Month: February 2021

Growing up in the West, especially the United States, can definitely cause a skewed understanding of what the Middle East is really like. The way the Middle East is depicted through the Western lens is often dramatized. In Hollywood, the Middle East is often shot through a yellow filter, where the yellow tones add to the narratives of these places being dirty, uglier or dangerous. An overwhelming majority of films involving the Middle East revolve around terrorists. In the media, stories of suffering, instability and terrorism are likely the only things to get coverage. While these all very well may be very real matters in the Middle East, it should not be the only image that exists. Just like all of the United States is not just rude New Yorkers, the Middle East is not just one place full of struggle. It is full of different and diverse countries, cultures, languages and people. Rather than relying on Hollywood or the biased media which often tend to serve as the only sources of learning, one should not let these biases cloud their judgement and should make efforts to learn more about the region. Learn from unbiased sources or others personal experiences to gain different and new perspectives.