Edward Said is a studier of the concept of Orientalism. This “othering” of a racial group based on presumptions and misinterpretations, including the backwardness of their culture, is suppressing universal growth. Said’s goal is to end this closed view of the world. Rejecting the idea of Orientalism would not be the denial of a difference between the Orient’s culture and the Western world. Rather it would be denying the lack of differences in one culture. It would require a more closer, fine tuned examining eye to study history microscopically instead of a generalized view. What Said wants the universe to be rid of, for example, is assuming that all Arabs are terrorists. Or even claiming that all African cultures use geometric designs in their art and eat baked yams. Each person must be given a voice in order for his or her identities to be properly understood.


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