Jen -- Islam Media and the West

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Being in our last year (and for many us our final semester) of study as Media, Communication, and Culture scholars we are all well versed in discussion over media representation, the power of media, and the media’s role in the global sphere.
While most of our class had several article topics in common each of us had our own way of coming to terms and interpreting the information.

While I found that the majority of our class was hesitant to speak up at times, I would not say that our perception, knowledge, or surprise of the representation of the Middle East, Islam, and Arabs is because we are naïve to it all, as we have all been taking MCC courses. What this course really brought to everyone’s attention is how marginalized and generalized Arabs, Muslims, and the Middle East have been represented, especially in the media. I think we have all become much more aware and not as dismissive when someone is allowed to make a derogatory retort or insult towards Arabs, the Middle East, and Islam. As much as the misconceptions over Islam and the Middle East are so prevalent in the daily headlines not much is known and who they are has been virtually ignored as no one takes the time to fully understand. What I have understood from my classmates’ blogs is everyone not only relying on particular news sources or one perspective, rather everyone at some point looked towards an “alternative” source to really add insight and a better rounded view on particular topics in order to reach a greater understanding.

There were several posts where people took the time out to explore topics they were curious about. I know Malini had one entry where she talked about famous Arabs and its true there are few I can name and I thought it was great how she followed up her post with some research she had found. This worked to not only bring awareness that yes, Arab Americas do exist in the American public sphere but also in the difficulty of compiling this brief list.

I also think everyone really realized the importance of the discourse between the different viewpoints people across America (and even globally thanks to Emily F’s global perspectives) hold. Emily C had a post about a girl she knew from home who is now married to a Marine and is adamant about the military staying in Iraq but she also included the public exchange between that girl and the other who responded and challenged her position just like the encounter Sarah L had when she posted the ‘Stop the Clash’ video and someone she knew told her she knows very little of the conflict. And Sarah even noted how the discussion turned out the way it did and the need at times for compassion to really see the person’s view. And Emily C’s post reminded us of the Western representations and stereotypes of ourselves and how within our nation and communities we are still conflicting over different views and standings on political and social issues.

Being that this course does deal primarily with media I thought Emma and Sara brought in great
contemporary examples with youtube videos about current programming and video currently circulating. I also enjoyed reading Lauren’s summaries of book readings she attended throughout the semester. I found all these to be great examples of really incorporating how different types of media and programming (tv, youtube, movies, books, etc) not just news agencies are discussing and portraying Islam and the Middle East.

I thought it was great how Mike brought in the examples of issues that continue to be ignored, the Muslims predicament in China to the fact that there are other societies that are generalized and ignored in our politics, like Russia. Sarah L also had a post about the devastation of Africa (the Congo specifically) yet that is not addressed in our major discourse, it’s just a tiny line on the NY Times page. I know people reflected that at times they felt they were coming across so cynical about the news, various conflicts, and America but I didn’t find it to be all focused on cynicism I really found that my classmates throughout the course were able to critically discuss and question the material that was coming our way.