The results of subjects responses to the above questions were quite disturbing, and were indicative of the importance of having a more accurate portrayal of cultural/racial groups in the media . To the question of 'Can you recall and name a movie that involved an Arab American or Arab theme?', the responses were 65% yes and 35% no. Of those subjects who responded with a yes, the movies named were: The Siege, Exodus, Not Without My Daughter, Aladdin, Lawrence of Arabia, Thief of Baghdad, and Cleopatra. To the question 'Can you name an individual who is Arab American?' 42% of the respondents named actor Omar Sharif, 6% named surgeon Michael DeBakey, and 3% named Casey Kasem.
Such responses are a serious and painful reminder that the image of Arabs is in dire need of an adjustment in the movies, and indeed in all forms of media. Of the seven movies named, none contain positive and accurate images of who the Arabs are. None of them are free of the negative and age old stereotypes that have plagued the Arab American community since time immemorial. Not Without My Daughter does not even concern Arabs at all. It is an offensive film which targets Iranians this time. Not Arabs. Again and again, the stereotypes get recycled in films. It's as if filmakers all posses the same set of instructions on how to portray Arabs in their films; a single sheet of instructions which contain the words 'desert', 'terrorist', 'rich sheik', and 'religous fanatic' to name a few. Why else would these images show up so often in films? I know it does not have to be this way. Hollywood is full of intelligent and creative individuals. Why, oh why, won't someone venture out of this abyss of ignorance and mindless regurgitation of stereotypes in the media? Why won't someone seek to enlighten audiences, on this relatively unknown culture, with some accuracy and fairness? It is not asking too much.
Go To Page: 1 2
