Worldwide Orientalism Issue - Assignment Example

On Orientalism A. Review of Sections Section Edward Said on Orientalism First section deals with the introduction Edward Said and his contribution towards establishing Middle Eastern studies as discipline. It highlights his most cherished book ‘Orientalism’ which was first published in 1978 which not only got so popular that it got translated into twenty six languages but also sparked controversies. Edward Said himself speaks of how the Arab Israel War of 60’s added weight to his personal experience that there is a pre-conceived notion of Middle East in West. The section provides base to the coming sections where post-colonialism and west’s misunderstanding of the east is discussed in much detail. Section 2 - The Repertory of Orientalism In this section Edward Said highlights that west considers the orient as a place out of historical evolution. He points out that westerners portray India or Egypt in the same way today as they did one fifty years back as if societies here are static while west is progressing. He further points out that west created an image of east which was based upon colonial mindset in which they showed east as a mystic, ancient and non-progressive society and this attitude is prevalent in all sections of society may it be literature, science or social norms. Section 3 - Orientalism and Empire In this section Edward Said furthers the debate with a sustained argument that history of imperial conquest is at the back of Orientalism. He explains that British and French rules the colonies for a long time and they only developed that much understanding of these societies as was required to rule over them and a human approach to understand the locals was never made. He further explains that this imperialism is not only material but also ideological in form and traces the seeds of ideological imperialism at Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1789. He also stresses that American Imperialism is different from the British or French on account of two factors; Americans imperialism is indirect whereas British and French ruled thee societies directly and American Imperialism is more politicized because of the presence of Israel in the region. Section 4 - Orientalism Today: The demonization of Islam in the news and popular culture Section four of the movie elaborates American Imperialism in deeper details. Here, Said argues that the way Islam is projected in western media is a big problem. Muslims are shown as villains in movies, cartoon and news media and a sense is created that somehow they have to be crushed. He argues that terrorism is only one factor but US has practically sanctioned Anti Arab Racism and situation has only deteriorated in recent decades. He also refers to his book covering Islam and points that in reality Arabic world is quiet secular but it is projected as extremist to feeds US military industry. The role of Arab rulers is also discussed who being dictators want American patronage and have no interest in a viable information policy. Section 5 - Orientalism in Action: The Media and the Oklahoma City Bomb Oklahoma City bombing was a domestic act in US. This section re-produces many a media clips where Muslims and Middle Eastern hand was pointed out by media even without an iota of evidence. Edward Said explains that such racism existed that the mere fact he was from Middle East prompted media to believe that he would better understand the thinking of Middle Eastern terrorists. Section 6 - Orientalism and the Palestinian Question Edward Said was not only a Palestinian but also a staunch supporter of their cause. He elaborates that his three books Orientalism, covering Islam and the question of Palestine are all closely connected to this issue. He states that Arabs are paying the cost of holocaust where they did nothing so infect they are the victims of the victims. He stresses that there can be no peace without resolving the issue of Palestine stating that Palestine-Israel conflict is a test case for 21st century whether we live together or keep fighting. He further stresses the need of understanding history objectively and to create an identity more human than prejudiced. B. Critical analysis of two sections Orientalism Today: The demonization of Islam in the news and popular culture There are certain issues in this part of the video which hold themselves true for greater part of last two decades but then there are a few issues which are described by Said as if they form the basis of a problem but they were merely related to a very short period of time. For instance, when Said says that projection of Islam in West is a problem and they are treated as villains in movies and cartoons, we can see that it has actually happened a lot during the last fifty years or even more. There are sufficient evidences to prove that this has indeed been the case. But when he suggests that US has practically sanctioned Anti Arab Racism the statement probably does not hold itself true for larger part of last half century. After 9/11 this situation did develop for a period of time but that was very much explainable in the aftermath of those attacks. Situation got much better in the years to come but Said was not alive to see those changes as he died in September 2003. Also, if we go back o the cold war era we would see that during the Soviet’s Invasion of Afghanistan US was an ally of ‘Jihadies’ and image of Islam was very good in US. If we compare US with other western countries we will also see that US policies had been much better for Muslims than many European counterparts so putting all the blame on US policies is not fully justified. In the past years when Cartoon Controversy developed in Europe, US media showed much more restraint than European countries’ media. US policies -towards religion as a whole and Islam in particular - has also been much better than certain European countries e.g. France where a basic individual right of head covering has practically been banned much to the anger of Muslims. Orientalism and the Palestinian Question Edward Said, being a Palestinian himself, understands the core issues in Middle East better than most scholars in the west. The beauty of his argument is his balance in this regard. On one hand he says that holocaust was essentially a European affair and Palestine had nothing to do with it so they are sufferings for the crimes of Europe. But then, he does not make it a political slogan like many Palestinian activists. He argues that because he was once thrown out of his homeland so he does not want it to happen to the Jews now. Instead, he looks at it in a more humane way where some possibility of co-existence must be searched. He stresses for a more objective understanding of history where history is not studied as the affair of losers and winners but the affair of human beings entitled to live in peace. In this section of the interview Edward Said has probably described one of the biggest truths about the twenty first century. He can not be truer when he says that Palestine-Israel Conflict would be the test-case for twenty century. This statement is a multi-faced truth as is the Middle East Crisis. The tensions in Middle East effect Politics, Social patterns, religious sentiments and military preparations. Its outcome will have far reaching impact on not only world politics but also the cultural, social, economic, military and religious patterns of this century. This problem is at the heart of world problems and its amicable solution is the only way for the world to move forward. C. Difference between Said’s Oreintalism and Huntington’s Clash of Civilization When Francis Fukuyama wrote his book “The End of History and the Last Man” in early nineties of the last century it caused much debate. He advocated that the western civilization had reached the pinnacle of human civilization and neither any civilization had ever reached such peak nor would it ever do so in future. The “Clash of Civilizations?” was originally an article written by Samuel P Huntington in 1993 in response to Fukuyama’s work. He later developed his thesis and wrote the book “The clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order” in 1996. His thesis revolves around the idea that after the end of cold-war there is a vacuum created in the world political order which will not last for long. He believed that western civilization had not reached the pinnacle of socio-cultural evolution but was merely at a cross-road. He believed that an other clash of civilizations was around the corner and future clashes would be based upon cultural and religious conflicts. He says that the great divisions among humankind and the dominating sources of conflict will be cultural. The clash of civilization will dominate the global politics. He advocates that the ruling civilization of the world –west- is in imminent danger from two potential civilizations i.e. Confucianism and Islam. In this regard he says that west must exploit differences and conflicts among Confucian and Islamic states to support in other civilizations groups sympathetic to western values and interests, to strengthen international institutions that reflect and legitimate western interests and values, and to promote the involvement of non-western states in those institutions. On the other hand Edward Said’s thesis is very different. He advocates that the only way the world can and should move forward is by learning to co-exist among different cultures and religions. He points out that no culture or society is purely one thing and there are a difference even among the same cultures and religions but that does not indicate a clash. He elaborates that Islam in Indonesia is very different from Islam in Arabic world and asks if it prompts a clash? He also points out the case of many areas of Arabia where Christians and Muslims live side by side for centuries and share the same culture in many ways. So there can be differences among same cultures or religions whereas there can be commonalities among different cultures and religions. He also points out many sizable minorities in the world; Africans in France, Indians and Pakistanis in England and Asian & Chinese Population in Canada are clear examples of it. He says, “Today’s world is a world of mixtures, migrations and crossing over the boundaries.” When we compare the two scholars’ work we notice that Huntington’s work reflects the mindset of a particular set of people. The fact that his article first got published in a foreign affairs article directed towards policy makers also suggests that it addresses certain stake holders in the international politics but ignores many ground realities in the process. Edward Said, on the other hand, points out those ground realities. The background he comes from –an Arab-American with Christian background and a half western half eastern name- also helps him understand the realities better. We can also see that Huntington’s views are themselves not neutral and he looks to propagate certain notions while ignoring the others whereas Said is more critical in thinking and sounds deeper in his understanding. He demands a better understanding of other religions and cultures from west instead of writing the ‘prescriptions of war’. He maintains that west –being the dominant society- has to choose between finding common grounds with people of other beliefs and raising extreme political rhetoric, of which he suggests the later. D. Strengths or weaknesses of Video In the video Professor Edward Said is introduced by Satvinder Jhally who is himself a cultural studies scholar and Professor of Communication at University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also elaborates many points raised by Edward Said throughout the video. Having a research scholar as the anchor adds value to what he says and thus the video as well. The video is primarily an interview with Edward Said by adding graphics at required places adds value e.g. where any book of Said is discussed the title is shown along with. Similarly, at many places clips of media-personals, movies, cartoons and masses are shown to support what was being said in the interview. For example, where Said talks about Oklahoma City bombing and media’s false allegations, actual media clips are shown which provides ready evidence in support of the arguments. Orientalism is a complex discipline and the video provides basic information for starters in a very lucid way. This video may not be much appealing for people who are well versed in international relations or political science and have read major books on the topic but it is a very good source of information for students still new to the subject. It is also a good source for anyone interested in studying the book Orientalism as it develops further interest in the topic. Certain other books and scholars are also referred during the course of movie which also attracts viewer’s attention. All in all, it is a very good source for early oriental studies and a must recommendation for starters in International Relations, Political Science, Cross Cultural Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. Work Cited All material retrieved on November 18, 2009 from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HQiHuEuuhk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj39Py-shOA&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ6hf68tudI&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdwKXOmsg7c&feature=related Read More