Postcolonialism: WTF? An Intro to Postcolonial Theory

In this month's episode of What the Theory?, we're diving into postcolonialism with an intro to postcolonial theory in literature, film and culture.

We'll be looking at the ideas of Edward Said (as laid out in his book Orientalism), Gayatri Spivak (Can the Subaltern Speak?), Homi Bhabha (The Location of Culture) and Stuart Hall (The West and Rest).

In particular, this postcolonialism crash course hopes to give you an insight into how some of these core ideas of post-colonialism can be used to analyse cultural texts through the critical lens of postcolonial theory. As such, we'll put these ideas into action in discussing James Cameron's 2009 film Avatar and Ryan Coogler's 2018 film Black Panther.

Further Reading

Orientalism by Edward Said

Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction by Robert J.C. Young

Postcolonial Theory and Avatar by Gautam Basu Thakur

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If you've enjoyed this video and would like to see more including my What The Theory? series in which I provide some snappy introductions to key theories in the humanities as well as PhD vlogs in which I talk about some of the challenges of being a PhD student then do consider subscribing.

Thanks for watching!

Twitter: @Tom_Nicholas

References

Barry, P. (1995) Beginning Theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Hall, S. (1996) ‘The West and the Rest: Discourse and Power’. in S. Hall and B. Gieben [eds] Formations of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press. pp. 275-331.

Said, E. (1978) Orientalism. New York: Pantheon Books.

Spivak, G. C. (2010 [1988]) ‘Can the Subaltern Speak?’. in R. Morris [ed] Can the Subaltern Speak? Reflections on the History of an Idea. New York: Columbia University Press.

[eduardotorres]

I'm studying Politic science in Venezuela, with these videos I'm getting an A+ in critical perspectives. Thank u Bigheaded white man

[tobyaitken]

the lengths I go to to watch marvel movies without paying for them

[CL-Lynn]

This guy straight up played Black Panther in the background and dodged channel termination from Disney like a boss

[joannakoter]

dude, you're my hero. I'm studying geography at U of Edinburgh and some of that stuff you're covering in your videos has come up (I'm going into third year now), I've been looking for a youtuber who explains the humanities in an accessible way and finally found you! thanks for what you do, keep it up!

[dariushcreates]

As a British Iranian I must say that you have as much right in speaking this topic as much as I do. We all have different perspective but we all should have same rights. There should be more channels such as this!

[foluajiboye]

Can't stop coming back to watch this video. Maybe 10times now and still counting. Using postcolonialism as my theoretical framework as PhD student, I have always had to come back here to refresh myself with the summary of postcolonial theory when I get stuck in thinking and writing. Thank you Tom for this great job and concise summary. You dont know how much it has helped- a treasue indeed

[fredo]

You are already citing yourself. You are now a true academic.

[zaragro]

Hey Tom, I’m studying polsci and philosophy at Uni and your channel has been a saving grace for me during exams 😂

[mestery.j]

I wanted to agree with the idea that black panther is a representation of Africa in a scenario in which colonization did not exist, but then if you think about it the imagination or depiction of africa in this cultural text employs almost exclusively western technological innovations, even the cameras that are used to produce the film aren't made in Africa, which goes to prove that after all the subaltern may never speak for itself.

[Amelia-essi]

This was such a great video! I'm trying to write a paper on postcolonial theory at the moment and this was by far the best video I've seen - I thought you explored the theory with great sensitivity and thoughtfulness. I really appreciated how you linked back to more modern pieces like Avatar and Black Panther as well - you thought about how to take a really unique and insightful angle to help explain and relate back to the audience!! Thanks so much!

[katarinaprislan]

God I wish I'll meet you one day for the opportunity to talk to you, you seem to be the perfect "what if and what was" person to talk to. Can't describe how happy the fact that I found this channel makes me. You kind of saved me, to be said in a dramatic way. Thank you so much!

[jwh]

3:14 Edward Said
5:41 Gayatri Spivak
6:49 Gautam Basu Thakur
7:50 Peter Barry
9:14 Homi K. Bhabha
11:51 Dwayne Wong (Omowale)
15:42 Nteranya Arnold Sanginga

[ostsarahb]

5:29 To be fair, “gharib” the word we use to say “strange” in everyday life in Arabic comes from the etymological root (gh-r-b) that refers to the west (where the sun sets, more accurately), so that kind of thinking really goes both way XD

[lucacolombo]

Thanks Tom, just finished reading 'The Empire Writes Back' and this video has been very useful to sum up the most important aspects of this theory.

[ndimenhlebungane]

Great video and clearly unpacks post colonialism.

I must add... If you search deeper about the wars against the white colonizers right from the start, it was infact the Zulus and Indebele tribal groups who should be credited. Then only most recently can we say that Xhosa activist emerged much like the late Nelson Mnadela.
This just serves as a side note not changing the facts of the video entirely x.

[benmorran]

Loved this video just as much as the last one, Tom. I found 'Black Panther' playing in the background a little distracting though.

[claraianni]

looking forward to watch the cultural materialism video!

[hifellowhumans]

I am currently taking my master's in literature and although I am not formally writing it my thesis until next year (hopefully, when I pass the comprehensive exam), I intend to do a postcolonial reading of stories in speculative fiction. This video has been an enormous help. More power to you and your channel.

[carolyngraham]

You remained faithful to what you set out to do, using a perspective on postcolonialism to show how that perspective can be used to analyse Black Panther. As with other texts, other perspectives could have been used but I thought this was well done, clear and informative.

[kimpillado]

The fact that Wakanda is an image thought about by a westerner is still a bad thing since it gives the idea that Africa should/could have been better than it really is, and that this idea has not been realized by Africans on their own.

Makes me miss Chadwick Boseman and the struggles he might have been experiencing while shooting the film despite the chemotherapy and surgeries.

Thank you for this this helpful video, Tom!~
King T'challa shall live on!~