The classic Disney film Aladdin was for many young Americans, including myself, one of their first times seeing a representation of middle eastern culture. Although this movie came out 25 years ago, it still has an influence in our culture and in how we view the middle east. As Edward Said explained in his theory of Orientalism, this can be extremely problematic.
Movies and other forms of media like Aladdin portray the "East" as a backwards and exotic place based on centuries old stereotypes. These stereotypes are reinforced in people every time they watch a movie like Aladdin and even if you think you are impervious to being influenced by an animated children's movie musical, remember that it is a children's movie. By showing a movie like this to impressionable children, we are putting these stereotypes in their heads for a long time.
Slowly, we are finally beginning to move past these stereotypes and the Orientalist mindset described by Said. However, we still have a long way to go as seen in the fact that every time a movie portrays middle eastern or Asian culture with accuracy, it's big news.
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