Orientalism: The Dehumanization Of Arab-Americans Through 9/11
Before September 11, 2001, the stereotypes heaped upon the average Arab-American were evidence of Hollywood’s, and to a greater extent society’s, casual racism. According to the documentary “Reel Bad Arabs,” based on the book by Jack Shaheen, the United States’ idea of Arabs and their culture was borrowed from the Europeans. Orientalism had pervaded the dominant discourse surrounding Arabs in that continent, and the United States adopted it. Arabs were quickly scorned and mocked in media. Shaheen explained, “nearly 25% of all Hollywood movies that demeaned Arabs contain gratuitous slurs or portray Arabs as the butt of a cheap joke.” Arabs were portrayed as stupid, not knowing what exactly they should do with the massive amount of wealth that they have, and all too eager to have the attention of the blond …show more content…
Arabs were the ‘Oriental Other.’ A defining pillar in maintaining white supremacy, Orientalism works to dehumanize Arab-Americans while propping up white Americans and to a lesser extent non-Arab people of color. Arabs were used for little more than comic relief in order to make Americans appear smarter and more resourceful. According to Andrea Smith in her essay, “Heteropatriarchy and the Three Pillars of White Supremacy,” the logic of Orientalism is that certain nations and their people are inferior as well as a threat to the well being of an empire” (68). The empire in this case would be the United States. The purpose of Orientalism is to provide this hierarchy that places the West above the East. Orientalism, Smith explains, “serves as an anchor for war, because it allows the United States to justify being in a constant state of war to protect itself from its enemies.” (69) The United States thrives off war and in order to have people to go to war against, it requires a group of people to vilify; this was done masterfully following the events of September 11,
Summary Of Asian American Media Activism By Lori Kido Lopez
572 Words | 3 PagesShe brings forth the acknowledgement that although there has been critiques to the way Asian Americans have been portrayed and excluded from media outlets, there is a lack of recognition in their efforts to actively seek change. Throughout history there has been a wave of activism in order to protest offensive imagery, and lack of Asian American actors and industry workers. In collectively looking at these issues she defines a clear connection between media representations and the historical social issues of citizenship, and what she defines as cultural citizenship. She believes this can only be achieved through collective efforts.
Rhetorical Analysis Of 10 Years After 9/11
917 Words | 4 PagesAfter the attack on the World Trade Centers in 2001, conspiracies began to fly, fingers were being pointed, and accusations were being made. Nine years after the attack, Omar Ashmawy wrote an essay “Ten Years After 9/11. We’re Still in the Dark” to the Washington Post. In his essay, he argues that US citizens are not well enlightened on the cultures of the Islamic and Arabic people and that ignorance gets in the way of obtaining a healthy relationship with Arab and Muslim countries. With his wise use of pathos, logos, and ethos, Ashmawy creates a well written essay that captures the heart of his readers and gives an inspiring glimpse into the effects of 9/11.
The Crusades Dbq
460 Words | 2 PagesPARAGRAPH #1: INTRO: The Crusades impacted many people and major religious groups negatively and positively from Europe to the Middle East. MAIN POINT A: Trade in science, ideas, and goods (positively/to West)
9/11 Effects On Muslim Americans
291 Words | 2 PagesMuslim Americans endured more government scrutiny after September 11, 2001. The United States government decided to monitor this population. This involves surveillance on phones, worship place and funds. The US government needed to pass a law to collect data to use concerning risks. Consequently, the Several days later after the 9/11 attack, the U.S. passed the USA PATRIOT Act which is an acronym for “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” (Stan, 2014).
Stereotypes And Underrepresentation Of Latinos In The Media
1374 Words | 6 Pagesmedia, the validity of Latino stereotypes, and the promotion and consequences of media on Latinos must be evaluated at an ethical level. In order to combat the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Latinos, there must be more Latino producers, directors, and screenwriters to create media that accurately reflects who Latinos are. When considering the presentation of Latinos, the norm that is embedded in U.S. media, the validity of Latino stereotypes, and the promotion and consequences of media on Latinos must be evaluated at an ethical level. In order to combat the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Latinos, there must be more Latino producers, directors, and screenwriters to create media that accurately reflects who Latinos are. While limited by the possibility that white-based norms may be internalized and result in the promotion of the same messages that were endorsed by dominant-group media producers, it does not stop the possibility for more diversity and accurate representation of Latinos within the
Post 9/11 Stereotypes
1100 Words | 5 PagesIn fact, according to a study of attitudes towards Muslim Americans post 9/11, after 9/11 “the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported a 1,700 percent increase of hate crimes against Muslim Americans between 2000 to 2001” (Khan). While discrimination towards Muslim Americans existed before, after 9/11 the general public’s view of Muslim Americans rapidly declined and resulted in an increase in the Muslim-terrorist stereotype as well as many individuals having to face unwanted hostility. In a study on microaggressions directed towards Muslim Americans, a participant shared, “’A truck driver said to my mom, ‘Say hi to Osama,”’ presuming that because she was Muslim she was associated with terrorism (Nadal). While in another case, a participant described how because his name was Osama, his seventh grade teacher “accidentally” called him Osama bin Laden during attendance, “but [he knew]
'The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won' T Die Analysis
884 Words | 4 PagesWhen we think of heroes we often think of a masked vigilanty or a cape crusader swooping down from the heavens and saving the day. Although heroes come in many shapes and sizes, they also tend to come from different backgrounds. The people of the United States pride themselves with freedom and equality. However, still to this day there is a struggle with discrimination. Matt Zoller Seitz’s article “The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die” definitely sparked some interest and was definitely right when it came to the offensive issue most people do not see.
Why Is It Important To Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now?
547 Words | 3 PagesI decided to switch my artifact for the research paper from John Erick Dowdle’s No Escape (2015) to Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now (1979) because I think this film is more suitable for what I want to research, which is how and why the media actively shapes Americans’ perception of historical events. I am also especially interested in the role Orientalism plays in this process. Unlike No Escape, Apocalypse Now has a lot more historical significance because it came out a few years after the Vietnam War (1955-1975) and is considered one of the most famous films about the Vietnam War. In addition to that, there is more room for debate about the significance of the film and its portrayal of Southeastern Asians.
Racism And Prejudice In War Movies
1043 Words | 5 PagesThis is the problem of the contemporary war movie– regardless how good it reconstructs the historical reality, it very often bears hallmarks of racism, because discrimination is inscribed in the everyday life of the past. Sometimes we should consider racist elements in war movies as the mindless reconstruction of the
Nature And Causes Of African Americans As An Industry Issue
960 Words | 4 PagesThose who have a high exposure to negative television portrayals of African Americans are more inclined to make negative assumptions about African Americans. Sadly, unfavorable portrayals of this particular group of people not only influences the whites’ perception of them, but it influences the perceptions of the group as well. The perpetuation of African Americans as lazy has been embedded in American society, not only by words and images projected by journalists but also by a wide variety of other media and entertainment sources. The implicit bias has impacted the way African American communities have been and are being treated across practically all sectors of life in America, from courtrooms to doctors’ offices. Media bias not only negatively impacts this group’s relationship with law enforcement and the judicial system, but it extends to how they are perceived in society at large.
Racism In Haiti
862 Words | 4 PagesWhen we hear the word ‘Haiti’, many of us may think about a hopeless country that is seemingly dependent upon the United States. Whether this idea has to do with racial stereotypes or our view of the country as a whole, media plays a large role in how our view of Haiti has developed and its underlying subtle racism. In Racializing Pity: The Haiti Earthquake and the Plight of ‘‘Others’’, Murali Balaji explains how we pity instead of empathize for victims of Haiti and other third-world nations. Balaji outlines the communicational problems between whites and blacks because of Whites’ inability to relate to these “Other” people (Balaji 51). This situation creates an ethnocentric society of Whites feeling superior because of their perceived view
Discrimination Against Latinos
1285 Words | 6 PagesAccording to a study conducted by National Hispanic Media Coalition shows that people who watch entertainment or news programs about Latinos that convey negative images hold the most unfavorable and hostile views” towards them. The study also showed that even the people who are inclined “to hold positive views about Hispanics are adversely influenced when exposed to negative media images.” In addition to this we rarely see Latinos playing a leading role in a film or tv show where we can see them being portrayed positively and even though there are character who are beginning to break the stereotypes there is still a long
The Negative Effects Of Television: Is TV Too White?
1678 Words | 7 PagesTelevision has become the chief of entertainment. However, when we watch TV, we aren’t really paying attention to what’s going on. TV, in my perspective focuses more on young African-American males being assassinated by cops. Shootings like Ferguson, the Trayvon Martin case and cases on unarmed African Americans have negative effects on our culture. In today’s society, many of our complications haven risen about cops killing innocent residents, mostly black people.
Essay On Racial Stereotypes In Film
1188 Words | 5 PagesRacial stereotypes in films has occurred among people of color through characters, especially black. This has made challenges in opportunities, leading to a prevalence of stereotypes and lack of diversity on-screen, and they have also come a long way with many perspectives in the movie industry. The motion industry have had long history and criticism for its racially casting options since it has a significant role in a mass dissemination across the globe to audiences in every generation and have affected people’s belief systems. However, since a development in technologies and people’s perception, several modern filmmakers have already started to change the old stereotypes to be diverse and more positive. Furthermore,x black actors
Racism In Aladdin
1453 Words | 6 PagesThe lyrics of the song Arabian Nights are just one of the many examples in which Disney movies stereotype minority groups, even up to the level that can be identified as racism. Yet, thinking about Disney certainly does not often lead to discussions about racism. However, watching these movies now as an adult and with the ability to critically question the depiction of marginalised groups, these illustrations raise the question as to if and how beloved classic Disney features help fostering stereotypes and racism. Therefore, the following academic work aims at debating this issue. b. Problem
More about Orientalism: The Dehumanization Of Arab-Americans Through 9/11
Summary Of Asian American Media Activism By Lori Kido Lopez
572 Words | 3 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of 10 Years After 9/11
917 Words | 4 PagesThe Crusades Dbq
460 Words | 2 Pages9/11 Effects On Muslim Americans
291 Words | 2 PagesStereotypes And Underrepresentation Of Latinos In The Media
1374 Words | 6 PagesPost 9/11 Stereotypes
1100 Words | 5 Pages'The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won' T Die Analysis
884 Words | 4 PagesWhy Is It Important To Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now?
547 Words | 3 PagesRacism And Prejudice In War Movies
1043 Words | 5 PagesNature And Causes Of African Americans As An Industry Issue
960 Words | 4 PagesRacism In Haiti
862 Words | 4 PagesDiscrimination Against Latinos
1285 Words | 6 PagesThe Negative Effects Of Television: Is TV Too White?
1678 Words | 7 PagesEssay On Racial Stereotypes In Film
1188 Words | 5 PagesRacism In Aladdin
1453 Words | 6 Pages