Edward Said's "Orientalism" Introduction (Summary)
Summary
TLDRThe video script delves into the concept of 'Orientalism' as introduced by Edward Said, exploring its historical and cultural implications. It discusses how European and American perspectives have shaped the understanding of the 'Orient,' often through a lens of exoticism and power dynamics. The script critiques the academic and imaginative facets of orientalism, highlighting its role in dominating and restructuring the Orient. It also emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to understanding the East, moving beyond simplistic stereotypes and acknowledging the agency of Eastern cultures.
Takeaways
- π Orientalism, as introduced by Sayad, is a concept that provides a backdrop for studying and understanding the biases Europeans and Americans have historically held towards the East.
- π The term 'Orient' traditionally refers to regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, and has been romanticized and exoticized in Western literature and culture.
- ποΈ Orientalism encompasses a European approach to understanding and interacting with the Orient, influenced by geographical proximity, colonial past, cultural significance, and the role as a contrast to Western identity.
- π It is also an academic discipline where scholars study the Orient, but it extends beyond academia to include a broader cultural and imaginative perspective on the East.
- ποΈ The concept of the Orient as seen by Westerners is not based solely on imagination but is deeply rooted in material civilization and culture, influencing European discourse through various institutions and practices.
- ποΈ Orientalism has been a means for Western powers to dominate, restructure, and assert authority over the Orient, shaping perceptions and interactions through a complex network of interests.
- π The study of orientalism is not just about understanding the East but also about recognizing the power dynamics and the Western constructions of Eastern identities.
- π Orientalist discourse is a constructed body of theory and practice that has been materially invested in for generations, solidifying it as a system of knowledge within Western consciousness.
- π To study orientalism, one must consider the individual contributions within the broader hegemonic framework, maintaining a balance between general and specific analysis.
- π Sayad's approach to studying orientalism involves examining the interplay between cultural production, political ideologies, state power, and the realities of domination, aiming to unlearn and challenge the Western cultural dominance over the Orient.
Q & A
What is the main concept discussed in the introduction to 'Orientalism'?
-The main concept discussed is the idea of 'Orientalism' itself, which refers to a European approach to understanding and interacting with the 'Orient', encompassing its geographical proximity to Europe, colonial past, cultural significance, and its role as a contrast to the Western identity.
How did the French journalist's visit to Beirut in 1975-76 reflect the changing perception of the Orient?
-The French journalist's visit to Beirut reflected the changing perception of the Orient by contrasting the romanticized depictions of the Orient by European writers with the reality of its destruction during the Civil War, suggesting a fading of the traditional European fascination with the Orient.
What is the academic definition of orientalism as mentioned in the script?
-The academic definition of orientalism includes anyone engaged in teaching, writing about, or researching the Orient, such as anthropologists, sociologists, historians, or philologists, and their activities can be termed as orientalism.
How does the script describe the historical and material grounding of orientalism?
-The script describes orientalism as having a historical and material grounding as a corporate institution responsible for engaging with the Orient, articulating statements about it, authorizing perspectives, describing it, teaching about it, colonizing it, and governing it.
What role does orientalism play in the Western mode of dominating and asserting authority over the Orient?
-Orientalism functions as a Western mode of dominating, restructuring, and asserting authority over the Orient by drawing from a systematically structured way of managing and fabricating the Orient politically, sociologically, militarily, ideologically, scientifically, and imaginatively.
How does the script differentiate between the Orient and the Occident?
-The script differentiates the Orient and the Occident by discussing the European understanding of the Orient as a defining contrast to the Western identity, highlighting the ontological and epistemological division between the two.
What does the script suggest about the relationship between the West and the Orient in terms of power dynamics?
-The script suggests that the relationship between the West and the Orient is one of power, domination, and varying degrees of hegemony, with the West often holding a position of superiority and control over the Orient.
How does the script address the idea that the Orient is not a static fact of nature?
-The script addresses the idea that the Orient is not a static fact of nature by stating that it is not merely an objective reality but an idea with a history and tradition of thought, imagery, and vocabulary that have endured in the Western imagination.
What is the significance of the script's mention of Edward Said's personal experiences with orientalism?
-The script mentions Edward Said's personal experiences to highlight the personal and political implications of orientalism, emphasizing the impact of cultural dominance on individuals and the importance of examining the traces of such dominance.
How does the script discuss the role of cultural hegemony in shaping societal norms and values?
-The script discusses cultural hegemony as operating within civil society through the dissemination of ideas and institutions for fostering consent rather than direct domination, with orientalism being deeply intertwined with the idea of Europe and reinforcing notions of European superiority.
What methodological tools does the script mention for studying authority in the context of orientalism?
-The script mentions strategic location and strategic formation as methodological tools for studying authority in the context of orientalism, which involve analyzing the author's position within a text concerning the Oriental material and the relationship between texts and how they collectively acquire mass density and referential power within culture.
Outlines
π Understanding Orientalism and Its Impact
The paragraph introduces the concept of Orientalism as a backdrop for studying the West's perception and interaction with the East. It recounts a French journalist's visit to Beirut during the Civil War, highlighting the contrast between the ruined city and the romanticized Oriental depictions of the past. The discussion then broadens to the American view of the Orient, focusing more on the Far East, and contrasts it with the European history of engagement with the Orient. Orientalism is described as a European approach encompassing geographical, colonial, and cultural aspects, shaping Western identity in opposition to the East. The concept is rooted in material civilization and culture, influencing European discourse through various institutions and practices. The paragraph concludes with an explanation of Orientalism as an academic field and a broader style of thought based on an East-West division, with a historical interplay between the academic and imaginative facets.
ποΈ The Historical and Cultural Constructs of Orientalism
This paragraph delves into the essence of Orientalism, emphasizing its origins from Britain and France's unique proximity and engagement with the Orient. It discusses the shift in dominance to America post-World War II and the substantial body of text that has formed as a result. The Orient is presented not as a static fact but as a human construct with its own history and tradition of thought and imagery. The paragraph also addresses the power dynamics between the West and the Orient, highlighting the Western nations' dominance and the process of 'orientalization' as a form of control and hegemony. It critiques the idea of Orientalism as purely an imaginative creation, arguing for a recognition of its robust coherence and material investment over generations. The influence of cultural hegemony in shaping societal norms and values is also discussed, with a call for a nuanced approach to understanding Orientalism's complexities and contradictions.
π The Western Dominance and Orientalist Discourse
The paragraph explores the idea of Europe and how it contrasts with non-European others, using Orientalism to reinforce notions of European superiority. It discusses the strategic use of positional superiority in Western interactions with the Orient and the spectrum of cultural productions that Orientalism encompasses. The paragraph emphasizes the need to question the essence of Orientalism and whether it lies in overarching ideologies or in the diverse works of individual writers. It also discusses the risks of distortion when focusing too generally or too locally on Orientalism. The guidance from three key aspects of contemporary reality is introduced to address methodological and practical difficulties in studying Orientalism, including recognizing individuality within a hegemonic framework, maintaining a balance between general and specific analysis, and acknowledging Orientalism's complexities and contradictions.
π The Interplay of Culture, Power, and Representation in Orientalism
This paragraph examines the relationship between cultural production, political ideologies, state power, and the realities of domination within Orientalism. It discusses the dynamic exchange between individual authors and broader political concerns shaped by dominant empires. The paragraph highlights the importance of situating oneself vis-Γ -vis the Orient and the exteriority premise of Orientalism, where the Orient is portrayed for Western audiences by outside observers. The focus is on how cultural discourse circulates representations rather than truth, and how language is a system of representation. The paragraph also touches on the historical development of Orientalism, from early scientific knowledge to the expansion of representation techniques, and the influence of individual writers on the discourse. It concludes with a personal note from the author, reflecting on the impact of cultural dominance and the motivation to contribute to new approaches that transcend the East-West dichotomy.
ποΈ The Legacy and Future of Orientalism
The final paragraph discusses the legacy of Orientalism as a system of sight and power, and how it is deeply personal and political. It references Gramsci's notion of 'knowing thyself' as a product of historical processes and the importance of compiling an inventory of these influences. The author's personal investment in studying Orientalism is tied to his upbringing in British colonies and his early awareness of being labeled as an 'oriental.' The paragraph also addresses the complex circumstances enabling the study of Orientalism, including the turbulent relationship between East and West, the establishment of area studies programs, and the role of media in reinforcing stereotypes. The author aims to contribute to a better understanding of cultural dominance and to stimulate new approaches to the Orient, ultimately hoping to unlearn the modes perpetuated by Western culture.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Orientalism
π‘Exoticism
π‘Colonialism
π‘Cultural Hegemony
π‘Discourse
π‘Representation
π‘Othering
π‘Power Dynamics
π‘Enlightenment
π‘Cultural Production
π‘Authenticity
Highlights
Orientalism is a concept that provides a backdrop for the study and articulates the West's implicit biases during the Civil War in 1975-76.
A French journalist's visit to Beirut in 1975-76 revealed a fading romanticized European depiction of the Orient.
Americans tend to associate the Orient more with the Far East, such as China and Japan, differing from the European perspective.
Orientalism represents a European approach to understanding and interacting with the Orient, influenced by geographical proximity, colonial past, and cultural significance.
The concept of orientalism is deeply rooted in material civilization and culture, not solely based on imagination.
Orientalism permeates European discourse through institutions, scholarship, imagery, and colonial practice, shaping perceptions and interactions with the Orient.
Orientalism is an academic term for anyone engaged in teaching, writing, or researching the Orient.
The broader meaning of orientalism encompasses a style of thought founded on an ontological and epistemological division between the Orient and the Occident.
Orientalism has been adopted by diverse figures, including poets, novelists, philosophers, and political theorists, to create theories and narratives about the Orient.
Orientalism can be examined as a corporate institution responsible for engaging with, describing, teaching, colonizing, and governing the Orient.
Orientalism functions as a western mode of dominating, restructuring, and asserting authority over the Orient.
During the Enlightenment, orientalism held authoritative sway, influencing thought and action regarding the Orient.
The Orient is not a static fact of nature but a human construct with a history and tradition of thought, imagery, and vocabulary in the western imagination.
Orientalism is a constructed body of theory and practice that has been materially invested in for many generations, solidifying it as a system of knowledge.
Cultural hegemony operates within civil society through the dissemination of ideas and institutions, shaping societal norms and values.
Orientalism is deeply intertwined with the idea of Europe, reinforcing notions of European superiority over Oriental cultures.
Orientalism relies on a flexible positional superiority, maintaining the West's relative upper hand in interactions with the Orient.
The study of orientalism must navigate the relationship between knowledge and politics within the specific context of its subject matter and historical circumstances.
Orientalism is a dynamic exchange between individual authors and the broader political concerns shaped by dominant empires.
The history of orientalism exhibits both internal consistency and intricate relationships with the dominant culture surrounding it.
Orientalism is fundamentally premised upon exteriority, portraying the Orient for Western audiences and positioning the orientalist as an outside observer.
Orientalism relies on Western institutions, traditions, and conventions to make the Orient visible and comprehensible within discourse.
The study of orientalism seeks to unravel the intricate interplay between cultural production, political ideologies, state power, and the realities of domination.
Orientalism is not merely an academic concern but a deeply personal and political one, influenced by the historical process and individual experiences.
Transcripts
in his introduction to the now classic
work
orientalism Sayad explains the concept
of orientalism provides a backdrop for
the study and articulates the au's
implicit biases during the Civil War in
1975 76 when a French Journal journalist
visited Beirut he felt deeply saddened
by the sight of its once Lively downtown
area in ruins the journalist compared
the destruction to the romanticized
depictions of the Orient by writers such
as shobon and nerval for European held a
significant attraction steeped in
Notions of romance exoticism and
historical resonance however as the
journalist observed this representation
of the Orient was fading away its time
seemingly over Americans usually
associate the Orient more associate the
Orient more with the Far East such as
China and Japan while they may not share
the same depth of tradition in
orientalism as the French and British
other European nations also have a long
history of engaging with the Orient in
various ways orientalism terms it
represents a European approach to
understanding and interacting with the
Orient which encompasses its
geographical proximity to Europe its
Colonial past its cultural significance
and its role as a defining contrast to
the Western
identity this European understanding of
the Orient is not solely based on
imagination it is deeply rooted in
material civilization and culture
orientalism permeates European discourse
through institutions scholarship imagery
and Colonial practice shaping
perceptions and interactions with the
yeast one of the most commonly
acknowledged definitions of orientalism
is an academic one still employed in
numerous educational
institutions anyone engaged in teaching
writing about or researching The Orient
be the anthrop sociologists historians
or philologists whether in specific or
general aspects can be considered an
orientalist and their act activities can
be termed
orientalism Beyond its academic
connotations orientalism also
encompasses a broader meaning it meaning
it represents a style of thought founded
on an ontological and epistemological
division between the Orient and the
ocient countless writers including poets
novelists philosophers political
theorists economists and Imperial
administrators have adopted Ed
fundamental East West distinction as a
foundation for intricate theories
narratives epics novels social
descriptions and political analysis
concerning the Orient its inhabitants
Customs psyche fate and more the
expansive notion of orientalism
encompasses figures as diverse as es
skillas Victor Hugo Dante and KL Marx
the interplay between the academic and
IM imaginative facets of orientalism has
been ongoing since the late 18th century
with the significant often regulated
exchange between the two Realms this
leads to the third meaning of
orientalism which is more historically
and materially grounded than the
previous two from the late 18th century
onwards orientalism can be examined as a
corporate institution responsible for
engaging with the Orient articulating
statements about it authorizing
perspectives describing it teaching
about it colonizing it governing it in
essence orientalism functions as a
western mode of dominating restructuring
and asserting authority over the Orient
drawing from Michel fuko's concept of
discourse as outlined in in his works
the archaeology of knowledge and
discipline and punish orientalism can be
understood as a discourse a
systematically structured way of
managing and even fabricating the Orient
politically sociologically militarily
ideologically scientifically and
imaginatively during the Enlightenment
era orientalism held such authoritative
sway that anyone who wrote thought or
acted regarding the Orient had to
content with its limitations on thought
and action it does not unilaterally
dictate what can be said about the
Orient but rather constitutes a complex
network of interests that inevitably
influences any discussion involving the
Orient the essence of orientalism arises
from a unique proximity and engagement
between Britain France and the Orient
which initially until early 19th century
primarily meant India and the lands
mentioned in the Bible from the 19th
century until the conclusion of World
War II France and Britain held sway over
the Orient and orientalism however since
World War II America has assumed
dominance in the orient and approaches
it with a perspective reminiscent of
that of France and Britain this close
interaction though often demonstrating
the greater power of the western Nations
has generated a substantial body of text
that Sayad refers to as orientalist
Orient is not a static fact of nature it
is not merely an objective reality just
as the oxident is not
wo's insightful observation that humans
shape their own history applies equally
to geography both as geographical and
cultural entities loc locales like the
Orient and the accident are human
constructs therefore much like the West
the Orient is an idea with a history and
a tradition of thought imagery and
vocabulary that have endured it with
reality and significance in the western
imagination the these two geographical
entities mutually inform and reflect
each other however several important
qualifications must be made firstly it
would be ER aneous to conclude that the
Orient is purely an idea or a creation
devoid of corresponding reality when D
in his novel Transit remarked that the
yeast was a he meant that it held a
profound Fascination for in westerners
however this should not be misconstrued
as suggesting that the East existed
solely as a Pursuit for westerners
cultures and Nations exist in the East
with histories and Customs that possess
a tangible reality far supressing any
Western descriptions while this study of
orientalism may not directly contribute
to understanding these Eastern realities
it implicitly acknowledges their
existence instead the focus lies
primarily on the internal consistency of
orientalist idea
about the Orient of their correspondence
with a supposed real Orient secondly
ideas cultures and histories cannot be
comprehensively understood or studied
without considering the Dynamics of
power inner and within them to suggest
that the Orient was merely created or
orientalized as a product of the
imagination would be
disingenous the relationship between the
accident and the Orient is one of power
domination and varying degrees of
hegemony as aptly captured by km
paniker's seminal work Asia and Western
dominance the Orient was orientalized
not solely because it was it was
perceived to possess certain Oriental
characteristics by Europeans but also
because it could be subjected to such
orientalization this process of
domination is exemplified by Faber's
encounter with an Egyptian cartisan
wherein he not only physically Poss her
but also spoke for her representing her
emotions presence and history this leads
us to a third important qualification it
would be mistaken to view orientalism
merely as a structure built upon
falsehoods or myths which would crumble
if the truth were exposed while Sayad
personally believes that orientalism
serves as a manifestation of European
Atlantic power over the Orient rather
than as a truthful discourse about it we
we must acknowledge and attempt to
comprehend the robust coherence of
orientalist discourse its close
association with socioeconomic and
political institutions as well as its
enduring durability must be recognized
orientalism is not merely a fanciful
European fantasy about the Orient it is
a constructed body of theory and
practice that has been materially
invested in for many generations this
sustained investment has solidified
Orient ISM as a system of knowledge
through which the Orient is filtered
into Western Consciousness the continued
investment in orientalism has enabled
its proliferation throughout Western
culture grami's useful analytical
distinction between civil and political
Society highlights the role of cultural
hegemony in shaping societal norms and
values cultural Hy operates within Civil
Society through the dissemination of
ideas and institutions for fostering
consent rather than direct domination
orientalism is deeply intertwined with
the idea of Europe which delates a
collective European identity in contrast
to non-european others European ideas
about the Orient reinforce Notions of
European superiority over Oriental
cultures often overriding alternative
perspectives orientalism strategically
relies on a flexible positional
superiority maintaining the Western is
relative upper hand in their
interactions with the oriented this
dominance was particularly pronounced
During the period of European ascendency
from the late Renaissance onwards
Scholars missionaries Traders and
soldiers were able to engage with the
Orient with minimal resistance from
Eastern societies under the guise of
knowledge of the Orient a complex War
framework emerged suitable for academic
study museum display Colonial
Administration and theoretical
exploration in various disciplines
however this imaginative examination of
the Orient was predominantly shaped by
Western Consciousness driven by desires
repressions invest Investments and
projections orientalism therefore
encompasses a spectrum of cultural
Productions ranging from scholarly
Endeavors to more sensationalist and
ideologically driven narratives it is
essential to continually question
whether the essence of orientalism Li in
overarching ideological FS permeating a
vast body of material often imbued with
doctrines of European
superiority various forms of racism
imperialism and rigid conceptions of the
Oriental as an idealized and unchanging
abstraction or in the diverse array of
Works produced by countless individual
writers each offering unique
perspectives on the Orient in reality
these two alternatives are complimentary
perspectives on the same subject matter
whether examining Pioneers like William
Jones or celebrated artists like
nerville or flobber both approaches
necessitate engagement with individual
others others shaping orientalist
discourse employing both General and
specific perspectives allows for a more
comprehensive understanding of
orientalism there is inherent risk of
distortion if one adopts an overly
general or overly localized Focus system
to avoid Distortion and inaccuracies
particularly those arising from
excessively dogmatic generality or
overly positivistic localized analysis
Sayad seeks guidance from three key
aspects of contemporary reality which
offer potential solutions to
methodological and peral difficulties
firstly recognizing individuality within
the broader context of a hegemonic
framework involves acknowledging the
agency and intelligence of individual
ual others who actively contribute to
and shape orientalist discourse they are
not merely passive recipients of a
dominant ideology but engage with it in
a nuanced and complex ways secondly
maintaining a balance between General
and specific analysis helps to avoid the
pitfalls or either overly broad
generalizations or excessively narrow
focus by integrating both perspectives
it becomes possible to capture the
intricate play between overarching
themes and individual contributions
within orientalism finally understanding
orientalism requires a nuanced approach
that acknowledges its complexities and
contradictions this involves recognizing
the multiplicity of voices within
orientalist discourse while the broader
sociopolitical context that shapes and
informs it after explaining three
aspects of colonialism from the
perspective of contemporary reality
Sayad briefly explains how they
influences his particular approach to
research and writing what sayth argues
in the argues in the study of
orientalism is that all academic
knowledge about regions like India and
Egypt is inherently influenced by
political reality European or American
Scholars studying the orian cannot
disclaim their own circumstances they
encountered the orian first as Europeans
or Americans and only as individuals
this awareness of belonging to a
powerful entity with interest in the
orient shapes their perspectives
orientalism is not simply a passive
reflection of political subject matter
nor is it a collection of texts about
the Orient instant it is a distribution
of Geo geopolitical awareness across
various disciplines and texts it is an
elaboration of geographical distinctions
the manifestation of various interests
and dis course shaped by exchanges with
political intellectual cultural and
moral Powers orientalism is deeply
intertwined with modern politic actual
culture reflecting more about our world
rather than about the Orient itself
orientalism exists not in an archival
vacuum but within distinct and
intellectually discernable lines just as
Scholars recognize the intertextuality
of text they must also acknowledge the
influence of political institutional and
ideological constraints on individual
auths orientalism forces us to confront
the reality that political imperialism
governs entire fields of study making
its avoidance intellectually and
historically impossible Sayad approaches
the study of orientalism as a dynamic
exchange between individual authors and
the broader political concerns shaped by
the dominant Empires British French and
American that govern governed the
intellectual and imaginative landscape
in which these writings emerged what
captivates Sayad as a scholar is not the
crude political truth that accidentals
are superior to orientals but rather the
nuanced evidence found in the detailed
work of figures like lane flobot or
renan who operated within the expansive
framework established by such beliefs
say's inquiry into orientalism seeks to
unravel the intricate interplay between
cultural production production political
ideologies state power and the realities
of Domination by addressing these
concerns a humanistic study can be
responsibly engaged with the
intersection of politics and culture
however it is important to note that
there is no regid rule governing the
relationship between knowledge and polit
each investigation must navigate this
connection within the specific context
of its subject matter and historical
circumstances attempting an encyclopedic
narrative history of orientalism seemed
impractical for several reasons sayth
focuses on the British French and
American Experience of the Orient as a
cohesive unit considering the historical
and intellectual background that shaped
The Experience Britain and France fr's
dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean
from the late 17th century onwards
shaped their positions in Oriental
studies there has been significant
scholarship on the background of
biblical study
contributing to the emergence of modern
orientalism the German Orient was
predominantly scholarly or classical
classical unlike the tangible
experiences of Egypt or Syria for
writers like shobon Lane and lamtin
while German orientalism refined
techniques applicable to texts and ideas
from the Orient it did not share the
same direct engagement with the region
as its angl French counter nonetheless
German Orient ISM like its Anglo French
and American counterparts held
intellectual authority over the Orient
within Western culture there is nothing
inherently mysterious or natural about
Authority rather it is constructed
disseminated and wielded strategically
Authority is in is instrumental and
persuasive establishing Cannons of taste
and value while blurring their lines
between certain ideas and traditions it
legitimizes as true it is virtually
indistinguishable from the perceptions
judgments and traditions it shapes and
transmits above all authority indeed
must be subjected to analysis say's
principal methodological tools for
studying Authority or strategic location
and strategic formation strategic
location refers to the author's position
within a text concerning the Oriental
material they discuss while strategic
formation is the relationship between
text and how they collectively acquire
mass density and referential power
within culture Sayad employs the notion
of strategy to address the iner and
challenge every writer on the orian
phases how to engage with it without
being overwhelmed by its complexity each
writer each writer must situate
themselves Visa the Orient which is
reflected in their narrative voice
structural choices and thematic elements
moreover every work on the Orient draws
upon previous knowledge and affiliations
with other works audiences and
institutions forming analyzable
formations that cont orientalism is
fundamentally premised upon exteriority
wherein the orientalist portrays the
Orient for Western audiences positioning
themselves as outside observers this
exteriority culminates in representation
where the Orient is transformed into
familiar symbols for Western consumption
Western consumption it it is essential
to recognize that cultural discourse
circulates representations rather than
truth language itself is highly
organized system of representation and
written statements about the Orient
derive their efficacy not from the
Orient itself but from Western
techniques of representation orientalism
relies on Western institutions
traditions and conventions to make the
Orient visible and comprehensible within
discourse thus orientalism is
fundamentally a product of the West
indebted to Western codes of
understanding rather than any inherent
characteristics of the oriented self the
distinction before the late 18th century
and those of modern orientalism lies in
the vast expansion of representation in
the latter period while Europe had
gained scientific knowledge of the orian
through figures like William Jones as
well as Napoleon's expedition to Egypt
what truly mattered was what truly
mattered was the broaden scope and
enhanced refinement of techniques for
engaging with the Orient Europeans
played a pivotal role in uncovering the
ancient languages of the Orient which
led to the emergence of indoeuropean
philology and related scientific
interests artists and writers such as
William Beckford G and Victor Hugo
reshaped the Orient through their works
of art making its colors lights and
people visible through their imagery and
motives the real Orient rarely dictated
a writer's Vision but rather served an
as inspiration for their creative
expression orientalism was moralism was
more responsive to the culture that
produced it than to its supposed object
which was also shaped by the West thus
the history of orientalism exhibits both
internal consistency and intricate
relationships with the dominant culture
surrounding it while orientalism
functions as a system of sight and
others individual writers leave a
determining imprint on the discourse the
Nexus of knowledge and power that
constructs and marginalizes the Oriental
is not merely an academic concern but a
deeply personal and political one in his
pris notebooks grami famously asserts
that the starting point the starting
point of critical elaboration is a
consciousness of what one really is and
is knowing thyself as a product of the
historical process to date which has
deposited in you an INF of tracers
without leaving an inventory however the
available English translation
inexplicably omits the concluding
statement in gr's Italian text which
emphasizes the imperative of compiling
such an inventory much of the personal
investment in Sayad study of orientalism
stems from his own upbringing as a child
in two British colonies despite
receiving a western education his early
awareness of being labeled as an
oriental has persisted motivating in him
to examine the traces of cultural
dominance left upon him and others like
him the circumstances enabling such
study are complex since the 1950s
particularly in the United States the
relationship between East and West has
been marked by extraordinary turbulence
the concept of the East has often been
associated with danger and threat
leading to the establishment of area
studies programs in universities as part
of national policy moreover the
proliferation of media especially in the
postmodern era has reinforced
stereotypes of the Orient intensifying
the 19th century demonology of the
mysterious Orient this is particularly
evident in the perception of the near
East which has become highly politicized
due to historical prejudices the Arab
Israeli conflict and the absence of a
nuanced cultural position on Arabs and
Islam by highlighting the paral
highlighting the parallels between
orientalism and anti-Semitism Sayad
hopes to contribute a better
understanding of how cultural dominance
operates and to stimulate new approaches
to the Orient that transcend outdated
dichotomies between East and West say's
goal is to contribute to the process of
unlearning mode perpetuated by Western
culture
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