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Big_Bird
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
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 Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:34 pm Post subject: Crude and exaggerated stereotypes are fuelling Islamophobia |
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I think there is a fair amount of truth in this article. From time to time I've been watching films with arab friends, and up crops an arab or arabs depicted in an unflattering way. It nevers seems to be the converse either.
I remember buying some cheap dvds in a Seoul underground station, and some of them were biblical stories. I watched a few of them with some arab friends. They were very interested in the films, enjoying them very much because these stories and biblical characters are also featured in the Koran. In at least 2 of these films however, the bad guys were depicted speaking in Arabic (using very foul and crude Arabic language). My friends were quite stunned.
Why couldn't the film makers have just used English for the bad guys? The Caananites (the bad guys in one film) wouldn't have been speaking Arabic then anyway...so there was nothing authentic about it. From getting much enjoyment from watching a familiar tale, my friends were suddenly excluded by this stupid gesture. I felt so sorry for inviting them over.
Crude and exaggerated stereotypes are fuelling Islamophobia, says study
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Popular films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to children's cartoons are depicting "crude and exaggerated" stereotypes of Muslims and perpetuating Islamophobia, according to a study published today.
A report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission argues that films as diverse as The Siege, a portrayal of a terrorist attack on New York starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis, the Disney film Aladdin and the British comedy East is East have helped demonise Muslims as violent, dangerous and threatening, and reinforce prejudices.
While The Siege is attacked for inter-cutting Islamic ritual and terrorist violence, potentially linking the two in the minds of audiences, Aladdin faces criticism for depicting Arabs as "ruthless caricatures" with "exaggerated and ridiculous accents".
The study, titled The British media and Muslim representation: the ideology of demonisation, argues that Hollywood has a crucial role in influencing how the public views Muslims. |
| Quote: |
| The fact that films such as The Siege pre-dated the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers challenged any argument that negative portrayals of Muslims as potential suicide bombers are a "natural" result of atrocities such as the Madrid and London bombings, Ms Merali added. |
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stevemcgarrett
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:50 am Post subject: |
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Big Bird:
Glad you're citing an unbiased source like the Islamic Human Rights Commission.
So you have lots of Arab friends? Somehow I'm not surprised.
Ya think maybe the blatant fact that the overwhelming majority of terrorist acts in the last two decades were committed by Muslim fanatics has something to do with this perception?  |
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seoul_nhl
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: Re: Crude and exaggerated stereotypes are fuelling Islamopho |
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| Big_Bird wrote: |
I think there is a fair amount of truth in this article. From time to time I've been watching films with arab friends, and up crops an arab or arabs depicted in an unflattering way. It nevers seems to be the converse either.
I remember buying some cheap dvds in a Seoul underground station, and some of them were biblical stories. I watched a few of them with some arab friends. They were very interested in the films, enjoying them very much because these stories and biblical characters are also featured in the Koran. In at least 2 of these films however, the bad guys were depicted speaking in Arabic (using very foul and crude Arabic language). My friends were quite stunned.
Why couldn't the film makers have just used English for the bad guys? The Caananites (the bad guys in one film) wouldn't have been speaking Arabic then anyway...so there was nothing authentic about it. From getting much enjoyment from watching a familiar tale, my friends were suddenly excluded by this stupid gesture. I felt so sorry for inviting them over.
Crude and exaggerated stereotypes are fuelling Islamophobia, says study
| Quote: |
Popular films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to children's cartoons are depicting "crude and exaggerated" stereotypes of Muslims and perpetuating Islamophobia, according to a study published today.
A report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission argues that films as diverse as The Siege, a portrayal of a terrorist attack on New York starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis, the Disney film Aladdin and the British comedy East is East have helped demonise Muslims as violent, dangerous and threatening, and reinforce prejudices.
While The Siege is attacked for inter-cutting Islamic ritual and terrorist violence, potentially linking the two in the minds of audiences, Aladdin faces criticism for depicting Arabs as "ruthless caricatures" with "exaggerated and ridiculous accents".
The study, titled The British media and Muslim representation: the ideology of demonisation, argues that Hollywood has a crucial role in influencing how the public views Muslims. |
| Quote: |
| The fact that films such as The Siege pre-dated the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers challenged any argument that negative portrayals of Muslims as potential suicide bombers are a "natural" result of atrocities such as the Madrid and London bombings, Ms Merali added. |
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I'm an Arab but thank god not a muslim one at that! Arabs are one of the most racist people in the world. They smile at you with one side of there face and snicker at you with contempt with the other. My family even use to say shit about Jews all the time...I never realized it until I was older what a bunch of F##KS they are and that includes my dad!
POOR muslims getting offending by everyone else.Yet they say shit about you and everyone else behind your back. Read an Arabic newspaper and you'll never have sympathy again for them. IF THEY WANT SYMPATHY THEN THEY THEMSELVES, MUSLIMS AS A WHOLE NEED TO CHANGE THIS CYCLE OF BREEDING HATE! They play on the fact that the west is governed by political correctness and they use it against us. Go to the middle east and you won't see any equality......see what they day about you......if this offends people too bad I don't believe in political correctness!
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cbclark4
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:18 am Post subject: |
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The problem is the Moderate Islamic voices do not speak out.
If there are Moderate voices they need to speak up and be heard.
Why do they not speak? We hear rumors of their existence.
Why do they not speak? Is it fear of the fanatics?
I have heard that one Muslim should not speak against another Muslim.
Is the fanatic truly Muslim then?
If this is true, then I would think that the moderate could still speak and proclaim the fanatics as heretics, but we still do not see this. If truly the moderate believes the Koran a book of peace, then why not declare openly the wrongfulness of the fanatics who pervert the book of peace.
On the other hand if the Koran gives testimony to war and violence and terror, as the fanatics have acted upon it, then would it not be a political manifest with no sacred basis?
When President Bush or his administration speaks we hear from his opposition within the US Government. When we hear from the fanatics, their is no Islamic opposition.
The conclusion there is no Islamic opposition to the the Fanatic view.
It's not on TV it's not in the Papers, it's not even in al Jazeera.
Where is the Islamic opposition to the fanatics.
cbc |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Where is the Islamic opposition to the fanatics. |
Please take off your blinders. You are like a horse moving straight ahead and thus thinking the world is the narrow horizon ahead.
Answer to your question. Everywhere. They range from mothers and daughters to radical tyrants. Strange how the biggest opponent of Islamic fanaticism was Saddam yet he is vilified and strange how the growth of Islamic extremism is in proportion to American misadventure.
This statement should be showcased in that thread about how the media has perpetuated stereotyped of violent Islamophiles........you just want whatever is in the cereal box they are selling.
Lots of "other press" and Al Jazeera does indeed have many voices.
DD |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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| cbclark4 wrote: |
The problem is the Moderate Islamic voices do not speak out.
If there are Moderate voices they need to speak up and be heard.
Why do they not speak? We hear rumors of their existence.
Why do they not speak? Is it fear of the fanatics?
I have heard that one Muslim should not speak against another Muslim.
Is the fanatic truly Muslim then?
If this is true, then I would think that the moderate could still speak and proclaim the fanatics as heretics, but we still do not see this. If truly the moderate believes the Koran a book of peace, then why not declare openly the wrongfulness of the fanatics who pervert the book of peace.
On the other hand if the Koran gives testimony to war and violence and terror, as the fanatics have acted upon it, then would it not be a political manifest with no sacred basis?
When President Bush or his administration speaks we hear from his opposition within the US Government. When we hear from the fanatics, their is no Islamic opposition.
The conclusion there is no Islamic opposition to the the Fanatic view.
It's not on TV it's not in the Papers, it's not even in al Jazeera.
Where is the Islamic opposition to the fanatics.
cbc |
1. have you ever watched al-jazeera in your life? I'm guessing you haven't, which is understandable since you don't speak Arabic.
I suggest:
Book on Al-Jazeera
There is a documentary on AJ as well:
Control Room
People on this forum have posted links to videos on youtube of muslims criticizing other muslims on AJ.
2. Have you ever read any english-language newspapers centered in the middle east?
They include:
The Arab News (which has op-eds that bash saudi society from time to time)
The Daily Star in Beirut
The Gulf Times (from the UAE)
The Khaleej Times (also from the UAE)
Yemen Times (eh, not exactly professional, but I've had letters published in that one, so I have to mention it  )
CBC, open your eyes and read/watch a little more than mainstream western media before making such broad generalizations. I'm not one of those loons that thinks western media is biased, crappy, etc, but it isn't exactly covering the Islamic world very closely. And it makes sense: that part of the world is literally more than an ocean away. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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cbclark4
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Masan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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I read al Jazeera (english) daily, see Horn of Africa thread for further detail.
Like I said the Moderate voice is not getting out.
Blame the media if you like, but we don't hear enough.
Even speaking to Muslims the impression is that they will not speak badly of Bin Laden or Al Sadre or any other extremist fanatic.
Maybe it is the culture or the tradition, whatever it is, it leaves me and probably others to believe there is support for the extreme "kill all the infidels" venom that is spewed by the extremists.
cbc |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| that's why i said watch, not read. Their english language website is generally just the news and has little to no op-eds. Their news channel has panel discussions and the like. |
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Pligganease
Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: The deep south...
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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Islamophobia? What a joke.
Am I phobic of the man selling me lamb in Itaewon? Nope. Am I scared of the man riding beside me on the subway? Nope. Am I intimidated by the woman making my kebab? Doubt it.
Am I afraid of the man burning effigies? A little. A phobia is an irrational fear. Being afraid of a guy that wants to kill you is hardly irrational. Most people aren't Islamophobic. They are terroristphobic. |
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wannago
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| bucheon bum wrote: |
They include:
The Arab News (which has op-eds that bash saudi society from time to time)
CBC, open your eyes and read/watch a little more than mainstream western media before making such broad generalizations. I'm not one of those loons that thinks western media is biased, crappy, etc, but it isn't exactly covering the Islamic world very closely. And it makes sense: that part of the world is literally more than an ocean away. |
I read the Arab News daily for several years. First, I wouldn't say that the op-eds "bash" saudi society. Sometimes they point out problems, but I wouldn't construe that as bashing. If you put the "from time to time" bashing of saudi society against the utter venom that is spewed about western (usually the U.S.) countries, its a mere drop in the barrel. Granted, some of that spewage is from westerners (or what is printed as a western name) but a big chunk also comes from arabs.
The moderate voices are out there, but if they are the supposed majority of arab muslims, then they sure aren't very loud. I've said it before and I'll say it once again: Most arabs like what the extremists do in the form of terrorism on western countries. While the "moderates" would never blow themselves up or cut someone's head off, they do applaud the efforts of bringing the infidels down. When pressed by a westerner, they will say its not good or terrible or whatever, but they will never speak out in a public way against the people that do this. Some may feel they have reason to feel this way, but the fact remains the moderates do NOT speak out against terrorism for whatever reasons.
Islamophobia? I would call it Arabophobia, but you bet. These people are dangerous in their extreme form. |
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stevemcgarrett
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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bucheon bum:
Guess wannago told you off big time. 
Why don't you go and teach in the enlightened land of Arabia since you seem so enamored with them?
ddeubel:
| Quote: |
| Please take off your blinders. |
He will if you do first, ddimwit. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| ask your friends not to blow anything up, Big Bird. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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| stevemcgarrett wrote: |
bucheon bum:
Guess wannago told you off big time.
Why don't you go and teach in the enlightened land of Arabia since you seem so enamored with them?
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umm no. I will conceed that "bash" was a bit of an exageration.
I also agree with the following:
| Quote: |
| If you put the "from time to time" bashing of saudi society against the utter venom that is spewed about western (usually the U.S.) countries, its a mere drop in the barrel. |
I was merely disagreeing with cbc's comment that there are no moderate voices out there.
I respect Wannago's opinion about the Middle East because he has spent extensive time there and he doesn't make blanket statements.
Just wondering Wannago, were you in Saudi when it was hit with those terrorist attacks a few years ago?
And why don't I teach in the Middle East?
1. I don't want to teach anyone anywhere (I haven't been in ESL since 2003)
2. I don't have the qualifications to teach in the Middle East (well at least to make a decent salary)
Who said I'm enamored with the Arab world?? Because I disagree with someone's statements about Arabs, I am now "enamored" with them? |
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wannago
Joined: 16 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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| bucheon bum wrote: |
Just wondering Wannago, were you in Saudi when it was hit with those terrorist attacks a few years ago? |
I was. I was in Jeddah then and for the attack on the U.S. Consulate. Those were some scary times as I'm sure you know.
For the record, you and I both know the complexities of the arabs and their culture. They are not easy people to understand. When I lived there, they actually came up with some semi-convincing arguments about why things are playing out the way they are. But, there were also lots of crackpot notions out there as well. I really think they genuinely believe their culture and very way of life are under assault which, if I were them, I would probably feel the same. What they don't get is that they are bringing it on themselves by tolerating these extremists who use the muslim faith as a defense in killing people. And they do tolerate it even though the Saudi government likes to make a spectacle now and again about taking down some wanted terrorists. |
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