Gal Beckerman represents the yes side while Jack Shaheen states no. The yes argument is titled The New Arab Conversation and talks about how Arabic culture and society has evolved to a better place but I think although it has good arguments it is not truthful since the media does not show these advances as the question asks even though they may have advanced. The argument for the yes side tries to persuade you that it has evolved since now it states that “they reflect a new culture of openness, dialogue and questioning” (51) the article tries to make life seem better and more open and free by his statements, and continues “whether it is a Jordanian student discussing the taboo subject of the monarchy’s viability or a Saudi woman writing about her sexual experiences or an Egyptian commenting with sadness at an Israeli bloggers description of a suicide bombing each of these unprecedented acts is on small move to opening up these societies”(51)this statement makes it seem that Arabic societies have become more accepting and free, making readers think that things have become more liberal and people are no longer afraid to speak their mind.
The last positive point that the article makes is when it states, “blogs can serve two functions they are diaries where the minute of a life are spelled out in 500 word posts and they are a personal op-ed page in which a writer comments at will about news articles and daily political developments rambles in anger or appreciation”(52) I think that this is a great thing to hear that more people are willing to express their thoughts and ideas but I find it odd that an article trying to persuade you that Arab countries are evolving for the better would say, “Arab bloggers, most of whom are anonymous for their own safety, commit small actions of bravery simply by speaking their minds.”(52) This is great to know but if your trying to say its better wouldn’t add that you can speak your mind but in secret. The article continues to tarnish everything it did to try and prove that Arabian countries have evolved for the better by saying, “there are good reasons why most of the Arab blogosphere remains anonymous. Just this past year several bloggers were jailed in Egypt”(54) again I wonder if this person is trying to convince me that Arabic countries are better for their citizens or worse because his entire argument is teetering on the line which actually helps the opposing argument more.
The no sides arguments brought by Jack Shaheen are quick and simple and to the point. I agree more with Shaheen’s argument since he provides a better argument sadly. He starts off by stating that; “stereotypes equating Islam and Arabs with violence have endured for more than a century.” (57) This is true sadly for in all the movies they are the dark mysterious figure to watch out for and the article states “today the stereotype’s power which is Arab=Muslim= Godless Enemy, inflicts more damage on innocent people since 9/11 than before”(57) I think this is true we knew they were different before 9/11 due to the way they dressed but we were not so fixated on signaling them out before as we were after 9/11. The lat two quotes that make me agree with his article was when he states “Hollywood’s fractured mirrors of popular imagination lumped together Muslims and Arabs as on Homogenous blob, however there are more than 20 million Arab Christians in the Arab world ranging from Eastern Orthodox to Roman Catholic to Protestant”(58) I find this truthful and funny, since Hollywood has had a major impact on peoples beliefs and views on other cultures since not everyone has personally interacted with other cultures so they base their thoughts about others on what they see. I also find it funny since the media in general lumps all Arabs as being Muslim and or radical ones and therefore we don’t think as them being someone we could relate too but this shows that many are not actually Muslims.
The last Quote that made me agree with his argument is when he states, “the total number of films that defile Arabs now exceeds 1,150. 950 pre-9/11 Hollywood features existed. Since then I viewed 100 + pre 9/11 films defiling Arabs that were not included in Reel Bad Arabs…Post 9/11 films I found that 22 movies (1 IN 4) that otherwise have nothing whatsoever to do with Arabs or Middle East contain gratuitous slurs and scenes that demean Arabs. (59) I think this is true we once added them in if we needed a shady character in a film like in Aladdin the Disney movie they were all from the Middle East but only Jafar the bad character was visibly darker than the rest even though all were said to be middle eastern. Now however many films ad them in and make a mockery of them or even if no visible middle eastern is present we still refer to them in a harsh light. I think this has been happening for generations and only has gotten worse sadly since 9/11 it has given Americans a reason to continue doing what they have done for years which is distrust and slander the ones that are different. I think that the Middle East may be changing for the better however I don’t think that it will be applauded or cared for much.
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