A review by mad3n
Orientalism by Edward W. Said

4.0

Edward Said is a pioneering brilliance!! He gives language and a framework for understanding the ways in which the West has understood and defined itself in a position of superiority to "the orient", specifically the Arabic speaking world, long before such discourse was given breath in western literature. He documents from pre-colonialism to modern day how certain perspectives and literary documentations of "the orient" made the way for western imperialism, colonialism, stereotypes, exploitation, dehumanization, etc. He chronicles the ways in which these attitudes influenced human history, and how they are alive today and baked into western consciousness and governmental policy in a way that continues to cause detrimental harm to MENA communities. Said also offers well rounded perspective on how to acknowledge Orientalism and proceed in a humanistic way from the unjust realities it has created to build a better world. I can't wait to read his other books. Said is a legend and I wish his work was more widely discussed in academic and political arenas.