A lack of mutual recognition

According to Edward Said, the idea of Orientalism inevitably lives on through the works of writers and theorists. The idea of Orientalism began as a way to distinguish East and West, and it was used as a basis for novels, poetry, historical accounts, etc. The concept of Orientalism was a systematic process by which the English were able to form the idea of the Orient “politically, sociologically, militarily, ideologically, scientifically, imaginitively.” Said claims that the idea was able to emerge due to a closeness between France and Britain and the Orient. The close relationship consistently resulted in a demonstration of the greater power of the “Occident” (France, Britain, or America), which resulted in a large body of texts referred to as Orientalist.

The relationship between the “Occident” and the “Orient” depends on positional superiority. The Orientalist foundations were created so systematically that they restrict free thought or action of the Orient. Essentially, individuals in the East are perpetually viewed as socially, and even biologically inferior due to the spread of Orientalist ideas. Harmful ideologies such as this restrict free thought on both sides of the binary. The oppressed are faced with mental and social restrictions while the privileged group is unable to mutually recognized the Easterners. Orientalist ideologies prevail today, and this is evident in American culture. The East is still viewed as exotic and foreign, which prevents understanding of Eastern cultures or people. Due to a prejudiced basis of understanding, American films, books, etc. often misrepresent Eastern culture and don’t allow us to see the individuals as individuals. Once again, the Orientalist ideologies continue to restrict freedom of identity while perpetuating the Western position of power.