Post-colonialism

1.       Summarise the three theorists we have looked at:

Alvarado- ‘Four representations of black people’ these include dangerous, exotic, pitied and humorous.

Fanon- ‘Putting on the white mask’ Fanon said that non- white people try so hard to fit in with society by behaving how white people do by putting on a ‘white mask.’

Said- ‘East vs West’ this is the theory of orientalism that mentions how it is believed that the western society is more civilised than the eastern society.

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 Yasmin gives British Muslim both a negative as well as a positive view.  From one perspective, the opening demonstrates Muslim men praying which one could argue it is highlighting their values and beliefs as well their commitment to religion. This represents the Muslim in Britain as people who righteous and who have a great religious sense.  Furthermore, the clip demonstrates a boy who is studying about his religion which reinforces the idea of the Muslims in Britain being harshly committed to their religion.  In the On the other hand, however, one could argue that Yasmin does necessarily offer a positive representation of Muslims in Britain. One could argue that her representation in the clip of her living a two sided life doesn’t make Muslims appear positive. One could argue that this relates to Fanon theory of people trying to put on a ‘white mask’ in order to fit in with society as she leaves the house wearing traditional clothes and then shortly changes into casual jeans and a top which is a westernised outfit.  This perfectly fits with Fanon ‘s theory of putting the white mask on. Yasmin also gets rid of her ring before going to work so she can be friendly to her colleagues, this could also be interpreted as her trying to be fitting in.

Moreover, although one could argue that although Yasmin is presented as someone who’s trying hard to fit in, her husband is presented as someone who’s uncivilised as he puts his finger in the jar of peanut butter as he eats it and repeats the process which makes him look uncivilised and non-westernised. Another thing that one could argue that is not very westernised is his rudeness to the little boy who is staring at him. To conclude, I personally believe that Yasmin reinforces the theory of Orientalism.

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.