Middle Eastern Culture: Misapprehensions in the Media
1)
In disaster survival, preparation is vital. One must be equipped to handle all variables in a situation in order to navigate it effectively and safely. This is doubly true when encountering a disaster related to the undead. As relevant data shows, the undead pose a serious threat to human survival, specifically in urban settings, where higher populations make it easier to contract the affliction, thus create larger numbers of undead to avoid contact with (“Zombie Survival Tactics”). Preparing an effective survival kit is, perhaps, the most vital element to traversing the undead apocalypse alive, and in good health. To this end, one must understand the nature of the undead, the elements that must be included in a survival pack, and the locations at which one should secrete those packs.
First, before engaging in preparation, one must examine the structure and function of the undead. As it has been shown, zombies are a product of a disease which infects the bloodstream and causes the individual, once deceased, to rise again (“Zombie Survival Tactics”)It is highly communicable, and passes from individual to individual via bodily fluids (“Zombie Survival Tactics”)This makes exposure highest in areas related to treatment of the wounded, specifically hospitals and triage units. The undead are driven by the desire to both feed and propagate their species, both of which occur in the same act (CITATION). By biting an uninfected human, the zombie infects that human, and satisfies their urge to feed. The locomotion of the undead is generally slow and plodding, though there are a few reported cases of so-called “quick” zombies, able to dart short distances (“Zombie Survival Tactics”)In general, this enables individuals to evade them by simply outrunning the creatures, but it is wise to be prepared to encounter “quick” zombies, as failure to do so could result in death.
The most vital step in surviving the zombie holocaust is preparing one’s survival packs and safe locations (“Zombie Preparedness”). Though there will inevitably be civil unrest, preparing for that is beyond the scope of this evaluation. First, one must secure weaponry capable of dispatching the undead. It is advised that one obtains a short-range weapon, such as a machete or axe, as well as a long-range weapon, such as a shotgun or rifle. These weapons enable the escapee to remove threats both remotely and immediately. Second, one should obtain clothing suitable to the climate and situation that one lives in. This includes either cold-protective equipment, or heat-resistant equipment, adequate shoes and socks, and a protective face mask to avoid inhaling particulate. Next, one must create a reliable supply of medications and first aid supplies. This can be done in advance, though it is recommended that the individual also map locations of pharmacies in advance, to secure stock of antibiotics and the like. Stocks of canned and preserved food should be laid in, in case of food contamination (“Zombie Preparedness”)Finally, and in some ways most vitally, one should provide one’s self with accurate maps of the area, including marking all valuable hiding spaces, centers of population, ammunition and weapons caches, and so on.
The next preparatory step is secreting one’s supplies. There should be at least one pack kept in one’s home, easily accessible as one exits one’s home (“Zombie Preparedness”)This should contain at least one long and short range weapon, a supply of medication and first aid supplies, a full change of clothing, and a basic stock of provisions. The rest of one’s supplies should be divided in several caches around one’s home location. It is advised that these caches are placed decently far from centers of population, as due to the highly contagious nature of the virus, those locations will be much more difficult to access (“Zombie Survival Tactics”).That said, however, it is wise to include at least one urban cache, in case of imprisonment in a town-center setting (“Zombie Survival Tactics”)All caches should be carefully marked on maps in the home base pack. One is encouraged to effectively hide all supply dumps, to avoid looting.
In general, one can survive the zombie apocalypse simply by effective forward planning. One must know how to locate supplies, but one must also prepare by storing one’s own gear. The zombie apocalypse is, at this point, an eventuality, and prior planning is the best strategy to progress through it to life after it has occurred. It is highly recommended that individuals share meeting locations with their significant others and friends, such that if a party is separated, they can meet again to fight alongside one another. That said, however, even the most devout forward planning cannot account for all incidentals, so the wise individual will have several backup plans in place, in case the situation becomes unstable. Overall, however, the best way to survive is to prepare, and to make sure one keeps ones preparations current.
Sources Cited
“Zombie Preparedness.” Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
“Zombie Survival Tactics.” Reddit. N.d Web. 30 Oct. 2014
2)
Middle Eastern culture is highly misunderstood and misrepresented by the media. In general, Middle Eastern individuals are classed in only a few roles. Men are generally given negative roles, typically villains. Women are frequently seen as repressed and put upon. They are not demonstrated as full, complete individuals, but rather stereotypes and caricatures. This is especially true on television shows, though it must be noted that that is slowly changing. Middle Eastern culture is varied and diverse, yet the modern media portrays it as monolithic and narrow.
In general, the misconception of Middle Eastern culture comes about by assuming there is one, unified, culture. It is seen as Muslim-dominated, patriarchical, and generally repressive of women. However, there are a variety of Middle Eastern countries with different ideals. An individual from the United Arab Emirates will think differently than a Persian individual, for example. Yet, the media acts as though both of these individuals will think and feel in the same way. Similarly, the roles given to Middle Eastern individuals tend to be quite narrow. In the show “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”, most episodes dealing with Middle Eastern women place them as helpless victims, with Middle Eastern men generally acting as their victimizers. The role of terrorist is similarly frequently played by Middle Eastern men in television shows. Again, a diverse series of cultures is reduced to one or two tropes.
That said, however, this trend is slowly changing. For example, the television show “Bones” features a Middle Eastern man who bucks stereotypes. When he is first introduced he speaks in a heavy accent, however as he becomes more comfortable with the team, the accent drops. He is show to be a unique individual, with beliefs and values complimented, but not defined, by his culture. Similarly, the role of Dr. Bashir in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” illustrates a Middle Eastern actor being given a role outside the typical stereotype.
Overall, Middle Eastern individuals are treated as a cultural block, rather than individuals. They are given roles that fit stereotypes, but not their unique identities. This is reinforced by the media through the constant repetition of themes related to Middle Eastern individuals, and by narrowing the roles which are available to them. This is, however, gradually changing, with Middle Eastern actors being given broader range of roles to portray, which highlights the fact that society is slowly coming to understand that people are unique, not simply members of a monolithic culture.
