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'Orientalism' identifies Arab stereotypes in the media
By Diana Matusewic
Published:
Thursday, April 3, 2003
The ideology of racism and its survival in the media were topics featured in the movie, "Orientalism," Tuesday in the Lady's Slipper room at 2p.m. The movie was a 40-minute interview of Edward Said, a professor of Columbia University in New York and author of "Orientalism," "The Question of Palestine" and "Covering Islam." The event was hosted by the Arab Student Organization
"The main objective is to show the values of human beings regardless of the differences that we have," said Haider Lajami, president of the Arab student organization. "Hopefully the audience can eliminate stereotypes, but at the same time speak up about it," Manaf Bashir of the Arab Student Organization said.
The concept of Orientalism started 500 years ago during European colonization in the Middle East. Exactly how it started is uncertain; perhaps it was to "justify to the homeland that the people are not worthy," suggested Haider Lajami, president of the Arab Student Organization.
In the news media, terrorism is associated with Arabs. One particular instance is the Oklahoma bombing. Automatically, many people assumed that this was the work of the terrorists from the Middle East. Once it was discovered that a white male committed the crime, he wasn't labeled a terrorist; which also raises the question: what is a terrorist? Is any violent group, such as the KKK, a terrorist or is this term reserved for violent groups in the Middle East?
"The media portrays the Arabs as the bad guys. They claim that the Arabs are terrorists or bombers but rarely victims," Bashir said.
"I like the critical framework that it provides and I thought it was very powerful to see the media footage right after the Oklahoma bombing where the newscasters were convinced that 'Muslim terrorists' must have done it; it's such a clear racial bias in the media," said Jesse Benjamin, assistant professor of human relations and multicultural studies. Benjamin also advises the Arab Student Organization.
In particular, Arabs are portrayed as violent and irrational in movies. "True Lies," a movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of numerous films where Arabs are slaughtered because they are portrayed as villains.
Besides having a reputation of violence, Arab nations are often portrayed as exotic. The Disney film "Aladdin" was one example mentioned of having this stereotype. Also in popular art, these images are maintained.
"When we exoticize people, it's a tool of dehumanization and it creates a distance between what we consider our home group and a group we consider to be different," Benjamin said. "I hope St. Cloud students and residents will take personal responsibility for combating the racism and xenophobia that's even more pronounced than normal in times like these."
The next feature film to be presented by the Arab student organization is "Hidden Wars," a film about the first Gulf War, will be showing April 10 at noon in the Atwood Little Theater.
"We want to let the people know the realities behind the Persian Gulf Wars," Bashir said.
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I'm thrilled that the Arab Student Organ... (4/4/03)
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