Postcolonial theory: blog tasks

 Postcolonial theory: blog tasks

Wider reading on race and Old Town Road

Read this W Magazine deep dive on the Yeehaw agenda and answer the following questions: 

1) What are the visual cues the article lists as linked to the western genre? 

The article says that visual cues that are classified as 'western' are cowboy hats, cow prints, rhinestones, and fringed suede jackets.

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

The Yeehaw agenda started in September of 2018 where their was a trend of black pop-culture wearing coy boy hats. This lead to Bri Malandro who is a pop-culture archivist dubbing it the 'Yeehaw agenda'.

3) Why has it been suggested that the black cowboy has been 'erased from American culture'? 

The article says that the black cowboy had been 'erased from american culture' because the image of a cow boy and 'amerciana' was as they stated 'overwhelmingly white'.

4) How has the black cowboy aesthetic been reflected by the fashion industry?

The black cowboy aesthetic has been reflected in the fashion industry with an exhibition in a museum showing off black cowboy fashion.

5) Read the section on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road. What does it suggest about race and the country music community?

The song hit Billboard charts but was removed. This was for 'not embracing enough elements of today's country music'. After the song got removed lots of people were upset saying how there is a problem with race in country music community that people didn't accept the song because lil nas x is black.

6) What elements of the song and music video are suggested to be authentically country and 

western?

Lil Nas X uses a southern accent and uses words that are typically used by southern people. The music video has stereotypical genre conventions of country music.

7) What genres of music does the article suggest have been shaped by black influences?

rock and roll, electronic music, riot girrrl (underground female sub-genre) and punk

8) In your opinion, what do you think has been the driving force behind the Yeehaw movement?

I think that the driving force behind the movement was to challenge the racism and limits by society on black people at the time. It enables black individuals to reclaim their heritage in a way.

Applying postcolonial theory to Old Town Road

Revise the postcolonial theories we have studied and apply them to the Old Town Road music video: 

1) How does the Old Town Road music video both reinforce and challenge black stereotypes in the media?

The opening scene of the music video actually reinforces the negative stereotypes of black people since Lil Nas escapes with stolen money while being chased by other black characters who are seen as the good guys. On the other hand we can see lil nas x fitting in with the older white women in the hall and even dancing and enjoying himself which subverts typical black stereotypes.

2) How could you argue that the Old Town Road video challenges Gilroy's theory of double consciousness?

The music video challenges Double Consciousness as it has mostly black actors who come together at a house with a picket fence. This shows that they are not seen through stereotypes or the perspective of "white people". 

3) How does Lil Nas X and Old Town Road provide an example of Hall's theory of race representations? Alternatively, you could argue against this if you prefer. 

in the video Lil Nas X as a horseback outlaw, emphasising Native representation. The video includes Billy Ray Cyrus and humour from Chris Rock however some people may argue against this as it doesn't effectively tackle race since the song aims to challenge stereotypes in white country music.

4) Are there any examples of Alvarado's theory of black stereotypes in the Old Town Road video? Why/why not?

We can see Alvarado's theory through Lil Nas X's glittery cowboy outfit which is making him stand out. The video opens with a stereotype of him being chased while holding a bag of money, suggesting guilt and reinforcing black criminality. Chris Rock adds humor by using jokes to introduce and conclude "Old Town Road."

5) How does Lil Nas X provide a compelling case study for bell hooks's theory of intersectionality?

We can see intersectionality in the music video opening with diverse cowboys later on moves onto to a street scene with only Black people, contrasting the typical white setting.