Paul Gilroy’s theory of post-colonialism points out that Britain has an air-brushed version of colonial history. It suggests that Britain has failed to mourn the loss of the empire and this has influenced politics and attitudes towards non-white people in Britain today. Britain actively celebrates the conflicts against Hitler during World War 2 because ‘standing firm against the Nazis comforts Brits by making them feel righteous and perennially innocent- we are actively forgetting the process of colonization that as it is distasteful to u. He argues that we need to understand Britain's colonial history in order to strengthen our contemporary multi-culture. Britain has constructed its national identity in a way that views itself and its position to not include blackness; Blackness and Britishness are perceived to be mutually exclusive, always seen as 'other.' The idea that colonial discourses continue to inform contemporary attitudes to race and ethnicity in the post colonial era. The idea that 'civilisationism' constructs racial hierarchies ad sets up binary oppositions based on notions of otherness.
The Sun is known for its controversial opinions a predominantly right wing views. We can see this emulated through the papers headlines about immigration, which act as a way of proving Gilroy's points. With the first front cover that reads 'draw a red line on immigration', the idea that colonial discourses continue to inform contemporary attitudes to race and ethnicity in the post colonial era is seen. the ideology that The Sun hold concerning immigration itself creates a binary opposition and attempts to establish a clash between cultures, alienating anyone not from a white British background.
The second cover also reinforces Gilroy's ideas- the headline reads 'Beleave in Britain', with the 'leave' having the Union Jack in the background. Through this, the idea of otherness is again established. It suggests that anyone who isn't from a British background doesn't deserve to live in Britain. Additionally, the headline places the fault on those immigrating to Britain- this proves Gilroy's point as it seems to place the fault on those who are immigrating to Britain, disregarding the fact that this issue has arisen because of Britain itself. 'We are actively forgetting the process of colonization as it is distasteful to us.'
Finally, the third front cover has the headline which reads 'illegals have landed.' Again, this alienates ethnic minorities from Britain through this phrase, as it quite literally references the idea that they are aliens landing on earth. These ideas prove Gilroy's point as it suggests that we have constructed national identity in a way that views itself and its position to not include blackness. All the pages create a binary opposition of us vs them, and the pictures featured either villainise immigrants or place us on a pedestal, suggesting superiority.
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