Postcolonial theory
Wider reading on race and Old Town Road
1) What are the visual cues the article lists as linked to the western genre?
The visual cues associated with what could be classified as part of the western genre include cowboy hats, cow prints, rhinestones, and fringed suede jackets.
2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about?
The Yeehaw Agenda by Bri Malandro — a Texas-based pop-culture archivist functions as both an archive and celebration of an archive and celebration of black cowboy aesthetics in popular culture.
3) Why has it been suggested that the black cowboy has been 'erased from American culture'?
The Black cowboy has been described as “erased from American culture” because the imagery tied to Americana has been overwhelmingly white. Because of this, the role and influence of Black cowboys has been overlooked and not widely recognized. This is why projects like Malandro’s Instagram archive and exhibitions highlighting Black cowboys are so important, as they help bring attention back to their place in Western history.
4) How has the black cowboy aesthetic been reflected by the fashion industry?
The aesthetic has been reflected in the fashion industry through brands incorporating western-inspired looks into their designs. For example, Pyer Moss included these influences in its fall/winter 2018 runway show and even featured the Compton Cowboys in the lookbook for its collaboration with Reebok, showing how this style and its cultural roots have gained recognition in fashion.
5) Read the section on Lil Nas X and Old Town Road. What does it suggest about race and the country music community?
6) What elements of the song and music video are suggested to be authentically country and western?
7) What genres of music does the article suggest have been shaped by black influences?
8) In your opinion, what do you think has been the driving force behind the Yeehaw movement?
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?
2) How could you argue that the Old Town Road video challenges Gilroy's theory of double consciousness?
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.
4) Are there any examples of Alvarado's theory of black stereotypes in the Old Town Road video? Why/why not?
5) How does Lil Nas X provide a compelling case study for bell hooks's theory of intersectionality?
A/A* extension task:
Media Magazine - This Is America: Music, Politics and ProtestRead This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest in MM65 (p14). You can find this in our Media Magazine archive. This is a great article on the power of music video in American culture.
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