Reading
American Orientalism by Douglas Little provides a close inspection of the relationship between the United States and nations of the Middle East since 1945. The book observes the development of US foreign policies and involvement in the region as the balance of power throughout the world takes a turn in favor of the American capitalist system, which used all its resources to ensure such an outcome.
The book offers a thorough historical review of U.S. involvement in the region, which began through ambitious oil multinational corporations leading to the development of a special relationship between the Americans and the house of Saud on one side, and the Shah of Iran on the other. In addition to the role played by United States as Britain’s influence dwindled, and how the US came to play a significant role in issues such as the peace process between Egypt and Israel, the Iraq-Iran war, the liberation of Afghanistan in its fight against communism, the Gulf War of 1991, and the War against terrorism.
Nevertheless, the author failed to present any solution to the American’s orientalist problem.
Waters Run Deep
Early immigrants to North America didn’t share favorable tales of the Semites of North Africa and the Middle East. Semites were viewed as misfits; they had no business in the new world; their values contradicted those of the new American colony. Those tales gave birth to orientalism.
Orientalism existed in the minds of Americans long before Radio and Television. Unavoidable traces and evidence reflect a deep rift between the two worlds. The founding fathers talked openly about their views of other races and ethnicities; they singled out specific groups.
Over the years, racist patterns trickled down and infected the American public as they saw pictures of the Middle East in books and magazines, portraying the region as a backward and barbaric society. In the late 19th century, media outlets demonized both Arabs and Jews. Orientalism and antisemitism became a norm.
However, such a portrait of the Jewish people didn’t last long. The two managed to form a special relationship after the creation of the state of Israel. Yet, the image of Arabs and Muslims didn’t change much. American pop culture enforces the barbaric and orientalist outlook.
For detailed accounts and an in-depth analysis, I recommend reading Edward Said’s Orientalism and Moustafa Bayoumi’s This Muslim American Life.
