1. What event occurred in the 1970's and 1980's that represent the presence of racial tensions?
During the 1970s and 1980s the new generation of black British children were growing up in Britain. Their parents came over with Wind-rush years, their children are the generations that are actually British and were being brought up just as British children were. It shows racial tensions as they were having to grow up with their parents ideologies and the British ones they had been taught. Tensions were growing due to the white British society not fully accepting the black British society. Also the fact that they were now British also and should be treated exactly the same as any other British child growing up in Britain.
2. Why do you think 'Pressure' was made?
I think 'Pressure' was made as an indication to everyone in Britain that these racial tensions existed and that there is no point hiding away from them. Also I think to give many white British people the outlook of the black British community and how they exist in Britain and to give us an outlook in to the prejudices they face daily. 'Pressure' has a lot of sympathy for the black British community in it, trying to prove that they should be given more of a chance, I see this due to the fact they chose to talk about how hard it is for the next generation. Cementing the fact that these children are British and just because their family may come from the West-Indies from the Wind-rush years they are still born in Britain. It proves to me that this film was made to wake-up the arrogant white society in Britain who think they can be prejudice towards the black society as 'Pressure' tries to prove these children and teenagers are apart of our country and it is our issue to make sure they have the same rights as their white peers.
3. What examples of racism are represented in 'Pressure'?
Their are many examples of racism present in the film, Such as the fact Tony not being able to go in his friends let room due to the landlady, Miss. Hawkins just because he is black. Tony's cannot seem to get a job, yet he is vastly intelligent. As the interviewer in the beginning scene seems to be trying to get rid of Tony the whole interview, proving just like all of his other interviewers they were not interested due to his appearance. His white friends even divulge in to some light racism, saying how easy he has it because he came to England got an education and now doesn't have to work, they even state they Tony must not be looking for work. The white mechanic also calls black people "you people", also stating that white and black are not the same just because not all black men get called to do national service, like white men do. His brother Colin even suggests that a white education tries to suppress black kids. Tony and his friends get abandoned by there own parents for not having a 'white' attitude to life, as if the 'white' attitude is the only way and that is far superior. Finally the policeman says "The law is not concerned with you and your lot."
4. How does the theme of collective identity come across in 'Pressure'?
The theme of collective identity is shown through 'Pressure' as you do have the strong image of the black community sticking together, such as finding their own surroundings and social events. As they go to church together and their are even specific clubs just made for the black community. I do not think any of this is by choice per say, but instead is a result of being pushed of society by the white community. 'Pressure' does work well to show collective identity, as Tony and his white friends are represented to really get along and look out for one another. This theme comes along when his friend Shelia sticks up for him against her racist landlady Miss. Hawkins. Also when Tony is with his white friends he seems to be doing fun activities and you can tell a mixed race society is where he wants to belong. Whereas when he is with his black friends he gets in to trouble and they are being made to be perceived as loitering trouble makers. Thus meaning it creates a great platform for a wide range of collective identities, supporting the theory that we should be a mixed society to function better for the young black society within Britain.
5. How do you think 'Pressure' differs from mainstream representations of black Britons?
'Pressure' gives you a personal outlook in to the specific lives of the black community in Britain, it shows you how the older generations from the wind-rush years are heavily taking on British ideologies in attempts to be completely British. Also how the younger generations of the black Britain's are finding their own country to feel like a foreign land to them. It sympathises with the black British community heavily and demands the attention from the British society and explains that they are not all thieves and criminals. Also that if they are committed of these crimes there are serious reasons for this sometimes, that they are heavily misunderstood. I personally think 'Pressure' is a brilliant eye-opener to the white British people proving that we need to start treating the black British community as apart of Britain. It takes all of the typical mainstream representations and mainly prejudices they had against the black society and tells you in detail why any of these can happen. Painting a much less threatening picture and more of a misunderstood society, that need to be brought far more in to the British society.
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