5/16 Orientalism Video Response

5/16 Angel Truong Orientalism Video Response

            After watching the video, I believe the concepts of orientalism is still maintained today. From the video, Edward Said introduces orientalism and how the concept is based on notions of people in the Middle East that are polar from Western society. The concept is based on Westerners’ subjective observation of the East yet they claim orientalism is an objective or scientific concept. Orientalism is the notion that Middle East or countries from the East are uncivilized, barbaric, undeveloped, and more spiritual than Westerners who are deemed civilized, developed, and intelligent in the science domain. This concept still prevails today especially with America’s War on Terror. After 9/11, orientalism continues and is more noticeable because of America’s attempt to stop terrorism after 9/11. In the video, Said mentions that U.S. interpretation of orientalism has been based only on its relationship with Yemen and the war for Jerusalem. Thus, because of that political debate, orientalism has continued in America with more emphasis on terror and violence. Therefore, today orientalism in America has not changed since America still used the negative concepts of orientalism to explains terrorism since 9/11. I would say the only small difference is that America exaggerates violence more than the original orientalism that was based on European’s perspectives.  

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