Postcolonial theory

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) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

The Yeehaw agenda started as a social media movement to reinterpret cowboy culture, especially among Black communities.

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

It's suggested that the black cowboy has been 'erased from American culture' because of depictions and historical narratives often focus on white cowboys, neglecting African Americans.

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

The black cowboy aesthetic has been reflected in the fashion industry through cowboy hats, boots, and denim

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

Lil Nas X and "Old Town Road" sparked discussions about race and the country music community by challenging traditional ideas of who can participate in country music. 

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

• Lyric Themes

• Musical Style

• Visual Imagery

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

The article suggests that genres of music such as rock and roll, jazz, blues, and hip-hop have been shaped significantly by black influences.

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

In my view, the  Yeehaw movement has been a desire to reclaim and reinterpret cowboy culture, especially among Black communities.

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?

• Reinforcement: It reinforces stereotypes by depicting Lil Nas X in cowboy attire and featuring Western culture.

• Challenge: It challenges stereotypes by presenting Lil Nas X in a empowered image, subverting expectations of what a black artist should look and sound like in the country music genre. 

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

The "Old Town Road" video challenges Gilroy's theory of double consciousness by presenting Lil Nas X confidently embracing cowboy culture and blending genres.

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.  

Lil Nas X and "Old Town Road" use Stuart Hall's theory by subverting stereotypes and changing cultural boundaries in music. He blends genres like country and hip-hop, challenging traditional expectations of race and genre.

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

In the "Old Town Road" video, Lil Nas X challenges black stereotypes by presenting a confident and empowered black cowboy, which goes against traditional expectations of race and genre in music videos.

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

Lil Nas X uses bell hooks's theory of intersectionality by challenging stereotypes associated with race, sexuality, and genre.