Islamic Civ - Final Review

What is the “Orient,” according to Edward Said?

A Western-made idea of the East (Middle East, Asia, North Africa) imagined as exotic, backward, and inferior

How does Said define Orientalism?

A system of knowledge and power through which the West studies, represents, and dominates the Orient

Who created Orientalism, according to Said?

Western scholars, artists, politicians, and colonial institutions.

Why does Said argue there is no such thing as “pure” knowledge?

Knowledge is shaped by power, history, politics, and the scholar’s social position.

What role does culture play in Orientalism?

Culture spreads stereotypes through books, art, media, and education, reinforcing Western superiority.

How is Orientalism connected to colonialism?

It justified colonial rule by portraying Eastern societies as needing Western control.

How does Orientalism affect Muslims specifically?

Muslims are portrayed as violent, irrational, and incompatible with modernity.

How does Malcolm X respond to the interviewer’s question about violence at Berkeley?

He argues self-defense is justified when Black people face constant state violence.

How does Malcolm X redefine “violence”?

He points out that state oppression and racism are forms of violence ignored by the media.

How does Mamdani’s article help explain Malcolm X’s rhetoric?

Mamdani shows how violence by oppressed groups is labeled “irrational,” while state violence is normalized

What rhetorical strategy does Malcolm X use?

He flips the moral framing, exposing hypocrisy in how violence is discussed.

What is Jasbir Puar’s main argument?

The War on Terror reshaped ideas of sexuality, nationalism, and citizenship

What does Deepa Kumar emphasize?

Islamophobia is bipartisan and deeply embedded in U.S. media and foreign policy.

What is Noura Erakat’s key point?

International law is selectively applied to legitimize U.S. and Israeli violence.

How does Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor connect the War on Terror to Black Americans?

Militarization abroad mirrors policing, surveillance, and repression of Black communities at home.

What is Naomi Klein’s contribution?

The War on Terror fuels disaster capitalism and blocks climate justice efforts.

How does this panel complicate the idea that Islamophobia is only right-wing?

It shows liberals also support policies that produce Islamophobia through war, law, and surveillance.

How is the War on Terror connected to climate justice?

Military expansion worsens climate destruction while silencing climate activists.

What is Mamdani’s main argument about terrorism?

Terrorism is political violence shaped by history, not cultural or religious pathology.

How does Mamdani distinguish “good” vs “bad” Muslims?

The West rewards compliant Muslims and punishes those who resist imperial power.

What is Abu-Khalil’s critique of Western media?

It consistently dehumanizes Arabs and Muslims while excusing Western violence.

How does Abu-Khalil connect Islamophobia to power?

Islamophobia supports imperial control and silences political resistance.

What does Lisa Hajjar focus on?

Legal systems that normalize Israeli violence and criminalize Palestinian resistance.

What is “settler time”?

A timeline that erases Palestinian history and treats occupation as permanent and normal.

What does Sherene Seikaly emphasize?

Palestinian economic life and survival under occupation.

What is “grievability”?

Whose lives are seen as worthy of mourning and whose deaths are ignored.

How have Palestinians been dehumanized?

Through media framing, legal exclusion, and portrayal as threats rather than people.

What is “Pinkwashing”?

Using LGBTQ+ rights to portray Israel as progressive while masking oppression of Palestinians.

How is Pinkwashing related to Palestine?

It distracts from occupation by framing Israel as morally superior.

What might Edward Said say about the “Brand Israel” campaign?

It is a modern form of Orientalism that manufactures a sanitized image for Western audiences.