Let’s Get Cultured
What?
Said allocates Orientalism into three distinct meanings. In a broad sense these could be categorized as: academia, contrast to Occidentalism, and discourse in connection to power. The first meaning focuses on how Orientalism actually came to be. This academia includes “the source of its civilizations and languages, its cultural contestant, and one of its deepest and most recurring images in the Other” (Said, 2). Said stresses that “Orientalism lives on academically through its doctrines” (Said, 2). This could be connected to any culture; for each one has its own lineage and roots that allowed them to become a practiced and accepted culture. The second meaning Said presents is Orientalism’s contrast to Occidentalism. Here he emphasizes how “the Orient is the place of Europe’s greatest and richest and oldest colonies.. [and] in contrast, the American understanding of the Orient will seem considerably less dense” (Said, 2). This distinct contrast exists because of Europe’s history of colonialism with the Orient. Without the fact that different countries hold a different positionality, the Orient would never have anything to compare/contrast with, thus could never individually exist. A simple concept- however this notion could be transferred to nearly anything. For example, at this point in time there are a multitude of iPhones. When the phone first came out, there was only one edition. The iPhone One- however this was just referred to as an ‘iPhone’ because it had nothing to contrast with. Years later, we are up to six or seven edition iPhones. If asked as an iPhone owner today, one would have to specify- due to the fact that there are more iPhones to compare/contrast it with. This example might be a little far off, but the point is that without another culture to compare Orientalism to — such as Occidentalism — Orientalism could never exist as a definite and distinct culture. “Here I come to third meaning.. which is something more historically and materially defined than either of the other two.. In short, Orientalism as a Western style for dominating, restricting, and having authority over the Orient” (Said, 3). Discourse is everything in terms of power. We can’t know anything about the Orient without someone else relaying it to us, therefore discourse has the complete capability to make the culture be one of power, or one of inferiority.
So What?
Huntington’s argument is more that of an Occidentalist view in terms of discourse. This is obvious when he claims the following: “The West is and will remain for years to come the most powerful civilization. Yet its power relative to that of other civilizations is declining. As the West attempts to assert its values and to protect its interests, non-Western societies confront a choice. Some attempt to emulate the West and join or to “band wagon” with the West. Other societies attempt to expand their own economic and military power to resist and to “balance” against the West” (Huntington, 4). I am sure one with an Oriental standpoint would have to disagree with Huntington, and this ties into the critiques we talked about within Ethnography and Anthropology. Perspective is everything and it can never be determined if what one says is what another truly understands. Due to the errors in transferring communication, I don’t believe another culture or civilization can ever be fully grasped by an “outsider.” Because Huntington is that of an Occidentalist, he only has Occidental perspectives. He, in no way, would ever be able to understand the Oriental culture as an Orientalist does, because — quite simply — he is not an Orientalist.
Now What?
Throughout social media during this day in age, one can find a multitude of short videos or “meme” photos. I have seen a number of these in discriminating favor towards those with disabilities. My community partner is in a high school, surrounded by social media. Due to this, I can imagine the kids to feel incredibly ostracized from their peers if exposed to this media or just overhearing things in general. I had mentioned in class how my classroom holds a poster as large as one of the walls- stating their opposition to the use of the “R” word. Upon first observation of the poster, I was moved. Seeing all of the kids’ signatures, it was obvious that each one of them knew exactly what they we’re signing. It just goes to show how powerful discourse is; and how it can be so impactful in a negative way, just as much as positive.
