sisters
• Brother with no game
• All about the McKenzies
• Meet the abdenanjos

3) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available on her website, including the short film The Park). To what extent can we apply Alvarado's and Fanon's theories to these films? Do they reinforce or subvert typical black stereotypes in British film and TV? Refer to specific scenes and events in the clips in answering this question and aim for at least 350 words.

Stereotypes have been a dominate part of media in the modern age with black stereotypes consistently being used against them. So in TV / Film and the internet directors play with the idea of stereotyping races by using it to reinforce and at the same time fight these same stereotypes for example, Tight Jeans directed by Destiny Ekaragha included a scene where three black teenagers were all sitting on a wall waiting for their friend to come over in a car and Destiny fightss with Stereotypes as well as reinforces stereotypes at the same time. Firstly they had the three black males wear hoodies which is normally associated with negative stereotypes of black gangsters hurting people which reinforces black stereotypes. However they got them to wear bright colours like light blue, red and a stripped hoodie which counters the common stereotypes of gangster because they would wear very dark colour unlike the ones in this scene. Another example in this clip is where they are eyeing up this white stranger walking pass them, the stereotype would be the case that these black males would rush him and take his belongs. However they comment on the what he is wearing instead which is a normal thing to do which once again counters the preconceived stereotypes set by the general public. And also at the end of the film they play again with the idea of the three black men robbing another white man when Tyrone tell them to be calm and he will be 5 minutes which once again counters the mainstream stereotypes that are being set by the general public. Overall I believe that stereotypes are now used to be played with instead of being reinforced due to the fact that everyone is aware of these stereotypes and how mainstream they have become leading to more black directors and actors wanting to counter these preconceived stereotypes that are being set.