Rafia Naveed

Collective Identity

25/04/14

Discuss how your chosen groups identity has been mediated. Youths are mediated both positively and negatively within the media. British youths are often broken down into chavs, gangsters, nerds and emos just to name a few. The group I have decided to research and look into is the collective identity of youths, this however is a very large group, therefore I decided to look deeper and in depth with a certain sub group. The collective identity I will explore more deeply into is the sub-culture of the ways in which black British male youths are represented. Within this essay I will explore how the media today represent youth in different ways. This for example showing the dominant image of the youths such as them being criminals and being associated with gangs. In contrast to alternative representations of black British youths being positive role models and singers/rappers. This essay will also look into the effect these representations have on the public and how black British youths being mediated within the media has changed. Between the 1950s and the 1960s young people had a peri od of freedom because everything was so new and different due to what had happened before this time (WW2). This was when youth culture was invented. It can also be said that 1950s saw the birth of the angry young men who rejected the values of society. This is still portrayed within the media today. Stereotypically black British male Youths are seen as rude, rebellious and materialistic. The dominant image of youths within the media are of them being seen as criminals and being apart of gangs. This youth group is based on behavior, interests and style, all of which are represented in a more negative way. This can be seen in films such as Bullet Boy (2004), Kidulthood (2006), Adulthood (2008) and Shank (2010). All these films come under the film genre hood film, which includes aspects of hip-hop music, street gangs, racial discrimination and the problems of young black men coming of age or struggling in a predominantly white society. The film Bullet Boy was distributed and made through the UK Film Council, which shows one of the main reasons it may have been created; which is mediate this dominant image, and to show why it may occur so frequently. Within the movie, Curtis, who is Rickys younger brother reads out an interesting fact which sticks out to Ricky, and is ultimately one of the reasons he decides to change his negative ways into something more positive. You might find it hard to gain employment with a criminal record A criminal record Ricky has already got. This film however shows the transition of a black British male youth, a transition which is not represented in the media often. As he realizes that what he is doing is no good for him, and that the area he lives in doesnt help, he wants to start fresh and change for the better. This automatically shows the public that he is intelligent for realizing this, and for realizing his potential. This is evident from the scene of him leaving, as it shows how he has broken the stereotypical view of a black youth, especially one living in a council estate. If I stay here Im going to keep getting dragged in is what Ricky says, which foreshadows what happens at the end of the movie, where revenge seekers decide to end Rickys life. This can be contrasted to
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Rafia Naveed

Collective Identity

25/04/14

another British film, Kidulthood. The opening of this film presents the stereotypical, dominant view where a 15 year old boy, Trevor is in school and is seen adjusting a firearm. In addition to this, later on, he is seen to get Alissa pregnant, portraying that black youths are not only dangerous but are also irresponsible and are rebels. It can be said that black British youths are known to be in the medias attention due to their involvement with criminal behavior. This dominant image of black British youths is also seen in the 2011 Riots which occurred throughout the UK. One of the reasons for these outbreaks was due to the claim that there can be no peace without justice which was said by friends of Mark Duggan who was shot by the police. These riots are a clear presentation of racial tension and once again economic decline. David Guantlett believes that Identities are not given but are negotiated and constructed. This dominant image can be linked to Gramscis cultural hegemony theory, as this youth group has been seen to be standing up for quality and justice, in some way. This links to what Tony Blair had said in The Observer, that the riots were not cause by a broken society but due to a group of alienated, disaffected youth who are outside of the social mainstream. This quote connotes the former Prime Minister view, on how this youth group stands out within society in a negative manner. An alternative image if black British male youths mediated can be rappers/singers or footballers. These are present in the media, but are not always dominant, and do not always make the front paper or the breaking news. Being a young black footballer or a rapper is seen as influential and positive, therefore can be seen as inspirational role models. This because they have succeeded in life by pursuing their dreams. A key example can be the music industry, which is a strong influence, but sometimes forgotten about. It tends to play a key role within society by allowing artists to communicate and express their ways and feelings through music. This can be seen through Tinie Tempah. He started pursuing his career at the age of 20 in 2005, but it wasnt until 2011 he was seen in the charts and was all over the UK music industry. Ever since then he has been touring with Drake, Rhianna and Usher. In addition to this, rapper Bashy wanted to use his small audience to help promote change. This was done in 2007, by realizing a song called Black Boys. It was creating by catching the imagination of a country suffering from many incidents of violence amongst its inner city youth. Lyrics su ch as This is to all the black boys growing up and Ooh Child, Things Are Gonna Get Easier, Ooh Child, Things Will Get Brighter led to a lot of controversy. Many believed that this was a racist video and song, and due to this many created video responses and uploaded them onto Youtube. This representation shows black British youths as positive individuals. This alternative image can also be seen through youth football clubs which are seen to be a huge encouragement for youths to stay of the streets and be more productive. This is seen fro both Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck who joined under 18s for Manchester United and Maidstone which have now led to them playing for not only Manchester United but also England.
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Rafia Naveed

Collective Identity

25/04/14

A redundant image of youths in Britain presented within the media are big arrogant and rude whilst wearing hoodies. This reoccurring image is perceived as subliminal power. This can be seen in films like Harry Brown (2009) and Attack the Block (,2011) but also TV Programmes such as Youngers. Both films explore British teenagers, due to the phase they are in. This is because they are young, with no real commitment and therefore are seen to have a lot of spare time on their hands. Within the film Attack the Block, all of the youths who are main ly black hunt in unison, and 75% of the time they cover their faces. A connotation of youths covering up their faces can be to hide their identity and to potentially live a double life. The youths within this film are not only foulmouthed but are also materialistic. This is seen at the beginning of the movie, where the leader of the group claims that a broken car will be valuable. This long lasting image has been portrayed within the media through the years. Harry Brown follows the story of an ex-veteran who decides to take justice into his own hands due to the murder of his best friend. He is faced with a group of youths, dominantly male figures. Within the trailer Harry says that To them [youths] out there, its just entertainment. This once again l inking back to the dominant image of male youths within the media, being represented as murderers or criminals. Cohens theory of moral panic can be linked to this. This is because people out of the norm become defined as a threat to society. In comparison to this, an absent image of black British youths within the media are them being presented as young entrepreneurs and potential role models. This can be seen from new media such as YouTube stars and TV talent shows, such as this years The Voice (BBC). Jamal Edwards became a young entrepreneur at the age of 20, when his Youtube channel started getting a lot of notice. From a teenager on a council estate to a self made millionaire, Jamal was able to create his own youth media channel, SB.TV. SB.TV is now known to be the UKs biggest youth media channel, and due to this recognition Jamal Edwards is an ambassador for Princes Trust. This is a youth charity ran by Prince Charles which supports young people in setting up their own companies. Not only is Youtube seen as helping out youths, this years winner of The Voice, Jermaine Jackson claims that he wants to be the first black singing prime minister of the country. This shows the Youth Parliament which helps youths in certain areas do good within the community, leads onto bigger and better opportunities. This example can also be seen in Channel 4s programmes Youngers. This programme follows the lives of 2 South East London teenagers claiming to be the next big thing within music. This programme changes the outlook on black British male youths which have been presented in films like Kidulthood and Bullet Boy. This can be linked to Girouxs theory that youth culture can be seen as an empty category. He believes that the representation of youths is constructed by adults and what the media portray of them. To conclude, black British male youths are represented both positively and negatively within the media. However, the negative representation is what tends to stay in the publics eye. Mc
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Rafia Naveed

Collective Identity

25/04/14

Robbies symbolic violence theory conveys the boundary between two classes. This is what can be seen through black British male youths who are trying to their voices heard.