Orientalism is another key post-colonial theory - exploring the differences in representation between the western world and the east.
These representations have arguably changed significantly since the 9/11 attacks on America in September 2001. Think about the typical Muslim stereotypes in the British media post-9/11 - and the rise in Islamophobia.
Edward Said - Orientalism
Edward Said (1935-2003) was a Palestinian-American cultural theorist and academic best known for his 1978 book Orientalism.
In it, he argued that the west – particularly colonising Europe – constructed a meaning of the east (e.g. The Middle East) that suggested it was different, dangerous and uncivilised.
Said was writing in the 1970s but his work is arguably even more relevant in today’s post-9/11 world.
Orientalism: blog tasks
To complete our work on post-colonial theory, work through the following tasks:
1) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?
2) Summarise the three theorists we have looked at this week: Alvarado, Fanon and Said.
3) Finally, choose ONE clip for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick your clips from YouTube but feel free to use TV, film, music video or advertising - whatever you think is most powerful and relevant. Embed the clips in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip. Note: this means you need THREE clips in total on this blogpost.
Complete for homework: due date set by your exam class teacher.
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