The Orientalism of Aladdin
Ever wondered why Arabs have always been portrayed as camel riders, sexual harem girls, violent men with thick beards and big noses, and always in the desert? Well, it all goes back to Orientalism. “Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of aspects of the Eastern world. These depictions are usually made by writers, designers, and artists from the Western world.” These depictions are literally made up, they are based on fantasies. Art, music, films, and tv shows have always depicted Arabs inaccurately, Aladdin is one of them. Orientalism is ingrained in the Western mind and media.