Gilroy’s post colonialism theory

• Who is the theorist associated with post-colonialist theory discussed in the guide?

  Paul Gilroy
• What is necessary to understand Paul Gilroy's post-colonialist theory?


  Understanding colonialism or colonization
• During which centuries did the period of colonialization occur?

  1500s to 1900s
• What was the main action taken by countries during the period of colonialization?


  Countries claimed other countries as their own and took over
• Which country is specifically mentioned as having engaged in colonialism?

  Britain
• What did British soldiers and government do in colonized countries?


  They installed their own military and government
• How did the locals in colonized countries respond to British rule?


  They had to obey and listen to the British rulers
• What was one of the goals of British colonialism according to the guide?

  To increase the British Empire and power
• What does Paul Gilroy believe about the effects of colonization?


  It has had a massive knock-on effect visible in media today
• In what year does Gilroy suggest we can still see the effects of colonization in media?


  2018
• How does Gilroy view the representation of ethnic minorities in media?


  They are often dehumanized and marginalized
• What term does Gilroy use to describe how ethnic minorities are often portrayed?


  Other
• What does the term "other" imply in the context of Gilroy's theory?


  Being seen as abnormal or different
• What are the key aspects of Paul Gilroy's post-colonialist theory as discussed in the guide?


  • Understanding colonialism is essential
  • Colonialism occurred from the 1500s to 1900s
  • Britain was a major colonial power
  • Colonization involved taking over and ruling other countries
  • Ethnic minorities are often dehumanized in media
  • The term "other" is used to describe marginalized groups
  • Media representations reflect post-colonial ideas
• Who is the theorist discussed in the study material?

  Paul Gilroy
• What does Gilroy argue about representations of black males in the 1970s and 1980s?

  They criminalised and stigmatised the black community
• How does Gilroy's focus shift in the 1990s?

  To British identity in postindustrial Britain
• What term does Gilroy use to describe the media's response to the UK's declining global position?

  Post-colonial melancholia
• What historical loss does Gilroy associate with the UK's decline?

  The loss of the post-war Empire
• How does Gilroy describe the media's portrayal of British identity?

  Infused with Union Jack waving nostalgia
• What does Gilroy argue about the representation of immigrant black communities?

  They are constructed as a racial 'other'
• What does Gilroy suggest about media stories in the post-war period?

  They intensified fears of immigrant communities
• How did media coverage in the late 1970s and 1980s affect perceptions of black communities?

  It associated them with violent crime
• What does Gilroy argue about the media's depiction of black criminality?

  It generalized individual acts to the whole community
• How did The Daily Mail report on Eton pupils in 1982?

  Linked their drug charges to Rastafarian influences
• What significant event does Gilroy link to a change in media representation?

  The 9/11 World Trade Centre attack
• What does Gilroy label the post-9/11 media representations?

  Civilisationism
• What worldview does civilisationism construct according to Gilroy?

  A binary worldview of good vs. evil
• How does Gilroy describe the subtext of the 'war on terror' rhetoric?

  It perpetuates a racial hierarchy
• What does Gilroy argue about the media's focus on European and Muslim groups?

  It suggests they are incompatible communities
• What term does Gilroy use to describe the everyday reality of racial integration?

  Cosmopolitan conviviality
• What does Gilroy suggest about the political repercussions of civilisationism?

  It enables a 'securitocracy'
• What does Gilroy argue about the treatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay?

  It is justified as a necessary measure
• What does Gilroy argue about the British identity crisis?

  It stems from the loss of the British Empire
• How does Gilroy describe the cultural anxiety in Britain?

  As a sense of national rootlessness and guilt
• What does Gilroy suggest about the immigrant population's role in British identity?

  They symbolize the loss of global power
• What are the key concepts in Gilroy's theory?

  • Racial binaries and otherness
  • Civilisationism
  • Postcolonial melancholia
  • Legacy of the British Empire
• What are the implications of Gilroy's concept of civilisationism?

  • Constructs binary worldviews
  • Has a racist subtext
  • Nurtures cultural incompatibility
  • Fosters fear and securitocracy
• What are the contrasting views of theorists challenging Gilroy?

  • David Gauntlett: Optimistic view of media change
  • Henry Jenkins: Participatory culture and online communities
• What is postcolonial melancholia according to Gilroy?

  • Deep-rooted shame from the loss of the British Empire
  • Deflected through media nostalgia
  • Associated with anxiety surrounding British identity