This is my first classroom exposure to the subject of current conflicts and recent events in the Middle East. I think I have been very confused by the U.S. media since I, like many Americans my age, have relied heavily on major news organizations to present these facts to me.
I have gradually become more aware of the extent to which corporate interests in the U.S. can play such a role in filtering and manipulating journalists, but after seeing the film Peace, Propaganda, & The Promised Land: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, I found myself shocked and disappointed with how much journalism seems to have lost its integrity. Specifically so in the U.S. It has become clear that propaganda is being used specifically to confuse many of us because if half of us understood the history of these conflicts and the occupancy of the Israeli military, I feel many Americans would no longer wish to support these efforts simply for oil or business.
Much of the footage I saw in the film of Palestine was new to my eyes. I don't understand why other countries have managed to show much clearer and unbiased stories. What makes our society different in that respect? I also wonder when corporate interests became so intertwined with journalism. What happened to muckraking and why does our government have the power to keep Americans in the dark? I have learned that I cannot rely on simple media coverage to understand what is going on day to day. It is my responsibility as a citizen to keep myself informed even if that means I must look elsewhere for the facts.
I was also quite surprised by my lack of awareness to the disrespectful portrayal of Middle Eastern people in not a few, but many movies which I have watched and considered to be some of my favorites. When examined in such a way as presented in the film Reel Bad Arabs it was absolutely surprising to me, but I had to agree with it. I find it hard to believe that other races would not be offended if they were portrayed time and time again as a threatening and “barbaric” people. Now that I am aware of Hollywood’s pattern, I know I will be unable to ignore such representations in the future. I think it is truly unfortunate that film makers continue to strengthen such stereotypes and that as an audience we have not responded to this.
I truly hope to get a lot out of this course and that by blogging my thoughts and sharing my opinions I can make others more aware of these issues.
