Paul Gilroy

Paul Gilroy

What is it?
Gilroy's theory discusses ethnicity and post-colonialism. The idea that culture has been used too often whilst trying to explain differences and divides between groups of people, as opposed to bringing people together through common interests and unity. The concept of 'Black Atlanta' draws close attention to continuities in the culture created by the African diaspora across national boundaries; for example, when newspapers represent black popular culture. 

His theory mainly focuses on ethnicity and how it is represented in the media, therefore, does not analyse other forms of inequality - such as gender. News can shape readers views through representations, making producers underestimate how much it can influence people and what they see. Consequently, Gilroy believes that these post-colonial representations can continue attitudes towards different races and ethnicities. It also shows that civilisation-ism constructs racial hierarchies and creates binary oppositions based on notions of otherness. Despite no longer having colonies, the representation of these groups is still affected by that period of time in history. 

LFTVD
This theory can be used when analysing how characters of people are represented in the media, especially in terms of race, ethnicity and western culture (referring to a heritage of social normality, ethical values and political and traditional views). For example, in long form television dramas, including Stranger Things and Deutschland 83, they identify how you can apply this theory to the media. To begin with, Stranger Things illustrates Paul Gilroy’s theory when focusing on a setting that is predominantly white, whilst Lucas is the only black person shown in the drama episode. Even though he is shown with a positive representation, it presents a lack of ethnic diversity throughout. As an audience, we know little about this character and his background until series 3. Furthermore, he is a key character, but the audience feel less connected to him because we do not know much about him as a whole. As a result, the narrative is focused on and driven by white characters. 

In Deutschland 83 it is apparent that the only black character is General Jackson. He is valued as a key character, but not a main one. However, he takes authority over the white people which demonstrates that not all media represent the same stereotypical values and beliefs. Despite this being the case, this makes it clear that there is also a lack of ethnic diversity being shown in the series over Germany during this time period (1980s). As a result, we can evaluate the usefulness of this theory being good, against both Deutschland 83 and Stranger Things, due to fact they conform to the theories ideas.

Gilroy’s theory is helpful as it presents the issues around representation of ethnicity in LFTVD’s – it makes you focus on how the media is often addressed to a white audience, through the lack of ethnic diversity, therefore marginalising other groups of people based on ethnicity. Even though this theory is useful to identify messages and values referring to ethnicity. It isn’t useful when analysing how an audience will interpret the media.

News
Gilroy’s theory can be applied to newspapers, mostly illustrated across tabloid papers than broadsheets. The target audience for mid-market and normal tabloids are often a lower demographic who are influenced easily by the terminology and layout of the newspaper – dramatic, bold titles to attract them to easy-read articles. Examples of these kind of newspapers include The Sun and Daily Mail. They are stereotypically read by people with lower intelligence and immediately read and interpret the news how it is represented by the media. Stereotypes are demonstrated showing a lack of ethnic diversity or minorities – which, consequently, proves Gilroy’s theory. One newspaper who subverts his theory is the Guardian due to their fair, factual based information represented across their newspaper, allowing their target audience to interpret and form their own views. They don’t represent the same minorities across their newspapers. Therefore, Gilroy’s post-colonial theory is not useful when discussing news all together.