As I continually read through Edward Said’s Orientalism, more ideas and questions flood into my mind. I no longer understand only what Orientalism means, but I am learning to understand its historical context such as the Orient beginning in 1978 during Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt. I’m learning about vindications of Western imperialism such as Egypt. I’m learning about the culture surrounding Orientalism and where its true roots derived from.
In his book, Said discusses how Arabs and Muslims have been categorized harshly and in a politicized manner. As I continuously read, I am understanding that the West has and continues to view themselves as rational and powerful as they portray the East as these exotic, mysterious, and foreign people who lack agency. I’m left questioning why Middle Easterns are viewed as vulnerable and weak people. I’m left wondering if this concept/idea of Orientalism is the reason why many people hate Arabs and use interchangeable terms like terrorists and bomber to associate us as people. Sadly, I’m even left wondering what the world would be like if there was peace between us all, regardless and aside from religion, culture, ethnicity, race, or color. How different would our world be? As challenging as this book’s diction is, it is crucially important to understand the fundamentals of Orientalism because it ties into the society we live in today. I truly am enjoying Edward Said’s book because it is beautifully written.
