Orientalism and Its Contemporary Influence on Western Perceptions of the East: A Critical Analytical Study
Keywords:
Orientalism, Edward Said, Western perception, media representation, postcolonial critique, decolonizationAbstract
This paper charts how Orientalism continuously shapes Western views of the "East," mapping its journey from 18th- and 19th-century European scholarship to modern media and political arenas. It underscores the contributions of Silvestre de Sacy, Ernest Renan, and Richard Francis Burton, who launched "Oriental Studies" in Europe and established key models for Western depictions of Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Next, it analyzes Edward Said's vital critique in Orientalism (1978), which unmasks the colonial power networks that formed and sustained these narratives. Shifting beyond academia, the paper reveals how Orientalist tropes still pervade film, television, news, and online platforms, reinforcing stereotypes about Muslim-majority societies (Ekman, 2015; Shaheen, 2001). It also showcases postcolonial interventions—from diaspora filmmakers to scholars who promote decolonized curricula—that challenge inherited biases and encourage more nuanced portrayals. By emphasizing both the long-standing influence of Orientalist ideas and current efforts to overhaul them, this paper calls for equitable, culturally aware approaches in academia, media, and policymaking.
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