Orientalism - Western Ignorance

Orientalism attempted to answer the question held by individuals in the Middle East - How do we come to understand people that are ethnically, culturally, and socially different than us? Orientalism's physical lens enables an individual from the West to look through and see people from the East indulge in their stereotypes. It also creates an image outside of history that last forever; It creates an ideal other. It's not a description of the context in which Easterners live, but an argument as to why they live in that specific way. Orientalism is the idea that Western people are very quick to make assumptions, judgments, and accusations. The privileged, dominant voice of Western culture reinforces the stereotypes associated with Eastern culture. Therefore, the perpetual use of stereotypes about Eastern culture is unjustified when Westerners are not able to fully comprehend and identify with their way of life.

By default, the lies, and stereotypes that we perpetuate embed themselves into the public mind. As a result, these lies reciprocate themselves into truths because of its embedment into the public mind. As Said described, Westerners get a "book" which they use to compare the different people and cultures they perceive to their own. When our views or beliefs don't align, we then choose to create harmful and hateful stereotypes. However, the solution is simple. If we live looking through the lens that Said described, one that enables a "dynamic perspective" and continues with a "multi-story mindset," then, perhaps, we can abate our own alienating speech.