Muslims and the Media
Read
the following articles:
“Images of Islam in the US news media and their educational
implications”
Watch the following clips:
Thought and Reflection:
We will begin by considering news media coverage. Let’s
start with some observations about how Islam has been portrayed in the news
media, particularly in the post 9/11 era. Start by taking a look at the
following clip, which argues that the media have contributed to negative
opinions about Islam:
This next clip provides the introduction to a panel
discussion conducted by the Los Angeles Press Club in the fall of 2008:
This next clip looks at the portrayals of the Islamic
community in British media:
This final clip (from CBS “Sunday Morning”) provides an
interesting spin on the stereotypes created by the media and how they are
possibly being reversed:
These clips provide an interesting summary of portrayals,
images and opinions. What is your initial reaction to these clips?
A Theoretical Understanding
Please read “Images of Islam in the US news media and their
educational implications.” This article considers the implications of how Arabs
are represented in the media—this would include both news and entertainment
media. While we have not gone heavy on theory (or at least effects theory in
this class), this article grounds its concerns in theory.
The authors draw from social learning theory and address two
interesting points. I will start from the general and go to the specific.
First, we all have what are called “normative beliefs.” These are the assumptions
we make about what is right and wrong, what are proper social rules, how the
world works, and what is normal and typical in our society and culture. In
other words, normative beliefs reflect how we think the world is and should be.
We learn those beliefs by direct observation and first-hand participation—from
our personal experiences. But what happens when we don’t have first hand
experience? We must learn from other sources and, as you should have learned in
other classes, the media become our primary sources, or socializing agents, in
the absence of other experience. In the article, the author argues that
children, with no direct experience with Arabic people, will rely on what they
see and hear in the media for their sources of information (particularly if
those ideas go unchallenged or are rewarded in some way). As the author argues,
for many children, their first experience with the Arab world might be the
Disney film “Aladdin.” I would also add the images of 9/11 and terrorism. So
what might their normative beliefs be about the Arab world?
The author is concerned that media coverage of terrorism
(certainly a major news story), at the expense of covering and addressing other
aspect of Islamic life, skews our “normative beliefs.” Here’s what he says:
I argue in the case of the
proliferation of images and information about bin Laden that real-life
terrorism contributes substantially to the commonality of associating Muslims with
terrorism in the US mass media, but that it is, nonetheless, a highly
imbalanced representation of the group, focusing on the very narrowest margin
of Muslim people and experiences, owing to the news’ focus on the exceptional
over the ordinary. I then show how a similar theme emerges in political
cartoons, particularly since the Dutch cartoon protests, where imagery portrays
Muslims as exceptionally violent and antagonistic, rather than as ordinary or
peaceful. These various representations largely present roughly the same
negative stereotypical perspective on Muslims, I argue here, to the detriment
of members of this religious group in society, lacking an education aiming to
actively counteract potential miseducative effects of the media.
How would
you respond to this claim? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
Here’s an attempt by the media to present a positive example
of things that are being done to bridge cultural gaps:
Portrayals in Movies and on TV
Let’s shift to entertainment television, which seems to
parallel how Muslims are portrayed in the news: mostly as villains. Here’s an
interesting clip on this subject from CNN:
Read the article from the Middle East Forum (it is interesting
to get this organization’s viewpoint as well):
This organization, which is intended to represent the
interests of the Arab/Muslim communities, identifies its three primary
complaints against Hollywood. Here they are (copied and pasted from the
article):
Islamist violence is distorted. Salam
Al-Marayati, the director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles, complains
that moviemakers fail to put their subjects in context:
Image-makers, whether Hollywood executives or
news editors, influence public opinion as much [as], if not more, than
government officials. Among the important issues distorted by the image-makers
is international terrorism. The State Department's 1998 report on global
terrorism indicates once again that terrorist acts in Colombia far outnumbered
similar incidents in the Middle East.4
In other words, Al-Marayati is saying that
Muslims and Arabs are unfairly singled out.
Islamist terrorism is invented. The critics allege that terrorism committed by Muslims and Arabs is a media invention without basis in fact. According to Jack G. Shaheen, a professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University and a leading writer on this subject,
Islamist terrorism is invented. The critics allege that terrorism committed by Muslims and Arabs is a media invention without basis in fact. According to Jack G. Shaheen, a professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University and a leading writer on this subject,
Research verifies that lurid and insidious depictions of Arabs as
alien, violent strangers, intent upon battling non-believers throughout the
world, are staple fare. Such erroneous characterizations more accurately reflect
the bias of Western reporters and image-makers than they do the realities of
Muslim people in the modern world.5
Similarly, CAIR asserted, in relation to The
Siege, that it depicts "a series of terrorist bombings by
‘Muslims,'"6 the clear implication being that it is false
to assert that Muslims are responsible for terrorism.
Muslims and Arabs never appear in sympathetic roles. Conversely, Shaheen argues that Muslims and Arabs rarely appear as sympathetic, mainstream characters but, on the contrary, turn up almost exclusively as fanatical, homicidal terrorists.
Muslims and Arabs never appear in sympathetic roles. Conversely, Shaheen argues that Muslims and Arabs rarely appear as sympathetic, mainstream characters but, on the contrary, turn up almost exclusively as fanatical, homicidal terrorists.
Regrettably, the approximately five to eight
million Muslims who live in the United States are confronted with a barrage of
stereotypes which unfairly show them as a global menace, producers of
biological weapons, zealots who issue fatwas, or burn Uncle Sam in
effigy.7
The article defends its argument by describing a number of
recent films in which Arabs/Muslims are cast in the role of villains (please be
sure to read the entire article). First, what do you think of the complaints
listed here? Are they valid? Why or why not? Second, is it fair to accuse
Hollywood of having such a sinister set of motives?
Sometimes the media try to get it right. Let’s return to a
show we’ve talked about before, “The West Wing.” In this episode, which was
broadcast shortly after 9/11, the producers use the Josh Lyman character to
perhaps initiate a public discussion about terrorism, extremism and the Arab
community. Take a look and reflect on how it might change or reinforce your
thinking (particularly how the public might have responded to it at the time).
Here’s the intro clip:
Here’s a scene from the episode:
Is this an example of TV at its best? How do you think
Arab-American or Islamic audiences would have responded to this episode?
Is Humor the Answer?
Let’s take
a slightly different view. Can we address our misunderstandings through comedy?
We have the Canadian program, “Little Mosque on the Prairie,” which takes a
comedic look at Canadian-Arabic life. Or can this be accomplished through
reality TV? I’ve included a clip from the reality show on TLC, “All-American Muslim.”
Take a look at these clips. Are these better representations of Islam? What are
their strengths and weaknesses? Do these promote understanding? Can they change
normative beliefs and improve relations?
Today’s Blog
Please read “Islam,” the related articles, and view the
clips. Summarize the most common representations of Islam in both news and
entertainment media. Reflect on the questions asked in the readings and do your
best at answering them and providing your thoughts and observations. You might
want to discuss how Islam might be “othered” or how post-colonial theory might
inform our understanding of why Islam is portrayed in certain ways (as well as
the consequences).
I lived for several years in Connecticut, and many friends of mine had family or friends that were directly affected by the attacks on 9/11. Even so, we had a few Muslims in my school and I never observed any of them being treated poorly or discriminated against (though perhaps they were or their parents were and I was blind to it). I think this goes to show that Americans can overcome these fears and notions they have, but unfortunately, it's really hard. Not just 9/11, but with everything else that has been happening lately, a huge fear has been fostered against people from the middle east, and has ben very generic, most people haven't bothered to understand who is Muslim and who isn't, who is extremist and who isn't. I appreciated the comedians because they were able to close a little bit of the gap by showing that they were treated essentially as terrorists would be, but they were clearly safe, normal American citizens. However, I do think there is a point where humor can go too far, like a series of YouTube videos I have seen popping up of people dressed in stereotypical "terrorist" garb, leaving black backpacks in public places and running. This is a terrible prank because it forces people to feel for an instant a hatred and fear against a general population that they likely understand nothing of. I think the media could be a great tool in bridging the gap between this ignorance and informing the public of who and how Arab Americans are, as well as explaining about the Muslim people. Instead, the media chooses Arabs to play terrorist roles, and denies them the character development and emotional attachment allowed other characters. I think the media isn't doing its job in promoting unity and informed participants of society in this aspect, it has only been promoting stereotypes and encouraging fear or distaste.
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DeleteThe idea that “Hollywood is not an educator” from the Middle East Forum reading would be accurate if members of society were conscious consumers of media. The problem is that most people, and especially children are not. The movie Aladdin is a good example of portraying Arabs in a stereotypical light. And if children are only exposed to that and portrayals of terrorism, then that might be all they know. I both agree and disagree that movies do not create sterotypes. I agree that they do often take already politically controversial subjects and sensationalize them because that is what their audience is already interested in those topics. But I also think they create some stereotypes just because the producer of the film may have heard of one instance of terrorism or another political “trend” that is causing alarm in the world and decides to feature that issue in a fictionally — or not entirely factual — way. The media is often to blame for that, because they take the small percentage of Muslims who are terrorists and highlight that. However, we rarely hear a positive story about a Muslim who did something amazing and good for society. This could leave an ignorant consumer of the media assuming that all Muslims are terrorists, which is not true at all. Then if this idea infiltrates into movies, it becomes even more impactful because movies can be so emotionally engaging and often feel realistic.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I didn’t know much about Islam at all until I taught and baptized one of my favorite men I’ve ever met on my mission. As I taught him, I learned that the beliefs he was raised with were so extremely similar to my own that he felt like my brother right away. He was so kind and more moral than most white men I knew in my life anyway. Then when I lived in Jerusalem, Jordan and Egypt, I was even more impressed by the moral values and kindness of the majority of Muslims who I met. These experiences are rarely portrayed in the media.
And this is a little unrelated, but another thought I had while doing this assignment :)
The quote in the Baltimore Sun by the comedian Ahmed Ahmed reminded me of similar feelings I’ve had as a Mormon. He said the reason he does comedy is to say “OK, here’s our 15 minute to really tell the people we’re talking to who we are and what we’re about.” Whenever I achieve at something in a non-religious sphere, I want every non-religious person to know what I’ve done and know that I’m a Mormon. When I see famous Mormons succeed, I automatically want to give them a fist bump because I’m stoked they are showing the rest of the world who Mormons really are. I think this is the same way idea Ahmed is trying to explain.
"We need to poke fun at our stereotypes. If we don't, someone else will." One of the actors from Little Mosque on the Prairie said that in one of the videos and it resonated with me because of our discussions about Mormonism. We do the same thing. Mormons took the opportunity to make fun of what makes us unique or "weird" before others had the chance to. It makes others less prone to create a negative image of that person/group. So I think it makes a lot of sense why the creators of this show wanted it to be humorous and point out the obvious stereotypes of Islam.
ReplyDeleteThe negative stereotypes of Islam, in my opinion, stem largely from the fear of 9/11. That day terrified US citizens and still terrifies us today. It was such a huge part of all of our lives that almost all of us can remember what we were doing when we first heard what happened. It was so awful, and the terrorists involved were Muslim extremists. So here we are today, and a lot of people are scared of Muslims/Arabs. But I really liked the West Wing episode. Islamic Extremists is to Islam as KKK is to Christianity. It puts the views of Arabs into perspective. Not all Arabs are terrorists, not even close. Just like the small amount of Christians that were part of the KKK.
I have a really close friend who is Arab. His dad is from the Middle East and they have family that still lives in the Gaza Strip. He told me that he feels looked down upon by a lot of people just because he is an Arab Muslim. He laughs when he successfully makes it through airport security without being patted down by TSA. However, he is extremely good at poking fun of his own stereotypes. He makes all of his friends laugh about them and, I think, because we decide to celebrate our similarities and not focus on differences, he's made it really hard for all of his friends to have negative stereotypes towards Arabs.
My experience with Islamic people have been a lot of what was mentioned above when talking about social learning theory. I have only ever really seen negative coverage about them being associated with terrorism. Even when you talked about Aladdin being an example of what kids are given as of an Arabian association, that was still not something that would come to my mind when asked to name something that has to do with that culture. Because of my limited experiences that the media gives me, social learning theory would say that I only associate Islamic people with terrorism. However, I am educated enough to understand that there are stereotypes of people and that I cannot judge all Muslims as being terrorist based on a handful of those who actually are terrorists.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, this does happen though. The idea of judging a group of people based on stereotypes is not a new concept. Mormons and blacks have also been seen as threats to America in past and even current times in the US. I feel that it is so important for people to stop being ignorant and recognize that though all stereotypes stem from truth, those stereotypes are not true for all of the race or culture.
Often stereotypes arrive from very emotional events or experiences, that convince us that all people who share similar backgrounds or appearances, are the same. On a global scale, I think we have gone through some terrorizing moments and thus associate all arabs with this terror. Unfortunately, thousands are made victims of racism and false judgements. This is the negative power of assumption, that takes away the voice of the "other", and their ability to really convince us that they are normal, life-loving humans like us. That even they are very opposed to such acts of terrorism and hate that really comes from a much fewer group of radicals. It's a shame judgement is firstly based on looks, rather than actions. But do to human nature of fear and judgement, etc. we tend to create associations and stigmas in order to cope with cognitive dissonance, and make sense of difficult events such as 9/11.
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