First, Some Definitions Muslim Who is a Muslim? Adherent of Islam Second only to Christianity in numbers of followers ≈Christianity 2 .2 billion ≈Islam 1.6 billion ≈Hinduism 900 million Islamic practice varies, just like other world-religions But with commonly shared basic beliefs Country with the most Muslims? South and SE Asia ≈62% of all Muslims Largest Muslim country = Indonesia (≈13% of worlds Muslims) Only ≈20% of all Muslims live in Middle East Arab Who is an Arab? Cultural and linguistic identity Arabs comprise only 20% of the followers of Islam Arab Americans ≈3.5million (Arab American Institute) US population ≈313.9 million Religious affiliation in the US 63% Christian of some denomination 24% Muslim 13% other Middle Eastern East of what? Middle Eastern American Estimates up to 4% of the US population Largest group: Lebanese On the census first time Arab, Middle East ancestry measured was in 2000 Traditionally Arab nations include: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Some Arabs are Israeli citizens Not Arab nations: Iran (predominately Persian, most speak Farsi) Afghanistan A brief, historical Background Crusades (AD 1096-1291) In Western European world, Arabs depicted as: exotic hindering progress of civilization standing against Christianity This helped justify actions to colonize Arab world Arab history and diversity of cultures dismissed as valueless This shaped Western ideas about Arab and Middle Eastern cultures, reflected in art, literature (and eventually media) All cultures grouped together as one ‘other’ Inferior to Western values and traditions Commonly characterized as: Dirty Cruel and violent Mistreat women Hate Christians Film(1900-Present) Earliest Images in film Men dishonest and easily provoked toward violence sleazy and rich oil sheikhs –or- poor street beggars Women exotic subservient 1960s-1970s Threatening Arab image intensified vicious, untrustworthy, undermine US Linked with Arab-Israeli conflict and animosity toward increasing wealth of oil-producing Arab nations 1980s-today Terrorist brutal, crazed Islamic extremist hate America/Americans EG: The Delta Force (1985); Back to the Future (1985) Iron Eagle(1986); Rules of Engagement (2000); Two Degrees (2001); Team America: World Police (2004) Exotic Menace Mythical land of rich sultans and poor peddlers Thick accents Deceitful and barbaric EG: Aladdin (1992) On the other hand, some attempts to present multidimensional characters & thoughtful storylines EG: Babel (2006); Sorry Haters (2006); Rendition (2007) Mostly background roles; small number of leading roles nearly always tied to race/ethnicity issues Television Pre-1970s Make Room for Daddy (aka: The Danny Thomas Show), 1953–1965 Danny Thomas That Girl (1966 to 1971) Marlo Thomas 1970s-1990s Wealthy sheikh Crazed villain Anti-Western killer And: M*A*S*H (1972-1983) Jamie Farr Wings (1990-1997) Tony Shalhoub Post 9/11 40% of TV dramas during 2001-2002 season referenced the 9/11 attacks Terrorism, prominent theme Criminal Minds (2005-present) 24 (2001-2010) Homeland (2011-present) And, Monk (2002-2009) Tony Shalhoub Also consider…. Bones (2005-present) The West Wing (1999-2006) Lost (2004-2010) Overarching Character Types(Shaheen 2001)* “Villains” & Terrorists (“The Palestinian”) Antagonists of all varieties, including: Terrorists who hate the US intensified after 9/11 Bandits trying to rape or kill Bumbling buffoons “Sheikhs” Rich, conniving Arabs Smarmy, ostentatious “Maiden” Demonized, victimized, subservient Eroticized “The Egyptian” Mummies and the undead On the
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