Edward Said: On Orientalism

http://www.mediaed.org

Edward Said's book Orientalism has been profoundly influential in a diverse range of disciplines since its publication in 1978. In this engaging and lavishly illustrated interview he talks about the context within which the book was conceived, its main themes, and how its original thesis relates to the contemporary understanding of "the Orient" as represented in the mass media.

"That's the power of the discourse of Orientalism. If you're thinking about people and Islam, and about that part of the world, those are the words you constantly have to use. To think past it, to go beyond it, not to use it, is virtually impossible, because there is no knowledge that isn't codified in this way about that part of the world." -Edward Said

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• MEF
• Media
• Education
• Literacy
• Critical
• Mass
• Industry
• Educational
• Sut
• Jhally
• Edward
• Said
• Orient
• Islam
• Asian
• Studies

[NocturnalStreetArt]

RIP Edward Said

mrpeach86 - you are immensely ignorant..

There are many issues in the middle east, however there are MANY decent and humane ppl ther also.

"do we see these inhumanities in the west?"

No- we make sure the atrocities we commit are in OTHER countries:

-US backing the Israeli occupation of Palestine for 60yrs

-US training the Taliban to fight the Russians

-US donating $6bn to Al Qaeda from 1989-92

-US destabilising democracy in Iran in the 1950s in order to secure oil for the UK

[itsacorporatething]

I was just thinking about all this. I'm frequently disturbed of my automatic associations when in comes to the middle east.

[damaged2]

@SpamAnn I agree with you. I don't doubt peace occurring; I doubt peace with these present conditions.

[SpamAnn]

@damaged2 : Equality is a reality, the only problem is : we are not living it. Dont let your mind tell you that it is not possible. Be your own direction, your own master, and not what has been programmed into you. It is because of this system that there is so much misunderstanding and seperation, so much conflict and arguing. That is what you get with a system driven by profit, that uses people to make profit, and then creates abusers because of it. The fruits of the tree, are rotten.

[damaged2]

@SpamAnn A new system? Perhaps a system that was discarded a long time ago instead~~ Ex. In terms of finances, the gold standard was the best.

I don't think in this day and age "equality" can be achieved. Not when so many ppl don't understand each other, the societies they live in, human nature, etc... They're pre-occupied with themselves or their groups or smthing (ex. feminism, maleism, etc) that they've lost the bigger picture.

I'm not arguing with you, sry if it seems so. Peace.

[SpamAnn]

very insightfull video! we need a new system in this world. Join the equality solution!

[ATangDynasty]

This provided great insight for me in my Anthropology lecture!

[MOARepicLULZ]

@mrpeach86 that is simply the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard in my entire life. how many drug addicts are there in the west? i bet its a comparable number. here's a question: where did that "fact" come from anyway? also, i think you should remember that there are cultural differences between every society. every one has their good and bad. there are plenty of inhumanities in the west. if you cant see them you must be utterly blind.

[GreatGrumbledook]

I'm afraid not, Said! Unfortunately, most of the sane people think that you're an utter prat! Ask them who they'd prefer to meet: Edward Said or the man, who cleans out the public toilets in Aberdeen, and they'd go for Wee Jock "Poo-Pong" McPlop every time.

[bapyou]

What is the date of this production? Why don't you people ever give a complete description of the videos that you post? Without such information, this video is completely devoid of historical context.

Was this made in 1999? 2003? 1992? 1984? When? No one knows unless you tell us!

You people need to be slapped.

[lucyinclonmel]

nice to know valid image and portrayalsof the islamics and arab world im sick of the general portrayal on news which is downgradding and fearing

[aewester]

me too.. thank you edward said