The term Orientalism was first coined by Edward Said, who defined it as a Western style of thought deeming other cultures as being otherworldy and in need of saving.

Said argued that Orientalism was created by the West to justify “civilizing” the Global South through military intervention and imperialism.

The earliest forms of Orientalist media were paintings of Southwest Asia by European traveling artists depicting the region as savage and uncivilized.

To identify Orientalist media, look for depictions of the East as exotic, vulnerable, or dysfunctional.

Orientalist media often portrays South Asia as a mythical and exotic land and depicts Asian and Arab women as submissive and promiscuous.

Orientalist media often depicts the Global South as being riddled with violence and corruption and represents its citizens as uncivilized criminals.

Edward Said warned that it’s nearly impossible for discussions of the East to escape Orientalism because of the ideology’s prevalence in our society. Always be on the lookout for signs of Orientalism in the media!