Analysis #7

(Opium Den – Asian themed party) Analysis based on Said’s Orientalism

Event details:

“An exotic evening inspired by the Orient”

“mystical world of decadence and artistry”

“Let Geishas pamper you and enjoy delectable fusion tasting menu and delicious Cavalli cocktails”

“Watch dazzling performances by Samurai warriors”

Analysis:

                During the colonial period of British and European domination in the Middle East the British and the French sought to rule so they began translating works from oriental languages into European languages. The orient, for those who sought to rule it, existed to be studied. It was studied by westerners who viewed themselves as superior to the “others,” which is how they described the East. The Orient was viewed as backwards and passive and thus needed to be dominated. Orientalist scholars did not distinguish among the countries of a region. “Oriental” was a universal term and all the cultures were lumped together.

                The Orient was depicted as an exotic place that was without the intellectual and industrial culture that made European countries great. Such depictions served to give European nation’s sufficient “permission” to violate and oppress the East.

                In the above event listing we see the present day effects of western orientalism views. We still view and depict the Eastern world as an exotic place that contains warriors, serventile women, and drug use. The Orient is depicted as a theme of entertainment. I found this listing to be quite offensive. The Eastern world is depicted as backwards and thus comical and by buying into such debilitating stereotype one is placing themselves in the position of the superior and thus serving a repressive agenda.