Postcolonial theory

 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? 

-Cowboy hats and boots

-Horses and rodeo imagery

-Denim,fringe,leather

2) How did the Yeehaw agenda come about? 

-A resurgence of interest in Black cowboy history

-Viral internet culture and memes

-A push to reclaim country/western aesthetics as part of Black culture

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

-Media and Hollywood centred white narratives 

-Cultural storytelling reinforced a whitewashed version of the West

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

-Runway collections featuring western wear

-Black models styled as cowboys/cowgirls

-Luxury brands reworking cowboy imagery with modern,Black cultural influence

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

-Country music has historically excluded Black artists

-Old Town Road challenged genre boundaries

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

-Banjo-based instrumental

-Cowboy imagery and setting

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

-Country

-Hip-hop

-Rock and roll

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

The Yeehaw movement is driven by cultural reclamation and digital virality.Social media also allowed Black creators to challenge historical erasure which allows black voices to not feel as marginalised as they used to be.

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?

Reinforces-Outlaw/criminal imagery (bank robbery scenes),Association with rebellion

Challenges-places a Black artist in a traditionally white genre (country),shows Black success, wealth, and mobility and reclaims the cowboy identity.

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

Gilroy argues Black individuals experience tension between identities.However, Lil Nas X blends identities seamlessly such as rap and country.He also embraces both Black and “country” identity confidently.We could argue the video shows fluid identity rather than conflict challenging Gilroy.

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.  

Hall argues representation is constructed and changeable.The video reconstructs the cowboy as black which subverts most cowboys stereotypes.It also challenges dominant media narrative and the meaning of “country” is reshaped.

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

Some “criminal/outlaw” imagery appears which reinforces Alvrados theory of black stereotypes.The music video is exaggerated and comedic which reinforces stereotypes of black people.However the characters in the music video are mostly not seen as a threat which can mean that in some ways Old Town Road subverts Alvrados stereotypes.

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

Intersectionality is overlapping identities (race, class, sexuality, etc.)Lil Nas X is a strong example because he is black,young and works in a traditionally white, conservative genre.He challenges racial boundaries,gender/sexuality norms and cultural expectations.This shows how identity is complex and not one-dimensional which means that Lil Nas X brings out diversity and does not reinforce racial stereotypes.