Reel Bad Arabs

[marcassmith]

I came across this fascinating documentary.











This groundbreaking documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged form the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Featuring acclaimed author Dr. Jack Shaheen, the film explores a long line of degrading images of Arabs--from Bedouin bandits and submissive maidens to sinister sheikhs and gun-wielding "terrorists"--along the way offering devastating insights into the origin of these stereotypic images, their development at key points in US history, and why they matter so much today. Shaheen shows how the persistence of these images over time has served to naturalize prejudicial attitudes toward Arabs and Arab culture, in the process reinforcing a narrow view of individual Arabs and the effects of specific US domestic and internationl policies on their lives. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.

[grandpakhalif]

Why aren't you worried about the negative potrayal of Somalis who are seen as nothing but pirates and terrorists?

[marcassmith]

^
That is yet to permeate the mainstream but it is indeed a worrying development. I saw the southpark episode & Law and order but these were mainly US take on topical issues. If anything, I don't think those stereotypes will appear again, at least on the big screens. Terrorism and the Somali name have yet to make the connection in my opinion, though it is becoming a trend - especially on Al Jazeera English. I think the producers of Al-Jazeera are anti-Somali and have a policy of shifting the terrorist label on to Somalis. Not surprised, since Al Jazeera English seems to be fixated on Somalis. Yet, in these clips, Hollywood and Washington seems to have a joint policy of de-humanising an entire group of people.

[ToughGong]

It mind washes people and lets them hate Arabs. so when they declare war on Arab countries its ok because they learned on TV that Arabs are the bad guys and that’s ok
to bomb them to smithereens
Why!Because they are sitting on oil.

Anybody who has something America wants, or does something it doesn't like, is by default evil

[marcassmith]

Anybody who has something America wants, or does something it doesn't like, is by default evil

Absolutely!

[Real_Talk]

why do you care about what they say about arabs?

worry about our own people first

[Samatr]

These niggas are sitting on gold, I can't feel bad for them.

[ZinedineZidane]

Typical somali

Pathetic walleh, maxaa kaa galley carabta. They are having easy life, whilst somalis are struggling

[ciyaal_warta]

**** arabs of modern day

[marcassmith]

why do you care about what they say about arabs?

worry about our own people first

These niggas are sitting on gold, I can't feel bad for them.

**** arabs of modern day

It is exactly these type of sentiments that Hollywood producers want to instil in our minds. Arabs are not the enemy of Somalis. There are good and bad people in all groups of people and cultures. We cant make sweeping generalisations about an entire group of people.

Typical somali Pathetic walleh, maxaa kaa galley carabta. They are having easy life, whilst somalis are struggling

The struggles of Somalis is primary the fault of Somalis. Arabs are not responsible for our own suffering. As long as some sections of Somalis continue to look weak and in need of handouts, we will not improve.

[Samatr]

Other than falastiinis and jaad chewing Yemenis have you seen a skinny Arab.
I'm generalizing a bit but I know one thing khaliiji Arabs waa dad tagay, hollywood may stereotype Arabs but in every lie/stereotype there's some truth, whether you want to believe it or not is up to you dude.

[Talo alle udaa]

The somali view the arabs as somekind of a messiah that is suppose to save them from their self inflicted pain and agony.

So you see the bashing of this race as a kind of pass time activity, a group of people who could not help their kin in palestine, and who are humiliated in U.S. run prisons and recently, Jewish led prisons.

[marcassmith]

The somali view the arabs as somekind of a messiah that is suppose to save them from their self inflicted pain and agony.

So you see the bashing of this race as a kind of pass time activity, a group of people who could not help their kin in palestine, and who are humiliated in U.S. run prisons and recently, Jewish led prisons.

I have no expectation of Arabs, nor do I look for salvation from them. The real enemy of Arabs,Somalis and the World is the West. Self-hating Somalis need to see the broader picture!

[Enlightened~Sista]

These niggas are sitting on gold, I can't feel bad for them.

only a few countries have oil. Most Arabs are poor people.

[Samatr]

^Read my last post.
we should be worried about our own, most Arabs come from countries with a functioning government and on top of all that it was the West that we Somalis sought asylum from not our so called brothers to the east, that should tell you something.