Post-colonialism: final blog tasks

1) Summarise the three theorists we have looked at: Alvarado, Fanon and Said.

Alvarado

Dangerous

Exotic

Pitied

Humorous

Fanon

Primitivized

Infantilized

Essentialized

Decivilized

Said

He argues that the west - particularly colonising Europe- Constructed a meaning of the east that suggested it was different, dangerous and uncivilised.

2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?

The opening of the film Yasmin offers a mixture of views regarding Said's theory of orientalist. The vandalism on the door shows the ideology that the west is superior, furthermore we watched the character Yasmin change the way she was to been into society, in the pub she was stared at and was later pulled over to police. This is suggested to be a regular occurrence as before she was asked anything she already had a list of things to say showing she knew what was going to be asked anyway. On the other hand, we see the two men seemingly of retirement age still working, suggesting that they are hardworking and the film is from the perspective of Yasmin which potentially offers a challenge to the negative views of British Muslims as we are not sewing issues such as racism in a positive light.

3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick a selection of clips on YouTube from TV, film, music video or advertising and embed them in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip. Note: this means you need NINE clips in total on this blogpost.

Alvarado

Humorous 

The situation being discussed is insinuated as being incredibly dangerous however, throughout the scene we see Roman not paying much attention and attempting to provide comedy. The stark contrast between that and the discussion taking places shows the two contrasting yet prominent stereotypes that black men in particular face. Maybe to try and provide a balance in the perceptions.

Pitied 

Poussey Washington is made the victim of murder by a police officer, it reflects the times of police brutality, particularly agains black people. Not only is she pitied because she did not have to die but when we see the effect it has on other characters and the involvement Suzanne had on it. We see her as a character who needs to be somewhere that can cater for her needs, and rather than fitting into the dangerous stereotype that she can typically be sorted into, we pity her because it is not her fault.

Dangerous 

Suzanne is presented as an incredibly dangerous character whom cannot control herself, although there is an obvious disability, the lack of 'professional' recognition throughout the show means that it isn't a prominent factor. She is seen more as a dangerous, out of control character than one who needs professional help and people who can cater for her needs.

Fanon
Infantilized 

Beloved is a supernatural character and is the reincarnation of Sethe's daughter whom she brutally murdered during times of slavery. When Beloved returns she is the same age she was when she was killed, she is simple minded and seeming innocent. until she 'grows up' and fits the dangerous stereotype and poses a threat to her family.

Primitivized 

T'Challa has a natural fighting ability, in a positive sense, he is pursing people in the name of law and in the scene directly after the clip, he follows the commands given by law enforcers. He abides by the rules and doesn't present himself as a threat towards people/society.


Decivilized 

The men shown fit into the decimalised stereotype as they are violent, using explicit language and gathering around buildings. The antisocial behaviour is something that is replicated throughout many mediums and rarely changes.



Said

Dangerous 

The entire film shows Japan in a violent, uncivilised and Primitive state, where violence is the main priority and making death appealing and a game. However this was made by Japanese people, therefore shows how people and countries can easily represent dystopian world that can have a negative impact on the way that they are viewed.

This film shows a east vs west divide through the idea of a zombie apocalypse. The east has been taken down and they have used Bin Laden as a main factor throughout this probably to highlight the extremist stereotype. Due to soldiers being from the west there is the idea that the westerners are there to save the east.

The film Lion acts as a counter argument for Said's theory, the east has not been presented as dangerous or uncivilised it is appealing due to the perspective of the film being from Dev Patel's character. In saying that, it could be suggested that as he was ignored on the train as a child there is a sense of  them being uncivilised as they are not helping a vulnerable young child.