DOTCOM Phase 3 Module # 2: REEL BAD ARABS

I would like to apologize for the late response. This module was originally due on the Jewish High Holiday of Yom Kippur and after observing the holiday, I was behind not only in my DOTCOM work, but in my schoolwork as well. One of the beautiful things about the DOTCOM program is its diversity, and as a diverse program featuring individuals of different backgrounds, I know that everyone reading this post will understand the delay. THANKS!

Ready?

"Arab."

Without thinking, write down the very first thing that came into your mind.

The first thing that came to my mind when I heard “Arab” was the word “oil”. I know that the majority of Arabs are not involved in the oil trade. However, the mainstream media’s focus on the Arab world is directed primarily on Western involvement in the Middle East. Many of the conflicts in the Middle East, or at least the involvement of America in many Middle Eastern conflicts is related in some way to oil. I do not feel that I have associated Arabs as a whole with oil, but rather American relations with the Arab world. “Arab” describes an enormously diverse group of people. Anyone that identifies with a certain linguistic, cultural or genealogical history can be considered Arab. There are Arab Muslims, Christians, Jews, Atheists, and believers in hundreds of other faiths. Arabs live all over the world. Some live in Western Asia, Northern Africa, Europe, the United States—there is even a large Arab population in Brazil. Asking what do you think of when you hear “Arab” is like asking what one thinks of when he or she hears “European”. The groups of people described by both of these terms are so diverse and unique that it is incredibly difficult to even pinpoint the first word that comes to mind.

1. THE THREE-PART BRAIN - In what ways do YOU think REEL BAD ARABS attracted your REPTILIAN (instinctual), FEELING (limbic) and THINKING (neo-cortex) brains?

My reptilian brain was definitely affected by the images of violence and guns that triggered my instinctual “flight or fight” defense mechanisms. Every image was primarily evaluated on whether or not the individual depicted seemed threatening, attractive, or edible. Typical reptilian :-D . My limbic brain responded to the music (the strings in the beginning really drew me in to the film), and the diversity of images. My limbic brain added secondary emotional qualities to the reptilian response. Sometimes, the images were outrageously stereotypical, almost comedic. My neo-cortex evaluated not only what was being narrated, it also analyzed the response that my reptilian and limbic brains had to the film. I realized that a lot of the stereotypes portrayed were one’s incredibly to familiar to me. I found REEL BAD ARABS incredibly interesting.

2.PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES - List and describe one specific production technique - lighting, music, camera effects, editing - used by REEL BAD ARABS.

Editing: Many of the clips were taken from other sources such as older Hollywood films. These clips were brilliantly and smoothly spliced together and moved quickly enough to keep the viewer involved. The narration was consistently audible and the music choice really set the mood for the film.

3. PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES - Looking at our list of 24 plus persuasive techniques, list and describe a specific moment from the film as an example of THREE different specific persuasive techniques used by our filmmakers.

Scapegoat – although the film itself is trying to combat the use of Arabs as a cultural scapegoat, part of the irony is the video’s persuasive portrayal of Hollywood as the responsible party for producing the majority of Arab stereotypes. In other words, Hollywood is REEL BAD ARABS’ Scapegoat.

Fear/Defense/Nationalism – the film itself does not use this persuasive technique. However, it claims that Hollywood has been taking advantage of fear and nationalism to create the majority of Arab stereotypes.

Timing – the film does a fantastic job of incorporating clips and keeping the viewer constantly involved in the video’s message.

4. SUGGESTIONS - Offer one specific suggestion for the REEL BAD ARABS filmmakers that might make their film even more powerful.

Other than Hollywood footage, the film offers no specific evidence that the stereotypes portrayed in the film still exist in modern culture (and I know they do). The film would be much more powerful if it featured non-Arab individuals voicing their stereotypes and explaining how Hollywood has affected their view of Arabs. This would allow the film to target a much larger audience as well. Right now the audience most suited to viewing this film are those that have already admitted that they have biases and stereotypes and have a larger understanding of the Arab world than the clichés discussed in the video.

5. Would you recommend this film for viewing with friends or colleagues? Why or why not?

I would definitively recommend this to a friend. However, as I mentioned earlier, the film is not suited to those whose only understanding of the Arab world is their own stereotypes. I would only suggest this film to individuals that have an open mind and an understanding of Arabs that exceeds the stereotypes mentioned in REEL BAD ARABS.