Paul Gilroy Theory

Paul Gilroy's Representation theory (post colonialism) is the idea that colonialism from the 1500s-1900s still exists/is present in the media today.

Definition from OCR:

- The African diaspora caused by the Slave trade has now constructed a transatlantic culture that is simultaneously African, American, Caribbean and British - the 'Black Atlantic'.

- Britain has failed to mourn its loss of empire, creating 'postcolonial melancholia', an attachment to an airbrushed version of British colonial history, which expresses itself in criminalising immigrants and an 'us and them' approach to the world founded on the belief in the inherent superiority of white western civilisation.


Applying the Theory:

News - In both Tabloids and Quality Tabloids (Broadsheets) ethnicity is still commonly portrayed in a contrasting way to how current society expectations would prefer, however opposing colonialism eras, the existing portrayal of ethnic minorities is now more related to the nationality and political whereabouts of the subject rather than their skin colour.
Due to the content being overseen by (mostly) older white males, culture and ethnic origin is still partially portrayed with post colonial stereotypes in mind - allowing Gilroy's theory to be successfully applied.

The Theory is more useful for News than LFTVD (especially set works studied).


LFTVD - Both Stranger Things and Deutschland 83 contain examples of ethnic diversity, however are still dominated by a white cast/character base. This is most likely due to the context of the narrative in the shows (1980s ethnic inequality).
ST character Lucas is one of the only common ethnic diversity representations found within the show - linking to Gilroy's theory as the character is a part of the group of young teenagers that act against Hawkin's norm. Lucas (black) is addressed by the name 'Midnight' by bullies at the school (racially discriminating him) however the other 3 boys in his friendship circle are also attacked verbally and physically, providing a sense of cross-ethnic 'teaming up' which subverts the theory.
In D83, similarly, American General Jackson is the only evident ethnic representation the audience are given. Due to Jackson's powerful status, Gilroy's theory is less useful here than in ST - however the verisimilitude of this situation is accurate as the contextual status of Germany in the 1980s was lacking in ethnic diversity.