Post-colonialism: Edward Said

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

Alvarado
-Pitied
-Humorous
-Exotic
-Dangerous

Fanon
-Primitive: exotic
-Infantilize: pity
-Decivilize: gangsta stereotype
-Essentialize: they all look the same
"putting on a white mask"

Said
The Europeans divided the world into two parts; the east and the west or the civilized and the uncivilized and have created certain stereotypes about the east.

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?

It offers a rather negative view of British Muslims as it shows that they live in poor areas and that some women strive to put on a "white mask" in order to fit in with society. The opening scene reinforce Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east as it shows the women being stopped by two white policemen when she is wearing her headscarf suggesting that they have power. Also, the graffiti written on the wall was quite offensive and was directed to the uncivilised east.

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.

Alvarado



The video shows that people should feel "pity" towards the people shown in the advert.



This music video shows the "exotic" side of Trinidad & Tobago within both the culture and the women that are seen in the video.



Kevin Hart is a famous comedian and is known for his stand up comedy as shown which shows the humorous side to the Black ethnicity.

Fanon



Decivilize: Footage of the London riots




Primitive: Shows that Africans are good at sport




Essentialize: All black people look the same

Said



Stereotype shown on the Simpsons of Apu being a terrorist



Vines showing the typical Arab stereotype