3rd June2016
Definition of Orientalism and How it is Problematic
Orientalism is a way of comparing the differences of European, American and Arab cultures through exaggerating, emphasizing and distorting. According to Said, Orientalism considers Arab and African ways of life as uncivilized, precarious and out of the ordinary. Said describes Orientalism as problematic as it is ironical to be perfectly implicit. Understanding how the so-called “cultural domination” has operated over the years has proved to be problematic.
Globalization
Globalization is used to describe broadly the course of escalating intellectual, social, economic and political relations while at the same time integrating people’s cultures around the world. However, many people view globalizations as a deplorable failure of having diversity and identity of different people. They also challenge globalization terming it as a growing domination platform for the unsympathetic and remote economic elites, particularly the western countries. Despite the technological advancements and expansion of the economy witnessed around the globe, antagonism is still apparent to different groups around the world.
Interventions Aimed at Arabs and Africans
Instead of maintaining security and peace and friendly relations among countries, the United Nations has continued to issues directives aimed against the Arabs. “In 2011, the Security Council authorized air strikes against Libyan government forces in response to widespread attacks on civilians during a popular rebellion” (Keating, 2013). This move by the superpowers diminishes the sovereignty of Africans living in Libya as it is a violation of the international laws and breach of the human rights act. Such attitudes ought to be challenged because they precipitate worsened economic conditions and represents a threat to the security of civilians.
European Music and Film
For many years, western countries have continued to support the music and film industries. As a result, there has been the emergence of talented musicians. The visibility of the support has seen various Western music stars turn to world mega-stars. It is ironical that Africans listen to western music, but the latter doest recognizes African music. According to Conrad (2010), Western films are considered as common goal culture especially with the increased globalization and the merging of cooperates in the media sector. The preserved Western dominance in cultures and entertainment and industry has elicited debates and variety of protests from African who feel left out in the world's affairs. Conrad (2010) challenges these preserved ‘dominance” by arguing that the process of globalization ought to correspond to the challenges facing cultural diversity. He argues that the imbalances between the economic elite and the poor African countries and the cultural nature should be treated solely in the United Nations to make that the matter is laid to rest.
Conclusion
As depicted in the novel Heart of Darkness, Orientalism as a theme differentiates the “oriental” European cultures against the Asian and African cultures. The presence of the UN body has been beneficial at times though many people consider its presence as a means of neo-colonialism. The uplifting of the trade barriers between African Countries and the European countries is one of the Achievements of the UN. However, regarding development, African countries have continued to experience unprecedented periods of severe economic conditions. The individual states sovereignty has come under threat caused by the transnational corporations that dominated by the Europeans. Also, western cultural goods and organizations have had substantial shares in the global economy hence inflicting suspicions about the dilapidated diversity and the diminishing value of African goods.
Reference
Conrad, J. (2010). Heart of darkness. London: Capuchin Classics.
Keating, T. (2013). The UN Security Council on Libya: Legitimation or Dissimulation? Libya, the Responsibility to Protect and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention, 162-190. doi:10.1057/9781137273956_8
