Eth 125 - Characteristics of Orientalism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Characteristics of Orientalism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

ETH/125

Muslim and Arab Americans are different groups in the United Stated. Some Muslim Americans are of Arab ancestry, but Muslim and Arab Americans are distinct of each other (Schaefer, 2006). Some of the differences between Muslims and Arab Americans are that they have different religious beliefs, they are from different geographical and ancestral backgrounds, and they arrived in the United States at different times (Schaefer, 2006). The Muslim Americans are people, who believe in the Islam religion, and Arab Americans are an ethnic group, some are Jewish, and some are Christians, but most Arab Americans are not Muslims (Schaefer, 2006).

Several changes have occurred in the past several years. After September 11, 2001, there was an increasing acceptance to view Arab and Muslim Americans as a dangerous people and to require them to carry special identification cards (Schaefer, 2006). Additionally, there was close surveillance of Muslim Americans charity organizations, unjust detainment and deportation of Muslim and Arab Americans, and the number of visas granted decreased for people coming from Muslim countries (Schaefer, 2006). However, there is good news, a growing political alliance had challenged many of these practices, and it has had an impact. In addition, immigrant rights advocates have begun forming and are demanding an end to the registration program, profiling, and other violations of Arab and Muslim Americans civil liberties (Schaefer, 2006).

Orientalism is an outdated way of looking at Muslim and Arab Americans and does not take into account the changes that have taken place over the years, and has led to the joining of Arab and Muslim societies as one with clearly unchanging and non-modern images (Schaefer, 2006). The concept of orientalism does not look at the different cultures, race, or prejudices within these groups, and creates negative stereotypes, which leads to violence and hate crimes (Schaefer, 2006).

To promote tolerance, understanding, and acceptance of Arab and Muslim citizens, people need to reduce prejudices by clearly representing Arab and Muslim Americans interests, promoting understanding, and bring attention to the discrimination and expressions of prejudices against Arab and Muslim Americans in public life and the mass media (Schaefer, 2006). To change the experience of those who are the victims of prejudice and discrimination it requires a contribution to the climate of tolerance and goodwill. Therefore, people should seek to change the behavior of those whose' words or actions promote and reflect racial and ethnic prejudices (Strategies for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Prejudice, n.d.).

References

Schaefer,