Said, Bald and Swet Shop Boys
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Said argues that the Orient is not merely imaginative because it has played a crucial role in shaping European material culture and civilization. He claims that the Orient is more than just a projection of European fantasies about exotic lands; it is an "integral part of European material civilization and culture" (Said, 2). Orientalism, according to Said, functions as a "mode of discourse" supported by institutions, vocabulary, and doctrines embedded in European colonial and intellectual systems (Said, 2). This discourse shapes how the Orient is viewed, reinforcing Western dominance and control. By insisting that the Orient is not merely imaginative, Said highlights the real political, economic, and cultural consequences of Europe's engagement with the Orient, where colonialism, scholarship, and art worked together to establish and sustain European power. As Said explains, "The Orient has helped to define Europe (or the West) as its contrasting image, idea, personality, experience," demonstrating how the Orient was central to Europe's self-definition and colonial ventures (Said, 2-3).
In my opinion, the question, "Could Black or brown folks use Orientalism to their advantage?" ties closely to Said’s analysis in Orientalism. During the Jim Crow era, African Americans leveraged the concept of the "Oriental" to navigate and sometimes defy racial restrictions. By adopting "Oriental" identities, such as pretending to be East Indians, they were able to sidestep some of the rigid racial barriers imposed by Jim Crow laws. This allowed them to access spaces and privileges that were otherwise off-limits due to their race.
For example, African Americans would sometimes pose as East Indian magicians or spiritualists. A notable case in Bald’s reading is an African American man who, by dressing in traditional Indian attire and performing as a Hindu fakir, managed to move more freely and gain entry to places restricted to Black individuals. This use of "Oriental" identity helped him bypass the racial segregation of the time.
As mentionned, Said argues that Orientalism isn’t merely a Western fantasy but a structured discourse deeply embedded in European and American cultures, used to assert dominance and maintain racial hierarchies. In this context, African Americans' strategic use of "Oriental" identities was a clever way to exploit these stereotypes for greater mobility and access.
However, while using "Oriental" identities offered some temporary relief, it wasn’t a real solution, and it was quite limited. It's troubling that marginalized groups had to rely on these stereotypes just to get any recognition or access. Even East Indians, who were used to bypass racial barriers, were still seen through demeaning and subhuman stereotypes. This shows how flawed the system is when the only way to navigate oppression is by fitting into harmful and simplistic stereotypes.
I’m not entirely sure, but I think the collage in 'Sweat Shop Boys' can be seen as highlighting the stark contrast between Western romanticization and fetishization of Eastern cultures and the harsh realities faced by people in those regions and in the United States. While Eastern cultures are indeed beautiful, the West's limited engagement with them—focusing only on a glamorous and "exotic" portrayal of East India—caters primarily to Western fantasies and desires.
Side note: Fire song—definitely adding it to my Spotify playlist!
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Maya! You're Number One. Thank you for writing so well about these self-Orientalising strategies.