OK, I'm bragging. Anyways, my question is how we can have a different kind of Orientalism going. In the 19th century, several stereotypes of the Middle East were competing in European culture. One was that of ferocity, violent emotions, merciless bonds of honour and generations-old hatreds, of sensual indulgence between long stretches of deepest suffering. This is the world of 'Lawrence of Arabia' and still resonates with many Neoconservative renderings of Islamic radicalism, a world as sparse and harsh as the desert, as lush as the oases in it. It is the one that won - just look at the travel documentaries that come out of the Arabian peninsula, or the persistent annoying habit of calling Islam a 'desert religion'.
The other one lost out. It's still present - the popularity of Sufi poetry (in translation) bears witness to that. It casts the Middle East as a culture of spirituality and compassion, a perfectly balanced blend of worldly wisdom and mysticism, closer to God that we. Nowadays, though, it seems that South and East Asians have the market cornered on 'deep'. The idea is nicely encompassed in James Leigh Hunt's poem:
Yes, it's cheesy. I still like it.
The question is: how can this sterotype win out? What historical or cultural change of circumstances could lead to the widespread assumption among Europeans that Middle Easterners, or Arabs in particular, are spiritual, high-minded, gentle and wise. Note I'm not talking about reality, just the stereotype.
The other one lost out. It's still present - the popularity of Sufi poetry (in translation) bears witness to that. It casts the Middle East as a culture of spirituality and compassion, a perfectly balanced blend of worldly wisdom and mysticism, closer to God that we. Nowadays, though, it seems that South and East Asians have the market cornered on 'deep'. The idea is nicely encompassed in James Leigh Hunt's poem:
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
Yes, it's cheesy. I still like it.
The question is: how can this sterotype win out? What historical or cultural change of circumstances could lead to the widespread assumption among Europeans that Middle Easterners, or Arabs in particular, are spiritual, high-minded, gentle and wise. Note I'm not talking about reality, just the stereotype.