Edward Said defines orientalism simply as the idea expressed by us (the U.S., Europe...) about our superiority over the orient (the east, India...). He describes this idea in a few ways, including our view of the east as mystic and strange in comparison to our world. Said contributes some of blame for this outlook to the west's imperialistic actions toward the east. This is not most certainly not the first time this has happened.
This seems to be a recurring outcome in history. An imperialistic nation come across a less developed group and soon after, new ideas get embedded in the minds of the entire nation. Is patriotism and believing one's nation to be superior a bad thing? not always. Is believing other nations to be less human or somehow less deserving a bad thing? absolutely. It bugs me that ideas such as orientalism are able to persist for so long, affecting nations full of people.
I totally agree with you about the surprising longevity of orientalism in Western culture. Especially since many countries in Asia and the Middle East are rising (even above the West), and yet they are still viewed as "the other" and inferior.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your points on imperialistic cultures. When I read Said I immediately thought of historical views of Africa, where we viewed its inhabitants as savage and strange, which is similar to the views of Asians in orientalism.
ReplyDeleteI also recognize the repetition of imperialistic cultures self-assumed superiority. As it is often said, in many different ways, history repeats itself. I have also noticed that it is common for the newer societies are the ones which assume their superiority. They view the other societies, which value their traditions and have an established culture, as uncivilized and inferior to their shiny new way of doing things.
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