2.5 Postcolonial theory and the representation of race and ethnicity in television

Postcolonial theory in TV studies digs into how colonialism's effects show up on screen. It looks at power dynamics, representation, and how Western views of other cultures persist in shows and industry practices.

Race and ethnicity on TV are examined through character portrayals, storytelling, and linguistic choices. The field tracks how representation has changed over time and considers TV's role in shaping cultural identities and social norms.

Postcolonial Theory in Television Studies

Key Concepts and Applications

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• Postcolonial theory examines cultural, political, and economic legacies of colonialism and imperialism focusing on power dynamics between colonizers and colonized
• Theory applies key concepts to analyzing television content and production
  • Orientalism explores Western representations of Eastern cultures
  • Hybridity addresses cultural mixing and identity formation
  • Subaltern studies focus on marginalized groups' experiences
  • Center-periphery model examines power relations between dominant and subordinate cultures
• Critiques Western-centric narratives and representations challenging Eurocentric perspectives in media
• Explores how colonial discourses continue to shape contemporary cultural productions including television programs and industry practices

Cultural Imperialism and Television

• Cultural imperialism concept central to understanding television as tool for spreading dominant cultural values across boundaries
• Investigates representation and agency of marginalized voices in television content
• Examines potential for counter-narratives and resistance through the medium
• Analyzes how television can both reinforce and subvert colonial ideologies through:
  • Content (storylines, character portrayals)
  • Production (hiring practices, creative control)
  • Distribution (global streaming platforms, localization efforts)

Race and Ethnicity on Television

Character Portrayals and Narrative Strategies

• Analyzes stereotyping and tokenism in character portrayals examining:
  • Personality traits (aggressive, submissive)
  • Social roles (criminals, professionals)
  • Narrative importance (lead roles, background characters)
• Explores "othering" in television narratives focusing on presentation of racial or ethnic groups as different or exotic (exotic foods, customs)
• Applies intersectionality to understand interactions between race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality in representations
• Examines quantity and quality of roles for actors of different backgrounds:
  • Lead roles (protagonists, antagonists)
  • Supporting characters (friends, colleagues)
  • Background actors (extras, non-speaking roles)

Linguistic Representation and Historical Evolution

• Studies linguistic representation including:
  • Use of accents (foreign, regional)
  • Dialects (African American Vernacular English, Spanglish)
  • Non-English languages (subtitled or dubbed content)
• Considers historical evolution of racial and ethnic representation in television:
  • Tracks changes in portrayal over time (blackface to diverse casting)
  • Analyzes responses to social movements (Civil Rights Movement, Black Lives Matter)
  • Examines shifts due to cultural changes (increased globalization, demographic shifts)
• Applies critical discourse analysis to television scripts and dialogue uncovering:
  • Subtle forms of racial and ethnic bias (microaggressions, coded language)
  • Progressive representations (complex characters, authentic cultural portrayals)

Television and Cultural Identities

Television as Cultural Forum

• Analyzes television's role as space for negotiating and contesting cultural identities and social norms
• Applies "imagined communities" concept to understand television's contribution to formation of:
  • National identities (shared cultural references, national myths)
  • Transnational identities (diasporic communities, global fandoms)
• Examines power dynamics in television production including decision-making processes in:
  • Casting (diversity initiatives, colorblind casting)
  • Writing (diverse writers' rooms, cultural consultants)
  • Producing content representing diverse cultural identities (authentic storytelling, avoiding cultural appropriation)

Cultural Influence and Global Dynamics

• Studies television's influence on cultural processes:
  • Assimilation (adopting dominant culture norms)
  • Acculturation (blending of cultural practices)
• Analyzes representation and misrepresentation impact on:
  • Public perception (challenging or reinforcing stereotypes)
  • Self-identity formation among viewers of different backgrounds (role models, internalized biases)
• Explores television's role in cultural diplomacy and soft power:
  • Nations projecting cultural influence internationally (Korean Wave, Turkish dramas)
• Applies "cultural proximity" concept to understand:
  • Audience preferences (local content vs. international programs)
  • Global flow of television content across cultural and linguistic boundaries (format adaptations, dubbing practices)

Television and Colonial Discourses

Persistence of Colonial Narratives

• Examines persistence of colonial narratives in contemporary television programs:
  • Exoticism (portrayal of non-Western cultures as mysterious or alluring)
  • Saviorism (Western characters "rescuing" or "civilizing" others)
  • Cultural superiority (depicting Western values and practices as more advanced)
• Analyzes strategies for decolonizing television content and production practices:
  • Increasing diversity behind and in front of the camera (hiring policies, mentorship programs)
  • Promoting authentic storytelling (own voices initiatives, community partnerships)
• Critically evaluates role of public broadcasting versus commercial television in:
  • Representing diverse voices (mandated diversity quotas, community outreach)
  • Challenging dominant narratives (alternative perspectives, investigative reporting)

Global Platforms and Audience Reception

• Assesses impact of global streaming platforms on diverse cultural content:
  • Opportunities (increased access to international content, niche programming)
  • Challenges (algorithmic bias, cultural homogenization)
• Applies "strategic essentialism" concept to understand deliberate use or subversion of stereotypes:
  • Reclaiming stereotypes for empowerment (comedy shows addressing racial issues)
  • Using familiar tropes to introduce new perspectives (diverse casting in period dramas)
• Critically analyzes representation of historical colonial events in television:
  • Accuracy (consulting historians, using primary sources)
  • Perspective (including multiple viewpoints, addressing power imbalances)
  • Potential bias (examining production team's background, funding sources)
• Examines audience reception and interpretation in reinforcing or resisting colonial discourses:
  • Cultural background (shared experiences, historical knowledge)
  • Media literacy (critical viewing skills, understanding of production contexts)