Ethnicity and hybridity Flashcards
Hall’s study on the policing crisis (Study / example)
Conducted a study on the reasons for a wave of media reports in the 70’s about ‘mugging’. Street crime had been happening for ages, however the medias use of the work ‘mugging’ portrayed the problem as a new crime which is predominantly carried out by black people on white people. Black youth therefore came to be seen as a threat.
Halls argument using Cohens concept of moral panics (Sociologist)
Hall argues that black youth provided a convenient scapegoat, and used Cohens concept of moral panics to describe the way in which public concern about mugging was whipped up by sensationalist media reports. He suggests that the reason for this moral panic was a ‘crisis of hegemony’ - because there was an economic decline in Britain and there was growing class conflict, the state sought to shift the blame onto black youth.
Downes and Rock’s criticism of Halls arguments (Sociologist / example) AO3
They point out that the rise in crime among the black population may have been very real when the unemployment figures and the existence of racial discrimination had been taken into account. They also point out that moral panics (for example the one of the mods and rockers) cannot be explained simply.
Pryce and Gilroy (Sociologists)
They emphasize the way in which black youth subcultures need to be seen as a form of resistance, as a response to racism. In recent years, a variety of other black youth subcultures have emerged which suggests that for many young black people ethnicity, as well as age, is important in developing a cultural identity. Young black people have also been an influence on white culture (eg, dress, music, and colloquialism)
Johal (Sociologist)
Argues that some Asian people adopt a ‘hyper-ethnic style’ which is an exaggerated form of their parent culture, including watching Asian films or listening to Asian music. This can lead to an ‘empowerment thorough difference’.
Brah (Sociologist)
Identified that ethnic hybridity can cause something called ‘code switching’ in which Asians move from one cultural form to another depending on their context and whether they should overt more ‘Britishness’ or ‘Asianess’.
Resistance against racism, concept (example)
Rastafarianism (a religious movement among black Jamaicans that teaches the eventual redemption of black people and their return to Africa) can be seen as an example of resistance against white racism. The Braisian subculture shows more hybridity with young British Asians because they blend aspects of their parent’s asian culture with aspects of british popular culture. However, they hang onto their traditional culture which can be seen as a form of resistance. Resisting complete assimilation into the white British culture, and celebrating their heritage.
Mercer (Sociologist)
Discusses that black hairstyles such as the afro and dreadlocks are important in establishing identity, and could be seen as a form of resistance. Straightened hair was seen to be submissive of white culture, however Mercer argues these interpretations are simplistic and all hairstyles are forms of hybridity.
How does Hebdige criticize the CCCS, functionalists, and feminists? (Sociologist) - Could be used as AO3 in another question about functionalism.
They all don’t consider the impact of race and ethnicity on youth subcultures. Hebdige argues that there is a clear relationship between the black styles of fashion, music, and dance but these weren’t explored in detail. However in the US, black subcultures are studied.
Cashmore (Study)
Looks at gangster rap and argues that it can be seen as a hybrid form. He argues that rap culture has changed and local artists in different countries have changed the style of rap and adapted it onto their own culture. (This supports postmodernism ideas of fluidity in subcultures).
Nayak (Example)
Identified a group called the ‘white wannabes’, a group of white working class males who had adopted the style of black culture. They listen to hip hop, wear lots of accessories, and dress in a way that is associated with black males. (A possible explanation for this is because black male culture has a lot of masculinity which the white working class boys want to reciprocate)
Vale and Juno (Sociologist and example)
They argue that the body modifications done by modern primitives re seen as a reaction to powerlessness created by living in a fast-changing world. Modern primitives are a hybrid culture that take inspiration from non-western ethnic groups referred to as ‘primitive tribes’ and use their use of body modifications in their own culture.
Hutnyk (Sociologist)
Argues that the Western world strips meanings from symbols and uses them in a superficial way.
Cultural appropriation (example) AO3
Artists such as Madonna, Miley Cyrus, and Katey Perry have been criticized for cultural appropriation. Hybridity can be viewed as positive because it develops understanding of different groups and is a form of ‘cultural exchange’. However, it can also be viewed as negative, as some ethnic minorities feel they’ve been disrespected from people how use their culture without knowing the origin.
Nightingale (Study)
They studied young black males in Philadelphia. Similarly to Young’s ‘bulimic society’, Abrams and Merton, he believed that young black males consumed media and accepted the American Dream but could not reach the goal of money and status legally, so they turned to crime (ilegitimate opportunities).
