Analyzing Orientalism

According to Edward Said, Orientalism is a style of thought based upon an ontological and epistemological distinction made between "the Orient" and (most of the time) "the Occident." He also claimed a large mass of writers, among whom are poets, novelists, philosophers, political theorists, economists, and imperial administrators, have accepted the basic distinction between the East and West as the starting point for elaborate theories, epics, novels, social descriptions, and political accounts concerning the Orient, its people, customs, "mind," destiny, and so on. Additionally, Said stated anyone who teaches, writes about, or researches the Orient--and this applies whether the person is an anthropologist, sociologist, historian, or philologist--either in its specific or its general aspects, is an Orientalist, and what he or she does is Orientalism. Orientalism is Westerners dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient (Asia/Middle East). According to Said, Orientalism provided a rationalization for European colonialism based on a self-serving history in which "the West" constructed "the East" as inferior and outsiders. They claimed these non Western Cultured people needed help from them/Western intervention. Edward Said is very critical of Orientalism and the Westerner's dominance. He doesn't believe it is right in a situation where one country needs assistance. He believes there are consequences to this colonialism and Orientalism.

I personally feel Edward Said's argument is valid. Unfortunately, I feel we live in a world where there is Orientalism. I don't feel like our American culture has a strong relationship with the Eastern most parts of the world like the Middle East and Asia. The world isn't perfect, but instead of dividing it, we should ositively intervene and help each other. We have a lot of issues ourselves, and I feel we should fix those before trying to make the Orient arts of the world inferior to us. Because of the actions we take and how we perceive them, I feel America and Europe both have Orientalist mindsets. The stereotypes present in society clearly paint this Orientalist picture. Someone is always trying to dominate in this world or make others below them.

Why?