Paul Gilroy - postcolonial theory and diasporic identity

1) How does Gilroy suggest racial identities are constructed? 

Gilroy argues that racial identities are not natural or fixed, but rather products of historical processes. They have been shaped through events such as colonialism, the slave trade, nationalist ideologies, and the rise of consumer capitalism. In his view, race is a social and historical construct that has evolved through these power dynamics.

2) What does Gilroy suggest regarding the causes and history of racism?

According to Gilroy, racism stems from and is sustained by historical systems of oppression. Racial divisions were created through conflicts and unequal power relations between groups throughout history. Essentially, ideas of race were born from racism, not the other way around, and reflect long-standing struggles for dominance and resistance.

3) What is ethnic absolutism and why is Gilroy opposed to it?

Ethnic absolutism is the belief that humanity is naturally divided into distinct and unchanging ethnic or racial groups. Gilroy rejects this idea because it assumes race is a biological truth rather than a social construct. He argues that such thinking ignores how race has been shaped by racism and historical circumstances, and it prevents understanding of identity as fluid and interconnected.

4) How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?

Gilroy describes diasporic identity as fluid and hybrid, emerging from movement, exchange, and memory rather than from a single origin point. For him, diaspora is about the journeys (“routes”) that connect people across time and space, not just the “roots” of where they came from. This view emphasises shared experiences and cultural blending over fixed notions of belonging.

5) What did Gilroy suggest was the dominant representation of black Britons in the 1980s (when the Voice newspaper was first launched)?

In the 1980s, black Britons were largely portrayed as outsiders to the British nation, detached and alien from the mainstream image of national identity. Gilroy suggested that acknowledging Britain’s history of slavery and colonialism would disrupt this exclusionary view, allowing black Britons to be recognised as integral to the nation’s cultural and historical identity.

6) Gilroy argues that diaspora challenges national ideologies. What are some of the negative effects of this?

While diaspora can challenge narrow national identities, it can also bring difficult consequences. Experiences of rejection, discrimination, and exposure to regressive ideologies can foster a shared sense of marginalisation among diasporic groups. These collective experiences may strengthen community identity but also reinforce feelings of exclusion from the broader nation.

8) Why does Gilroy suggest slavery is important in diasporic identity?

Gilroy highlights slavery as a foundational element of diasporic identity because it fundamentally shaped modern societies and economic systems. The transatlantic slave trade connected racial oppression with global capitalism, leaving deep social and cultural scars. Even after abolition, the legacy of slavery continues to inform ideas of race, freedom, and belonging, making it a central part of understanding black identity in the modern world.

9) How might representations in the media reinforce the idea of ‘double consciousness’ for black people in the UK or US?

Media portrayals often strengthen the sense of ‘double consciousness’, the tension between self-perception and societal perception experienced by black individuals. Gilroy suggests that while black people are integral to Western history, they are often depicted in ways that marginalise or misrepresent them. When media outlets rely on stereotypes or exclude authentic narratives, they deepen this internal conflict between personal identity and public image.

10) Finally, complete the second activity on page 3: Watch the trailer for Hidden Figures and discuss how the film attempts to challenge ‘double consciousness’ and the stereotypical representation of black American women.

The Hidden Figures trailer challenges double consciousness by depicting black women as brilliant, capable, and vital to the success of the U.S. space program. Rather than repeating harmful stereotypes, it portrays them as empowered professionals who demand respect and recognition. This positive representation confronts historical misrepresentation, showing black women as central figures in both American history and progress.