Terrorists with long beards and long swords, for most Americans that is our image on an Arab. In literature Arabs were portrayed as the lowest civilization of mankind. Yes, I had doubts when I went to Jordan especially on a plane full of Arabs flying at night, but I didn't let those doubts define me. For one we all know that all Muslims are not terrorists and only >1% are. I didn't see anyone with a long beard while I was in Jordan and that was surprising. I would go into mosques and people would welcome me in. This documentary states that Arabs worked with the Jews/Nazis and that couldn't be further from the truth. A lot of people I met in Jordan, many refuges from Palestine,Lebanon were not fans of the Jewish people because they killed their prophets. It was nice meeting people in Jordan that believed all religions should work together and see a church and a masque next door help build a community rather than destroy one worth quarrels. The film Death Before Dishonor is a disgrace. The skepticism that the Oklahoma bombing was Middle Eastern shows our ignorance. An ignorance that most are blind to until they leave the country and live in a new culture. While I was in Jordan I was breaking down stereotypes and building a "bridge" between our two cultures. Stereotypes such as gangs and promiscuous women having slumber parties... I am glad that I went to Jordan and saw these stereotypes falsely advertised and everyday since I've returned I try to spread my experience and accounts to those that are for better term a stubborn door. This stereotype will end within the next 5 years. I like Syriana where they said share the energy in the Middle East and use the money to build their cities. The US needs to stop portraying and reporting lies and that will only help if we start sharing our experience that we've learned and experienced from being in the Middle East.
Before class on Wednesday, I never thought about the stereotypes given to Arabs in so many different Hollywood movies. When we watched the videos on Aladdin, I have to admit I was excited because I love that movie so much, any Disney movie actually. But when the stereotypes were pointed out, my mind was blown! As a little kid, I never noticed the stabs at the Arab culture and Arab individuals. This relates to the part of the documentary that deals with the natural feeling we have towards movie. When we see a stereotype, there isn’t something in us that feels it is wrong, we just accept it. This is especially harsh when the stereotype is them all being terrorists. Such a horrible accusation. This part of the documentary really hit home because I am guilty of accepting all of the stereotypes. After watching this, I’m eager to learn more about the Arab culture and people!
The scene from the film Rules of Engagement in which Samuel L. Jackson shouts “Waste the (expletive deleted)!” brought to my mind something from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. I’m referring to the part of the novel wherein the reader is shown Kurtz’ writings about the goodness of colonialism which, in order to show the atavism underlying Kurtz’ high-minded rhetoric, end abruptly in the exclamation “EXTERMINATE ALL THE BRUTES!” The sort of dehumanizing of Arabs perpetrated by Hollywood seems to me very little removed from that of colonial apologists such as Kurtz, who dehumanize colonial subjects. When one equates negative characteristics with skin color or ethnic identification, it is generally in order to evade having to think of oneself as potentially having such characteristics. Not only is this detrimental to one’s ability to grow as a human being, but also it makes unspeakable horrors seem justifiable to the racist, as the people he hates are, to him, not quite “people” and he himself, by virtue of not pertaining to their group, is an exemplary being who could not possibly do the bad things he imagines the “Other” to be capable of doing.
The first words mentioned in this documentary hit home for me. Dr. Jack Shaheen stated “…they’re portrayed basically as sub-humans… the term used by Nazis to vilify Gypsies and Jews. These images have been with us for more than a century”. This statement hit close to home for me. Being Jewish I understand and have learned a lot about discrimination and prejudice and stereotypes. As I think about it more, I think it’s terrible that we allow these negative stereotypes in our films because people can rely on that information and that be the only information they understand about a different race or culture. In my opinion no one should be treated as “sub-human”. The fact that we allow Arabs to be shown this way is a terrible fact; one that needs to be changed immediately.
In class on Wednesday when Aladdin was brought up, I was excited. I have not seen that movie in a long time, and I enjoyed it as a kid. When we actually listened to the words of the song though, I was in shock. I could not believe that Disney would first of all do this, second release it to the public, and third, it is so hidden to me until now. Throughout life we watch movies and just accept what is happening. That is not ok. Like the documentary talked about the natural feeling towards movies, I would say most of us in class had this feeling. But we need to start going against it. We should not just accept what we see in movies and not question. I think that is one of the biggest problems our generation has is that we are not curious anymore. Like Youssef was talking about in class, Arabs are curious about America so they do their research. Today it seems like Americans are really not that curious and just go with whatever they have learned, but that’s it. There is no further questioning.
I thought that this video was very sad and surprising. Before class on Wednesday, I never paid any attention to how Hollywood portrays Middle Eastern people. I was not surprised about the Aladdin film because Disney has supposedly always been slightly racist and stereotypical. I know for a fact that the media has an effect on the way people perceive Arabs. I had heard people say some hateful remarks about some of my Middle Eastern friends. Unfortunately, the only way to change this stereotype is to teach the new generation of children about people who are different from them. My parents had raised me this way and I would have to say that it is highly effective. I wish that I could change the world and make everyone make peace with each other and take time to understand each other.
The part of this documentary that I found interesting was the part where it talked about the stand-up comedians. I am a pretty big fan of stand-up comedy and I have actually seen both of the comedians that are in this documentary. I have also seen the Axis of Evil comedy tour. The name is slightly racist but it is named this way for comedic purposes. The special features four Arab comedians that poke fun at some of the common stereotypes perpetuated by our media. They also make jokes about some harsh realities, like not being able to get through an airport without being questioned. It is very funny and I would say it helps to humanize Arabic people. I like to think I've learned through my pop culture and justice class when to spot media dehumanizing certain groups of people. I've watched all of the Bond movies. I know all of the villains have either been Russian or Middle Eastern. I have to admit watching Aladdin the other day in class was a surprise. I remember watching that movie all the time when I was little and I had the original version that had that racist song at the beginning. I guess I just never really thought of the movie like that. It was pretty eye opening though. I would like to see more movies that show all aspects of the Arab culture.
For me personally, I know that the documentary touched on many different stereotypes that I have come to believe over the years about Arabs. I was so ignorant to the fact that not ALL Arabs are what I thought them to be. Hollywood portrays them as “sub-humans” and that is what I was exposed to so that was all I knew.I feel like that may be the reason that some Arabs don't like Americans because of the way we portray them. Taking this class is not only helping me to learn the language but the culture as well.
While watching this video I was surprised at how many movies in Hollywood stereotypes Arabs without me even realizing it. Before Wednesday it has never occurred to me how much Arabs are stereotyped and I was definitely surprised about the movie Aladdin! Watching the video I did notice there was a pattern of how Middle Easterners were portrayed, they were made out to be dumb, dirty, womanizers, and terrorists; when most Arabs aren’t! The video clap that really got me what when they showed the movie Chapter Two, where the man says “ how was London?” and the brother replies, “full of Arabs.” It’s true, if they said any other race, it would be a big controversy, but why isn’t it for Middle Easterners? It unquestionably shows that there is still racism in America today and it clearly needs to be stopped. Real Bad Arabs has certainly opened my eyes on stereotypes and I will now keep my eye out for any, no matter what race.
I don't remember having any negative feelings about Arabs as a kid from watching Aladdin but I could have. I do remember not being able to tell the difference in between Arabia and India and being confused for a long time. The scene where Harrison Ford shoots the Arab man with the saber wasn't planned but done by the actor because he was annoyed that there was a whole physical action scene planned out and his character still had a pistol on his hip. The director decided to keep it because it was funny. I really don't know what side to take on this. I usually catch stereotypes ans racism really well, but I don't see it as much here. Maybe it's because I'm so used to recognizing it, that it doesn't stick out. Or, it could be that I have a distorted image of the Arab world. I love the Arab world though. Especially stories of the times around the crusades, how Syrian built(Damascus Steel) swords could cut right through European swords, and how Baghdad and Timbuktu had immense libraries. I think my head also throws the junk out that isn't realistic and just sees it as a story.
I can't honestly say that I never realized how negatively Hollywood or Americans in general portray Arabs. After watching this documentary I am ashamed. I didn't even realize that movies I have grown to love from my childhood are actually what helped foster the image, that I now know to be false, of the Arab world. Long beards, uncleanliness, and suppression is all I used to assign with Arab people. Watching this documentary I was horrified, I realized that people who don't know any better are influenced by images such as these. Even the one liners such as "full of Arabs" is terrible. I know that if the tables were turned that would never fly in America. I just hope that the stereotype changes with time and I hope to be one of the people that helps change it. The first step in awareness and trust me I will spread it.
Watching the documentary was not only an eye opener but it also engulfed me in anger. It was an eye opener because usually when I watch movies or television shows I notice everything that's racist against African Americans. It's become sort of an unconscious thing. And now when I watch television I notice a lot more racism towards Arabs and others. It's as if Hollywood stereotypes Arabs and African Americans in sort of the same way. This is what enrages me. Arab men are portrayed as violent, emotion-less beings, so are African American men, Arab women are portrayed as very promiscuous and sexual, usually wearing minimal amount of clothing, same for African American women. Also the documentary touched on how Arabs are portrayed as not being very intelligent and not so good with money. Once again same as Blacks. It's very sad that Hollywood sees something that they are not and are compelled to immediately dehumanize them. Hollywood is full of cowards and bullies!! LAPRECIOUS, arab 1001
Danielle Ebanks It wasn’t until this past semester that I truly began to see the negative connotations against Arabs. When I was younger, I watched American films that contained Arab villains and blindly always rooted for the American hero. Being a black woman in America, I understand the difficulties of prejudices placed against my people. It is because of these that I must overachieve and excel in order to defy these stereotypes. Lately, I have been watching foreign films that show the Arab perspective on political conflicts especially the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. Movies like Miral and The Wedding Song give young Arabs a voice and show outsiders that not all Arabs have hate in their hearts. Nor are they ignorant, violent, or seductive. I agree that words such as “Muslim” or “Arab” now have threatening meanings because of the media. As we discussed in class, Arabic words such as taliban often are associated with terrorism. Although it seems as wishful thinking, I hope that one day the world will be at peace. Just as the Jews were slaughtered by the Germans, the Jews are now mistreating Arabs. It’s a vicious cycle. Human nature is flawed in the fact that one must demean and degrade an entire people in order to make oneself feel superior.
Charles Bains Arabic 1001 I never actually looked at the negative image given to arabs in hollywood. watching this documentary I feel a little bad about my support of hollywood. i watched alot of movies in my youth that looking back at now vilify arab people. I am learning now to separate my view a little between an arab and a muslim even though I may not interact with either much in my future. It was very eye opening to see the beard sterotype and the dirty sterotype examined. I think it is very bad the way people are often portrayed in movies and this just adds to that opinion.Steotypes do change such as many with blacks in america and maybe this one will change too. I am going to the store right now to buy a huug an arab t-shirt!
This movie was a big eye opener for me. In the past I never really put much attention to many stereotypes in movies. However, now my eyes are open. This movie shows how the media can negatively distort the viewers perspective of a certain ethnic group. When I was a child I used to watch a lot of movies depicting Arabs and many were villains. There weren't many good depictions of Arabs. There is good and bad in every culture, race, religion etc etc...but it shouldn't be the medias task to constantly bombard the viewers with negative images and portrayals of a group because many viewers are gullible and will believe anything that appears on a television screen. If the media is going to depict a movie showing an Arab as a villain then fine let it be because we can't stop them but we can help them realize that we want to see Arabs as Heroes also! Heroes exist everywhere just like in every culture, race, and religion etc....For every movie that depicts arabs as villains. there should be two movies showing them as Heroes, good doers etc....
Aaron Ward
ReplyDeleteARAB 1101
Terrorists with long beards and long swords, for most Americans that is our image on an Arab. In literature Arabs were portrayed as the lowest civilization of mankind. Yes, I had doubts when I went to Jordan especially on a plane full of Arabs flying at night, but I didn't let those doubts define me. For one we all know that all Muslims are not terrorists and only >1% are. I didn't see anyone with a long beard while I was in Jordan and that was surprising. I would go into mosques and people would welcome me in. This documentary states that Arabs worked with the Jews/Nazis and that couldn't be further from the truth. A lot of people I met in Jordan, many refuges from Palestine,Lebanon were not fans of the Jewish people because they killed their prophets. It was nice meeting people in Jordan that believed all religions should work together and see a church and a masque next door help build a community rather than destroy one worth quarrels. The film Death Before Dishonor is a disgrace. The skepticism that the Oklahoma bombing was Middle Eastern shows our ignorance. An ignorance that most are blind to until they leave the country and live in a new culture. While I was in Jordan I was breaking down stereotypes and building a "bridge" between our two cultures. Stereotypes such as gangs and promiscuous women having slumber parties... I am glad that I went to Jordan and saw these stereotypes falsely advertised and everyday since I've returned I try to spread my experience and accounts to those that are for better term a stubborn door. This stereotype will end within the next 5 years. I like Syriana where they said share the energy in the Middle East and use the money to build their cities. The US needs to stop portraying and reporting lies and that will only help if we start sharing our experience that we've learned and experienced from being in the Middle East.
Before class on Wednesday, I never thought about the stereotypes given to Arabs in so many different Hollywood movies. When we watched the videos on Aladdin, I have to admit I was excited because I love that movie so much, any Disney movie actually. But when the stereotypes were pointed out, my mind was blown! As a little kid, I never noticed the stabs at the Arab culture and Arab individuals. This relates to the part of the documentary that deals with the natural feeling we have towards movie. When we see a stereotype, there isn’t something in us that feels it is wrong, we just accept it. This is especially harsh when the stereotype is them all being terrorists. Such a horrible accusation. This part of the documentary really hit home because I am guilty of accepting all of the stereotypes. After watching this, I’m eager to learn more about the Arab culture and people!
ReplyDeleteMelanie Steinke
DeleteARAB 1001
The scene from the film Rules of Engagement in which Samuel L. Jackson shouts “Waste the (expletive deleted)!” brought to my mind something from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. I’m referring to the part of the novel wherein the reader is shown Kurtz’ writings about the goodness of colonialism which, in order to show the atavism underlying Kurtz’ high-minded rhetoric, end abruptly in the exclamation “EXTERMINATE ALL THE BRUTES!” The sort of dehumanizing of Arabs perpetrated by Hollywood seems to me very little removed from that of colonial apologists such as Kurtz, who dehumanize colonial subjects.
ReplyDeleteWhen one equates negative characteristics with skin color or ethnic identification, it is generally in order to evade having to think of oneself as potentially having such characteristics. Not only is this detrimental to one’s ability to grow as a human being, but also it makes unspeakable horrors seem justifiable to the racist, as the people he hates are, to him, not quite “people” and he himself, by virtue of not pertaining to their group, is an exemplary being who could not possibly do the bad things he imagines the “Other” to be capable of doing.
Darby Galler:
ReplyDeleteThe first words mentioned in this documentary hit home for me. Dr. Jack Shaheen stated “…they’re portrayed basically as sub-humans… the term used by Nazis to vilify Gypsies and Jews. These images have been with us for more than a century”. This statement hit close to home for me. Being Jewish I understand and have learned a lot about discrimination and prejudice and stereotypes. As I think about it more, I think it’s terrible that we allow these negative stereotypes in our films because people can rely on that information and that be the only information they understand about a different race or culture. In my opinion no one should be treated as “sub-human”. The fact that we allow Arabs to be shown this way is a terrible fact; one that needs to be changed immediately.
In class on Wednesday when Aladdin was brought up, I was excited. I have not seen that movie in a long time, and I enjoyed it as a kid. When we actually listened to the words of the song though, I was in shock. I could not believe that Disney would first of all do this, second release it to the public, and third, it is so hidden to me until now. Throughout life we watch movies and just accept what is happening. That is not ok. Like the documentary talked about the natural feeling towards movies, I would say most of us in class had this feeling. But we need to start going against it. We should not just accept what we see in movies and not question. I think that is one of the biggest problems our generation has is that we are not curious anymore. Like Youssef was talking about in class, Arabs are curious about America so they do their research. Today it seems like Americans are really not that curious and just go with whatever they have learned, but that’s it. There is no further questioning.
I thought that this video was very sad and surprising. Before class on Wednesday, I never paid any attention to how Hollywood portrays Middle Eastern people. I was not surprised about the Aladdin film because Disney has supposedly always been slightly racist and stereotypical. I know for a fact that the media has an effect on the way people perceive Arabs. I had heard people say some hateful remarks about some of my Middle Eastern friends. Unfortunately, the only way to change this stereotype is to teach the new generation of children about people who are different from them. My parents had raised me this way and I would have to say that it is highly effective. I wish that I could change the world and make everyone make peace with each other and take time to understand each other.
ReplyDeleteRobert Miller
ReplyDeleteThe part of this documentary that I found interesting was the part where it talked about the stand-up comedians. I am a pretty big fan of stand-up comedy and I have actually seen both of the comedians that are in this documentary. I have also seen the Axis of Evil comedy tour. The name is slightly racist but it is named this way for comedic purposes. The special features four Arab comedians that poke fun at some of the common stereotypes perpetuated by our media. They also make jokes about some harsh realities, like not being able to get through an airport without being questioned. It is very funny and I would say it helps to humanize Arabic people.
I like to think I've learned through my pop culture and justice class when to spot media dehumanizing certain groups of people. I've watched all of the Bond movies. I know all of the villains have either been Russian or Middle Eastern. I have to admit watching Aladdin the other day in class was a surprise. I remember watching that movie all the time when I was little and I had the original version that had that racist song at the beginning. I guess I just never really thought of the movie like that. It was pretty eye opening though.
I would like to see more movies that show all aspects of the Arab culture.
Kelsey Henderson
ReplyDeleteFor me personally, I know that the documentary touched on many different stereotypes that I have come to believe over the years about Arabs. I was so ignorant to the fact that not ALL Arabs are what I thought them to be. Hollywood portrays them as “sub-humans” and that is what I was exposed to so that was all I knew.I feel like that may be the reason that some Arabs don't like Americans because of the way we portray them. Taking this class is not only helping me to learn the language but the culture as well.
While watching this video I was surprised at how many movies in Hollywood stereotypes Arabs without me even realizing it. Before Wednesday it has never occurred to me how much Arabs are stereotyped and I was definitely surprised about the movie Aladdin! Watching the video I did notice there was a pattern of how Middle Easterners were portrayed, they were made out to be dumb, dirty, womanizers, and terrorists; when most Arabs aren’t! The video clap that really got me what when they showed the movie Chapter Two, where the man says “ how was London?” and the brother replies, “full of Arabs.” It’s true, if they said any other race, it would be a big controversy, but why isn’t it for Middle Easterners? It unquestionably shows that there is still racism in America today and it clearly needs to be stopped. Real Bad Arabs has certainly opened my eyes on stereotypes and I will now keep my eye out for any, no matter what race.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember having any negative feelings about Arabs as a kid from watching Aladdin but I could have. I do remember not being able to tell the difference in between Arabia and India and being confused for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThe scene where Harrison Ford shoots the Arab man with the saber wasn't planned but done by the actor because he was annoyed that there was a whole physical action scene planned out and his character still had a pistol on his hip. The director decided to keep it because it was funny.
I really don't know what side to take on this. I usually catch stereotypes ans racism really well, but I don't see it as much here. Maybe it's because I'm so used to recognizing it, that it doesn't stick out. Or, it could be that I have a distorted image of the Arab world. I love the Arab world though. Especially stories of the times around the crusades, how Syrian built(Damascus Steel) swords could cut right through European swords, and how Baghdad and Timbuktu had immense libraries. I think my head also throws the junk out that isn't realistic and just sees it as a story.
Max Friel
Kelsi Leverett
ReplyDeleteArabic 1001
I can't honestly say that I never realized how negatively Hollywood or Americans in general portray Arabs. After watching this documentary I am ashamed. I didn't even realize that movies I have grown to love from my childhood are actually what helped foster the image, that I now know to be false, of the Arab world. Long beards, uncleanliness, and suppression is all I used to assign with Arab people. Watching this documentary I was horrified, I realized that people who don't know any better are influenced by images such as these. Even the one liners such as "full of Arabs" is terrible. I know that if the tables were turned that would never fly in America. I just hope that the stereotype changes with time and I hope to be one of the people that helps change it. The first step in awareness and trust me I will spread it.
Watching the documentary was not only an eye opener but it also engulfed me in anger. It was an eye opener because usually when I watch movies or television shows I notice everything that's racist against African Americans. It's become sort of an unconscious thing. And now when I watch television I notice a lot more racism towards Arabs and others. It's as if Hollywood stereotypes Arabs and African Americans in sort of the same way. This is what enrages me. Arab men are portrayed as violent, emotion-less beings, so are African American men, Arab women are portrayed as very promiscuous and sexual, usually wearing minimal amount of clothing, same for African American women. Also the documentary touched on how Arabs are portrayed as not being very intelligent and not so good with money. Once again same as Blacks. It's very sad that Hollywood sees something that they are not and are compelled to immediately dehumanize them. Hollywood is full of cowards and bullies!!
ReplyDeleteLAPRECIOUS, arab 1001
Danielle Ebanks
ReplyDeleteIt wasn’t until this past semester that I truly began to see the negative connotations against Arabs. When I was younger, I watched American films that contained Arab villains and blindly always rooted for the American hero. Being a black woman in America, I understand the difficulties of prejudices placed against my people. It is because of these that I must overachieve and excel in order to defy these stereotypes. Lately, I have been watching foreign films that show the Arab perspective on political conflicts especially the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. Movies like Miral and The Wedding Song give young Arabs a voice and show outsiders that not all Arabs have hate in their hearts. Nor are they ignorant, violent, or seductive.
I agree that words such as “Muslim” or “Arab” now have threatening meanings because of the media. As we discussed in class, Arabic words such as taliban often are associated with terrorism. Although it seems as wishful thinking, I hope that one day the world will be at peace. Just as the Jews were slaughtered by the Germans, the Jews are now mistreating Arabs. It’s a vicious cycle. Human nature is flawed in the fact that one must demean and degrade an entire people in order to make oneself feel superior.
Charles Bains
ReplyDeleteArabic 1001
I never actually looked at the negative image given to arabs in hollywood. watching this documentary I feel a little bad about my support of hollywood. i watched alot of movies in my youth that looking back at now vilify arab people. I am learning now to separate my view a little between an arab and a muslim even though I may not interact with either much in my future. It was very eye opening to see the beard sterotype and the dirty sterotype examined. I think it is very bad the way people are often portrayed in movies and this just adds to that opinion.Steotypes do change such as many with blacks in america and maybe this one will change too. I am going to the store right now to buy a huug an arab t-shirt!
Jeramie Thurston
ReplyDeleteArabic 1001
This movie was a big eye opener for me. In the past I never really put much attention to many stereotypes in movies. However, now my eyes are open. This movie shows how the media can negatively distort the viewers perspective of a certain ethnic group. When I was a child I used to watch a lot of movies depicting Arabs and many were villains. There weren't many good depictions of Arabs. There is good and bad in every culture, race, religion etc etc...but it shouldn't be the medias task to constantly bombard the viewers with negative images and portrayals of a group because many viewers are gullible and will believe anything that appears on a television screen. If the media is going to depict a movie showing an Arab as a villain then fine let it be because we can't stop them but we can help them realize that we want to see Arabs as Heroes also! Heroes exist everywhere just like in every culture, race, and religion etc....For every movie that depicts arabs as villains. there should be two movies showing them as Heroes, good doers etc....