Exploring Orientalism in American Pop Culture: From Hollywood to Social Media
The portrayal of the Orient and its people has been a prominent factor in shaping American culture through various media channels. Orientalism uses aesthetics, politics, and social situations to distinguish the East from the West, creating a sense of difference and otherness. American pop culture, from Hollywood films to social media, has particularly been instrumental in perpetuating orientalist stereotypes that contribute to the further marginalization of the Orient.
Understanding Orientalism
Orientalism as an ideology was elaborated by Edward Said in 1978. He described it as a set of beliefs, assumptions, and interpretations adopted by Western societies in defining the East. The East is represented as exotic, mysterious, and irrational, in contrast to the rational, civilized, and orderly West. This difference results in a submissive or inferior position for the East, which is always evaluated against Western standards.
Orientalism in Hollywood Films
Hollywood films have been significant in representing and perpetuating orientalist stereotypes. One of the popular orientalist themes is the depiction of the East as a land of savage, barbaric, and uncivilized people who are a threat to civilization. In movies such as ‘The Sheik,’ ‘The Thief of Baghdad,’ and ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’ the East is portrayed as a place of danger and violence, full of treacherous people. The films also represent the East as a mystical place of deserts, camels, and veiled, exotic women. Hollywood films have also been instrumental in promoting the idea of “Yellow Peril,” through which Asians are viewed as a threat to the economic, cultural, and social order of the West.
Orientalism in Social Media
Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have also played a role in perpetuating orientalist stereotypes. Social media influencers who adopt orientalist tropes, such as wearing traditional clothing or posing in front of iconic landmarks, are quite prevalent. These images often ignore the social and political realities of the countries they depict, reducing them to mere tourist spots. Also, the portrayal of Muslim women who wear hijab as oppressed and in need of Western help reinforces the dominant Western narrative of saving Muslim women from their own culture.
Conclusion
Exploring Orientalism in American Pop Culture reveals the damaging impact these representations have on the people being represented. Hollywood films and social media have played a significant role in perpetuating orientalist stereotypes, which creates distance between the East and the West and reinforces the idea that Western civilization is superior. As consumers of these media, we need to remain vigilant and aware of how media perpetuates these stereotypes, highlighting the importance of identifying and challenging these distortions. Only with the continued promotion of a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of the East in American pop culture, can we remedy the harms of orientalist stereotypes, and move closer towards a more just and equitable society.
