Identities and the Media: Post-colonial theory

1) Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV rom Media Magazine 42 (MM42 fromour Media Magazine archive - page 51). Pick three key points from the article and bullet point them here.

• The problem with British black culture maybe due to the dependence on American Black culture. 
• Dizzee Rascal music though his heritage is from Ghana and Nigeria he was able to shape Black British culture. 
• That the problem with the representations of black people is that it is anchored in 'race' or 'issues' continuously, which was stated it could lie in the hands of media ownership an who tells the story. 

2) List FIVE films, FIVE TV programmes and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article. These are great examples you could use in the MEST1 or MEST3 unseen exams.

Films:

• Kidulthoood
• ILL Manors
• Attack the Block
• AnuvaHood
• Slumdog Millionaire

TV Programmes: 

• Top Boy
• Luther
• Citizen Khan
• The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
• Line of Duty

Online-only productions:

• Venus vs. Mars
• Meet the Abebanjos
• The Ryan Sisters
• Brothers with No Game
• All about McKenzies

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.

'Tight jeans' is an example of Alvarado's  theory of the idea of "pitied" and "dangerous" as the boys are put in the location setting of a improvised estate so portrayed as living poorly and Fanon's theory idea of "decivilised" is reinforced here also because of their setting and clothing. The clothing they wear is that of hoodies and jeans, nothing lavish or designer and because those clothing types have been portrayed in media as something dangerous youths wear it reinforces the theory and because they are all black highlights Alvarado's theory of this being particular clothing style to being for Black males, being socially dysfunctional and linked to gang culture. There is also the idea of being "humourous" (Alvarado) as the characters talk of some comical topics which would amuse audiences watching them and are there to do that. 
'Gone Too Far' would be used to reinforce stereotypes of Black people and would be used to subvert these stereotypes due to the actions of the main protagonist.  The use of having the Nigerian mother and brother in the short would reinforce Alvarado's theory idea of "exoticism"  as the mother and son Ikudayisi show their Nigerian culture through their clothing which is surprises and intrigues other characters in the short and the audience is. Also, the setting is in impoverished area in estates and flats and so maybe deemed as "pitied" (Alvarado) and because of the non-conventional behaviour of the Nigerian brother in the context of how British people act he may reinforce Fanon's idea of "decivilised". 
Also, the idea of subverting ideas of Black Africans by the main character from 'Gone Too Far' not particularly happy with his brothers Nigerian(ess) could be put the idea of putting on a "white mask" as he sees this part of his culture as "other" and at the beginning doesn't want to be associated with it. However, this would not be subverting this idea as many Black youth sometimes do not want to be associated with their African heritage but would rather make fun of it "humorous"(Alvarado) as the characters make fun of Ikudayisi for his accent and way of dress. This would also be a subversion due to the representation of the Nigerian mother and son as it is not particularly shown in British TV in a light where it is just an all black cast .