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? 

Visual cues include: hats, cow prints, rhinestones and fringed suede jackets.

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

This came about as the black cowboy has largely been erased from American culture and media.

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

Hollywood has ignored and white washed (represent as white) black cowboys which is one reason the black cowboy has been underrepresented in the media. 

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

Pyer Moss (a label brand that presents western inspired looks) featured the Compton Cowboy - an organisation of black community leaders that preserve the history of black cowboys - in their fall 2018 runway. Telfar, another label brand, featured black music artists at the fall 2019 New York Fashion Week where they wore western accessories such as cowboy hats and chaps.

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

This section discusses how although his song did feature many country elements, he was still disqualified from Billboard's country chart . This raises the question of whether the country genre is being gatekept from black artists. 

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

The use of a banjo in the track, the cowboy outfits and the video backdrops which match the aesthetics of western music and the cowboy genre.

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

Rock and roll, riot grrl, and electronic music.

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

I believe the popularisation and mix of pop and country, in music and fashion (post modern art) , has driven the Yeehaw movement to a higher reach. Furthermore, the reclaiming of this identity within black celebrities has allowed this movement to reach big brands and companies which has allowed much more representations of black cowboys in the media.

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?

Stuart Hall: Subverts as it presents Lil Nas X as the leader rather then the slave figure, the native or entertainer which is what Hall argues the media represents black individual as. However, the character played by Chris Rock (sheriff) does reinforce this as the entertainer.

Alvarado: The music video subverts this as we see black individuals in positions of authority and safety (sheriff) and in harmony with other cultures (end scene) which subverts his key theme of dangerous. On the other hand, they reinforce the key theme of pitied as they show an urban, modern and depressing looking neighbourhood which is prominent with black individuals.

bell hooks: This subverts hooks' theory as Lil Nas X a gay black man is shown to be rising to the top despite her arguing someone with an identity like his would be oppressed.  

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

This music video challenges Gilroy's theory as we see how Lil Nas X fits into the western, cowboy life but once being transported into a modern black community he can still fit in.

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.

The sheriff is played by Chris Rock who is a black comedian. His main role is to act as a comedic relief which reinforces the entertainer role. (Q1)

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

There isn't many and the music video mainly subverts his key themes. For example, Lil Nas X breaks stereotypes at the end as he is see in a bingo hall with old men and women which represents him as caring rather than dangerous. (Q1)

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

The music video still reinforces bell hooks' theory as the music video doesn't focus on the success of black women. However, it does subvert her theory overall as Lil Nas X is black and gay which subverts as he is represented as successful rather then oppressed.  (Q1)