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Postcolonialism: Race, Identity and Nation (1) General introduction: Colonialism, Orientalism and Racism [2. Race and (Post-)Colonial Identities –Homi.

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Presentation on theme: "Postcolonialism: Race, Identity and Nation (1) General introduction: Colonialism, Orientalism and Racism [2. Race and (Post-)Colonial Identities –Homi."— Presentation transcript:

1 Postcolonialism: Race, Identity and Nation (1) General introduction: Colonialism, Orientalism and Racism [2. Race and (Post-)Colonial Identities –Homi Bhabha, the subaltern, diaspora, 3. Nation and Narration] A misnomerA monster Different from the other ‘post’s.’ Gender and Race, Canon, Postcolonial history, Postcoloniality, (literary) strategies of resistance, center vs. margins, globalization... etc. Re. chap 3 p.200.

2 Q 1: How is the racism against Japanese- Canadians or the other minorities (e.g. Chinese, Foreign Laborers here) related to colonialism?

3 Race vs. Nation Immigration: the results of the push (from homeland) and pull (host nation) forces, which are mostly determined by economic and/or capitalist needs Nation and Race: Nation supported by nationalism (national race)  Internal Racism Colonialism: External Racism capitalismcolonialismimmigration

4 Racism and Colonialism Social Hierarchies of Class, Race, Gender, and Culture Racism = Colonialism = Economic, Military, Cultural. Individual (inverse racism) Institutional, Linguistic/ cultural, Physical. More systematic than personal

5 Starting Questions 2 What are the examples of colonialism? Is KMT’s regime an example? What are the examples of colonial thinking (e.g. the racial/cultural prejudices and stereotypes) in “English” culture and literature (or literary canon)? Is de-colonization possible? How do we or the colonized resist colonialism in life and through literature?

6 Outline u Colonialisms DefinitionDefinition u Cultural Imperialism & Orientalism: Theories & Examples Cultural Imperialism TheoriesExamples u Racism & Cultural Containment and Appropriation RacismCultural ContainmentAppropriation u Summary Summary u Reference Reference

7 Colonialism –two kinds 1. pre-capitalist colonialism: Before it, the Crusades in the 2nd century; Genghis Khan's invasion of Middle East as well as China in the 13th century. 2. European invasion of Africa, Asia and the Americas since the 16 century onwards. Causes: modernization, nationalization, capitalism

8 Colonialism –two kinds (2) major differences: "Modern colonialism did more than extract tribute, goods and wealth from the countries that it conquered -- it restructured the economies of the latter, drawing them into a complex relationship with their own, so that there was a flow of human and natural resources between colonised and colonial countries.

9 Modern Colonialism: Definition and Kinds Definition: colonialism --military, economic, cultural oppression & domination of one country/race over another. Kinds: 1. Invasion-colonization (Japan  Taiwan); 2. Settlement-colonization (UK  Canada, US); 3. Internal Colonialism; 4. Neo-Colonialism  frequently related to immigration  caused by the push of poor environment at home and the pull of capital. (Ref. textbook chap 4 305)

10 internal colonialism 1. Racial Domination within an existing territory 2. Uneven wave of industrialization → Inter-group differences in power → Ethnic division of labor → Ethnic identities are forged and ethnic colonies formed (ghettos, or internal segregation). Related to minority discourse or immigrant culture/literature.

11 Colonialism: Flows of Natural Resources and People 1. Triangular Trade 2. Middle Passage

12 Colonialism: flows of migration Flows of Migrants 1 st World Colonial powers: Adventurers, Army, travelers, missionaries, immigrants “Third World”: Slaves, Contract laborers, Students, businessmen, etc.

13 Cultural Imperialism (1): Theories  1. Culture (e.g. literature, language, popular culture) supports/justifies imperialism and is one way to spread it. (e.g. the civilizing mission)  2. The definition of the self and others are based upon representations rather than reality;  3. A series of binary oppositions (exact opposites) were employed to at once define the colonized subjects and the colonizing masters.  [later] colonial ambivalence The West/Self as civilised, just, moral, industrious, rational, Masculine The Oriental/Other as savage, lewd, lazy, superstitious, feminine

14 Cultural Imperialism (2): Theories  Decoration and support for building the Empire (e.g. Mansfield Park);  Biological Differences: Justification of Racism

15 Cultural imperialism (2): E. Said’s Orientalism Barker p. 203 1. Examining ‘scholarly works, works of literature, political tracks, journalistic texts, travel books, religious and philosophical studies” (Said 23) 2. As a discourse—constructing knowledge and within power networks; 3. Eurocentric (even in some more sympathetic writings); 4. East vs. West 5. e.g. Orientalism –presenting the East as “the Other” (weaker, less civilized, inscrutable, wicked), or as “the exotic” e.g. Arabian Nights, Madame Butterfly and all the images of Oriental women as submissive, sexual and sweet.

16 Cultural Representation of the Other Fixed under the white man’s gaze and in colonial discourses as one of the binaries  exotic/sexy; evil/wickes/animal Objectified: Serving (as a symbol, a background) for their constructions of or search for the Self (self vs. Other)

17 The Other as (e.g.1): mapped Terra Incognita –by a discoverer figure  1. Heros (scientists) mastering a new land and its treasures E.g. Indiana Jones, Lawrence of Arabia, The Jungle Book (by R. Kipling), The King and I, King Solomon’s Mine.

18 The Other as (e.g.2): a Dark Continent for one’s psyche  2. Africa: as a stage for the whites’ moral, sexual, or existential struggle "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look at it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it: not a sentimental pretence but an idea; an unselfish belief in the idea something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer sacrifice to…“ (Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness) Others: Out of Africa, Sheltering Sky, The English Patient (1+2).

19 The Other in (e.g. 3): the “White Man’s Gaze”  "A study of black and white" from a postcard, 1901

20 The Other in (e.g.3): Rape and Rescue Fantasy  3. Rape and Rescue Fantasy –virginal white women, or black women sometimes, rescued from black men. E.g. The Birth of a Nation, The Last of the Mohicans, or as Harem Jean-Aguste-Dominique Ingres' The Turkish Bath, 1862 Credit: The ArtchiveThe Turkish BathThe Artchive

21 e.g. 3 What does the gaze involve? John Gabriel Stedman (1744 – 7 March 1797) 1) Apparently benevolent or objective The Narrative of a Five Years Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam (1796) ”an important tool in the early abolitionist cause.” abolitionist John Gabriel Stedman stands over a slave after the capture of Gado Saby, from the frontispiece of his Narrative.. (image and info source)image and info source "A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows," by William Blake.William Blake

22 The Narrative vs. the Diary Joanna – In the Narrative: an object of beauty and S’s desire, his wife who chooses to not follow him to Europe because of her status as slave. In the Diary ---offered as a slave girl used for sex, S having more sexual encounters before meeting her. An engraving of Stedman's wife Joanna, from the original edition of Stedman's Narrative. Provided with permission by The Pennsylvania State University Eberly Family Special Collections LibraryThe Pennsylvania State University

23 She was a beautiful young negro Maid and while I was Meditating on the shocking Load of her Irons I myself nearly escaped being rivitted by Fascination - I now took a draft of the wretched Creature upon paper which I here present to the Sympathising Reader. (qtd Wood 140) “…the small pedastal, the weight, the gesture itself, all have the effect of sculptural display.” (W 142) Why hiding her gaze? p. 338 ‘Flagellation of a Female Samboe Slave’ William Blake, 1796 Engraving and etching on paper p. 18 A Female Negro Slave with a Weight Chained to her Ankle, from Narrative of a Five Years Expedition Against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam 1772-77, 1796 Eroticized or sympathetic figures?

24 Torture foregrounded Shredded loin cloth p. 338 ‘Flagellation of a Female Samboe Slave’ William Blake, 1796 Engraving and etching on paper Eroticized or sympathetic figures? Color version: http://www.artchive.com/web_gallery/J/Joh n-Gabriel-Stedman/Flagellation-of-a- Female-Samboe-Slave,-1793,-plate-36- from-Narrative-of-a-Five-Years-Expedition- against-the-Revolted-Negroes-of-Surinam,- engraved-by-William-Blake-1757-1827,- pub.-1796.html

25 Vol 2 p. 409 Europe, supported by Africa and America 'Group of Negros, as imported to be sold for Slaves', Surinam, 1793. Artist: William Blake

26 Different only in color? Going now to take my leave of Surinam, after all the horrors and cruelties with which I must have hurt both the eye and the heart of the reader, I will close with an emblematical picture of Europe supported by Africa and America, accompanied by an ardent wish that the friendly manner as they are represented, they may henceforth and to all eternity be the props of each other… We only differ in colour, but are certainly all created by the same hand. Vol 2 p. 409 Europe, supported by Africa and America

27 The Other as (e.g. 5): Darkness symbolized  White vs. Black: Edouard Manet Olympia, 1863

28 cultural imperialism (2): Literary Examples 2. The Caribbean: --  The Tempest– Caliban  Robinson Crusoe– Friday  Jane Eyre –the madwoman Bertha  Mansfield Park– dependant on the business from the West Indian Estate (in Antigua; clip)  And many other Victorian novels.—as decoration or evil margins. as servant, barbarian or double.

29 cultural imperialism (3): White Man’s Burden 2. The Orient:  English Studies in India  Taiwan: Popularity of translations of American novels such as those of Hemingway and Jack London.  Taiwan: Un-self-reflective absorption of English/American literary canon/values

30 cultural imperialism (4): Consuming Ethnic Colors Furniture from Artikeln

31 cultural imperialism (4): Consuming Ethnic Colors 1. Why Inuit art, but not West Coast aboriginal tribes or others? 2. Does this answer their struggle for land claim? Ilanaaq as an emblem for 2010 Olympic atWhistler, Canada

32 Cultural Imperialism: Effects Stereotypes self-hatred [inferiority complex] or Split Subject (e.g. Black Skin, White Mask) Culture assimilated and/or appropriated Resistance

33 Are they racist? (1) Internet Jokes on Cultural Differences – Aussies: Dislike being mistaken for Pommies (Brits) when abroad. Canadians: Are rather indignant about being mistaken for Americans when abroad. Americans: Encourage being mistaken for Canadians when abroad. Brits: Can't possibly be mistaken for anyone else when abroad.

34 Aussies: Are extremely patriotic to their beer. Americans: Are flag-waving, anthem-singing, and obsessively patriotic to the point of blindness. Canadians: Can't agree on the words to their anthem, when they can be bothered to sing them. Brits: Do not sing at all but prefer a large brass band to perform the anthem. Internet Jokes on Cultural Differences –

35 Americans: Spell words differently, but still call it "English". Brits: Pronounce their words differently, but still call it "English". Canadians: Spell like the Brits, pronounce like Americans. Aussies: Add "G'day", "mate" and a heavy accent to everything they say.

36 Languages British Accent: sounds aristocratic and thus elegant; American Accent: sounds democratic and open-minded; Black Accent: sounds streetwise and 豪放.

37 Dealing with Cultural Conflicts – Avoid type- casting When you have problems working with a person of another race (e.g. Japanese or Indian), you then assume that all the Indians/Japanese are like this.

38 How racism is explained away the culture of poverty thesis  The culture of poverty thesis holds that aboriginals are poor because their culture does not value hard work, economic success, and private property.  However, this argument has been criticized because it confuses effect with cause. (or model mi nority ) – using, for instance, Asians as model monorities against Blacks or the Aborigines.  cultural containment

39 Cultural Containment Roots – criticizes the individuals but not the system. Cosby Show – an image of success.

40 Cultural Appropriation: A subtler and more complicated form of racial inequality e.g. The use of black cultures Madonna’s use of vogue dance – (as opposed to Janet Jackson’s “If”) Jazz, Blues, Rap... etc.

41 Cultural Appropriation (2): Dances with Wolves: (Shohat 194) 1. pro-indigenous1. Bad Pawnees/good Sioux (to be a dead species) 2. Respecting their language & cultures (e.g. costume) 2. Euro-American man marrying a non-Indian woman. 3. Changes the direction of the industry 3. Ignoring the present lives of the aborigines.

42 Cultural Appropriation (2): Cry Freedom – not really a story of Steve Biko, an apartheid fighter. Mississippi Burning – FBI investigators as the heros,

43 You have learned... u Definitions of Colonialisms u Cultural Colonialism (Orientalism & Cultural Imperialism): Theories & Examples u Racism: Theories and Examples

44 Next Week you will learn... Different kinds of (post-)colonial Identities. Post-Colonial Theories

45 Ref. (1) Race: Definition Are racial attributes (e.g. what being a “Chinese” means) naturally born, or socially acquired?  The classification of humans into races is now widely regarded as arbitrary from a biological viewpoint because actual genetic differences between racial groups are trivial.  However, racial groups are real in a sociological sense insofar as people with different skin colour, etc., are commonly treated differently. (www.soc- canada.com/ppp/ch09.ppt)www.soc- canada.com/ppp/ch09.ppt

46 Ref. (2) new racism  involves the belief that the races are inherently different from one another in a cultural and behavioural sense, and problems result when they try to live together.

47 Ref. (3) Postcolonial Mimicry -- The Hong Kong Prayer Our Brother Who art in Beijing, Xiao Ping be thy name. United Kingdom gone, Thy will be done, in Hong Kong As it is in China. Give us this day, Our daily bet, And forgive us Our speculations, As we forgive those Who speculate against us. Lead us not Into Communism But deliver us From gweilos. For this is The Sovereignty, The Power of Authority Forever and ever Chow Mein.

48 Reference Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. Christopher Barker. Sage: 2000. Wood, Marcus. “John Gabriel Stedman, William Blake, Francesco Bartolozzi and Empathetic Pornography in the Narrative of a Five Years’ Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam.” An Economy of Colour: Visual Culture and the Atlantic World, 1660-1830. Ed. Geoff Quilley and Kay Dian Kriz. Manchester: Manchester University Press; New York: Palgrave, 2003. 129-52. Ella Shohat, Robert Stam. Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media by Routledge; 1994.


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