Critical Reading Journal: 5/9

“Arabs, Islam, and the Dogmas of the West” by Edward Said

The main theme of this article of Orientalism. Under the concept of Orientalism,

it is believed that the Western civilization is more mature than the Orient

civilization. I don’t believe this is true in our present day because in education

and the race of technology, Asian countries are much more advanced in these

than Western countries. Also, I don’t believe the Western civilization in the past

was necessarily more mature than the Orient civilization because the Western

civilization favored the immigration of intelligent individuals from the Orient

civilization that had great knowledge in science and technology and these

immigrants aided in the advancement of the Western civilization. Another

principle about the Orient that is mentioned is the belief that the Orient is

something to be afraid of or something that must be managed but I don’t think

this principle applies to our current society where the Western civilization is

also seen as a threat and seen as out of control by other countries. Personally

I perceive Orientalism as an unjustified excuse for Western civilizations to

impose themselves on Asian countries and gives them reason to believe they

are always good and right.

“Indo-Chic: Late Capitalist Orientalism and Imperial Culture” by Sunaina Maira

A concept mentioned at the beginning of the article is the fascination and fear of

the oriental in Western societies. The fascination includes belly dancing, henna,

and the exotic Asian women (generally called “dragon lady”). The fear includes

the stereotype of the yellow peril which is the belief that Asians are overtaking

the West in jobs, etc. I believe this concept of fear and fascination continues in

our present society of the dominant groups looking down upon Asians being

dominant in the workforce whether high wage or low wage jobs and the current

fascination perception called “yellow fever” where men or women of the

dominant groups continue to sexualize Asian women. Many traditional practice

from Asian countries have been Americanized which in turn becomes a trendy

subculture in American society. An example of this is mentioned in the article that

explains how henna which is traditionally used for special occasions and

celebrations in the Indian culture but in America is perceived as a popular everyday

fashion style. I have personally observed the Americanization of Chinese cuisine by

sweetening and adding more spice to accustom to American preference. Nowadays,

cultural appropriation is considered to be disrespectful and inappropriate. But the

Westernization of Asian practices is not deemed disrespectful which seems

contradictive with the disapproval of cultural appropriation.