Postcolonial theory: blog tasks

  this W Magazine deep dive on the Yeehaw agenda 


1) What are the visual cues the article lists as linked to the western genre? 

Cowboy hats, cow prints, rhinestones, and fringed suede jackets .

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

In September 2018, the trend of black pop-culture figures wearing cowboy garb was dubbed the “Yeehaw Agenda” by Bri Malandro, a Texas-based pop-culture archivist. 

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

To prevent the black influence upon the cowboy aesthetic.

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

The Compton cowboys gained over 25000 followers and started to sell merch. Pyer Moss then featured a runway with the Compton cowboys in 2018.

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

The erasure of the song from the country charts reveals a problem with race in the country music community. 

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

The costumes , traditional dances and the horses.

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

Rock and roll, punk, riot grrrl, and electronic music.

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

The lack of inclusivity for the black community regarding the cowboy genre.

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?

Black stereotypes of gangster themes which is demonstrated through the lyric ' lean all in my bladder ' which refers to the drug lean. Black stereotypes are challenged through Lil Nas X dancing at the end of the video. 


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

Lil Nas X is welcomed by all the white people when he comes into their dance class.

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.  

According to Stuart Hall's theory, viewers frequently confuse race with class, which causes people to identify specific races with particular social classes—for instance, white people are more dominating and wealthy than non-white people. 

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

Humorous conventions are demonstrated through Chris Rock. Exotic demonstrations are also conveyed through the outfits.

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

 Lil Nas X subverts bell hook's idea as gender is presented in a fair and equal way.

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