The Girl with No Shadow

[Agema]

I think it's fair to say that whenever a culture interprets another the representation of it will be somewhat skewed. Naturally there may be a tendency to demean other cultures because each culture would like to imagine it's the best, and the protrayal will be much more negative when antagonism also exists between the cultures. There's an even an assumption people within cultures know their own: but ask people what makes their culture and you'll find a wide range of answers many of which may be contradictory.

Said was making a complaint about Western behaviour when he termed Orientalism, but a more impartial view I think should accept that the reverse also exists, and indeed Occidentalism has also been coined. Hence I'd argue "Orientalism" is a specific form of a much wider truth and in that sense it's not special, nor possibly even a useful term.

[chrispedersen]

Originally Posted by Agema

Said was making a complaint about Western behaviour when he termed Orientalism, but a more impartial view I think should accept that the reverse also exists, and indeed Occidentalism has also been coined. Hence I'd argue "Orientalism" is a specific form of a much wider truth and in that sense it's not special, nor possibly even a useful term.

Yep, pretty much I'm saying the same thing. I'd take it a step farther however: because it was specifically developed against the west it was an ideological weapon against the west - and this is how it was used from africa to iran.

Even today this idea reverberates - not too long ago I often discussed things with an Omani: we differed on the question of Palestine. Unable to factually defeat a position she retreated to - you can't understand - you're not Omani.

The truth I think of the matter rests in Said's final admission that he had no interest in an accurate portrayal of the east or islam. If we remove that fig leaf, then the real purpose of Said's work is criticism of the West.

Its why I have a hard time reconciling fervent post colonialism in occidental countries with patriotism. If you are fervently critical why not go somewhere where post colonialism and patriotism can coincide.