Prof. Shaheen is too political regarding these Arab movies and some of his comments are incorrect, his facts are not factual. These are movies made at a time when they were entertainment not political messages, the people making these movies were just making a movie, this was a job. I realize that some heritages are insulted by either Americans portraying Arabs, Orientals, etc., but that has always been the way it is. I'm 2nd generation American of Italian heritage, we've been portrayed as mobsters, drug runners, killers, etc., and have had Jews, Irish, British, etc. portray certain Italian mobsters, so what. I don't find it offensive and if people think that all Italians (especially Sicilians, which is what I am), are all those things and that our men beat their wives, well that's their problem. It's a Hollywood stereotype and I don't (and neither do any Italians that I know) take offense to this. If the Prof. feels that the Arabs are being portrayed poorly than he needs to realize that when these movies were made they were not done to insult or disrespect them, they were just movies and also at the time how many Arab actors were there. People get a bit too ridiculous with this politcally correct stuff depending on the nationality. I don't see Italians, Germans or the Irish screaming about being portrayed by Jews or other nationalities, being shown as mobsters, hoodlums, killers, Nazis, drunk or lazy, as we are portrayed in movies. Maybe we're more secure with our nationalities and don't feel threatened by the Hollywood ways. Maybe if people would just get over their sensitivity there wouldn't be so much division among the different ways, customs and nationalities. There are differences and commenting on how biased or racist Hollywood makes these images only makes them seem all the more different and cry-babies. I also have a problem with the Prof. telling the plot of the movies before the movie is shown, a perfect example is "The Sheik". He told about the Rudolph Valentino character's part in the movie, who "The Sheik" was and the ending of the movie. WHY! He's done this with several of the movies, telling what they're about and what happens and why. I could see Robert O. flinching and trying (with the class and respect he has) to rein in the Prof. and his comments which can be biased and wrong. He needs to control his comments, prejudice and telling us the end of the movies. Again, these movies were made in the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's when movies were movies, not really big on political statements, just pure entertainment. Every movie doesn't have to be perfect or politically correct, they should be enjoyable and entertaining. Watch a documentary if you want facts.
Arab Images On Film Evenings- [i]Politics-free[/i]
in General Discussions
Posted
Prof. Shaheen is too political regarding these Arab movies and some of his comments are incorrect, his facts are not factual. These are movies made at a time when they were entertainment not political messages, the people making these movies were just making a movie, this was a job. I realize that some heritages are insulted by either Americans portraying Arabs, Orientals, etc., but that has always been the way it is. I'm 2nd generation American of Italian heritage, we've been portrayed as mobsters, drug runners, killers, etc., and have had Jews, Irish, British, etc. portray certain Italian mobsters, so what. I don't find it offensive and if people think that all Italians (especially Sicilians, which is what I am), are all those things and that our men beat their wives, well that's their problem. It's a Hollywood stereotype and I don't (and neither do any Italians that I know) take offense to this. If the Prof. feels that the Arabs are being portrayed poorly than he needs to realize that when these movies were made they were not done to insult or disrespect them, they were just movies and also at the time how many Arab actors were there. People get a bit too ridiculous with this politcally correct stuff depending on the nationality. I don't see Italians, Germans or the Irish screaming about being portrayed by Jews or other nationalities, being shown as mobsters, hoodlums, killers, Nazis, drunk or lazy, as we are portrayed in movies. Maybe we're more secure with our nationalities and don't feel threatened by the Hollywood ways. Maybe if people would just get over their sensitivity there wouldn't be so much division among the different ways, customs and nationalities. There are differences and commenting on how biased or racist Hollywood makes these images only makes them seem all the more different and cry-babies. I also have a problem with the Prof. telling the plot of the movies before the movie is shown, a perfect example is "The Sheik". He told about the Rudolph Valentino character's part in the movie, who "The Sheik" was and the ending of the movie. WHY! He's done this with several of the movies, telling what they're about and what happens and why. I could see Robert O. flinching and trying (with the class and respect he has) to rein in the Prof. and his comments which can be biased and wrong. He needs to control his comments, prejudice and telling us the end of the movies. Again, these movies were made in the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's when movies were movies, not really big on political statements, just pure entertainment. Every movie doesn't have to be perfect or politically correct, they should be enjoyable and entertaining. Watch a documentary if you want facts.
Edited by: saturn4631 on Jul 9, 2011 10:05 PM