Beyond the Black British Body: The Cultural Representation of Discursive Black British Identities in 'Home is Not a Place' and 'Open Water'
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2023-06-15
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en
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Following the BLM movement, a cultural response can be observed, with artists seeking recognition for marginalised issues in contemporary British society. Cultural representation is specifically thought to play a significant role in the reimagination of social identities. This thesis examines the representation and lived experiences of Black British identities in Roger Robinson and Johny Pitts’ Home is Not a Place (2022) and Caleb Azumah Nelson’s Open Water (2021). This is done by adopting a constitutive and discursive approach towards identity formation. According to various scholars, identities are constructed through a complex transformative process in which imposed and self-made identities collide. Robinson, Pitts and Nelson particularly depict Black Britishness as a discursive concept through the reference of narrative photography, the signifying gaze and everyday lived experience. As such, this comparative analysis aims to show the complexities of racial identity construction, providing insights into academic and socio-political discussions regarding contemporary identity politics.
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