DOCSLIB.ORG

Atavism and Modernity in Time's Portrayal of the Arab World, 2001-2011

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Atavism and Modernity in Time's Portrayal of the Arab World, 2001-2011 Atavism and Modernity in Time's Portrayal of the Arab World, 2001-2011 A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Mary R. Abowd August 2013 © 2013 Mary R. Abowd. All Rights Reserved. This dissertation titled Atavism and Modernity in Time's Portrayal of the Arab World, 2001-2011 by MARY R. ABOWD has been approved for the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism and the Scripps College of Communication by Anne Cooper Professor Emerita of Journalism Scott Titsworth Dean, Scripps College of Communication ii ABSTRACT ABOWD, MARY R., Ph.D., August 2013, Journalism Atavism and Modernity in Time's Portrayal of the Arab World, 2001-2011 Director of Dissertation: Anne Cooper This study builds on research that has documented the persistence of negative stereotypes of Arabs and the Arab world in the U.S. media during more than a century. The specific focus is Time magazine’s portrayal of Arabs and their societies between 2001 and 2011, a period that includes the September 11, 2001, attacks; the ensuing U.S.- led “war on terror;” and the mass “Arab Spring” uprisings that spread across the Arab world beginning in late 2010. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores whether and to what extent Time’s coverage employs what Said (1978) called Orientalism, a powerful binary between the West and the Orient characterized by a consistent portrayal of the West as superior—rational, ordered, cultured—and the Orient as its opposite—irrational, chaotic, depraved. A quantitative content analysis of 271 Time feature stories and photographs revealed that Time’s coverage focused predominately on conflict, violence, and dysfunction. Nations that received the most frequent coverage were those where the United States was involved militarily, such as Iraq, as well as those that receive the most U.S. foreign aid or are strategically important to U.S. interests. These findings coalesce with the study’s qualitative portion, a critical discourse analysis of approximately 20 percent of the data set that employs metaphor and framing theory. This thread of the study reveals an overarching Orientalist binary where Arabs are portrayed either as “atavistic” or “modern.” As “atavistic,” they are backward and irrationally violent, possessing corrupt and failed leaders and terrified, preyed-upon iii women; as “modern,” they strive to look, dress, act, and think like Westerners. Arab moderns oftentimes apologize for their societies’ atavistic ways. Media scholars have noted an apparent shift in coverage of Arabs after the events of September 11, with more favorable or complex portrayals found in journalism, television, and film. However, this study revealed no such shift in Time. In fact, as Time, a weekly, struggles to compete amid a transformed media environment of cable channels and 24-hour news cycles, the 90-year-old icon of American journalism now appears to cling ever more tightly to sensationalism and longstanding negative stereotypes of America’s perceived enemies. iv DEDICATION For Loren, Olivia, and Rachel v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my deepest thanks to my dissertation advisor Anne Cooper for her invaluable and expert help, her generosity, and her encouragement. I would also like to thank my dissertation committee members Duncan Brown, Marilyn Greenwald, Jaclyn Maxwell, and Sholeh Quinn. Diana Nichols provided superb and speedy assistance with research, and Jennifer Kowalsky helped greatly with statistics, tables, and figures. I am grateful to my sister Gabrièle Abowd Damico who served as a coder for the quantitative portion of this project and who provided constant support from miles away. I also thank my parents, Thomas and Anne Marie Abowd, for their belief in me and for making so many things possible. My greatest thanks goes to my husband, Loren Lybarger, who read multiple drafts and provided crucial input at every stage. I thank him for his brilliance, steadfastness, kindness, and love. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Dedication ........................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. vi List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................... 5 Orientalism ...................................................................................................................... 6 Variations on a Theme: American Orientalism ............................................................ 11 Orientalism and the Depiction of Arabs in the U.S. Media .......................................... 15 Arabs, the Arab World, and their Contributions ........................................................... 19 The Relationship of the United States to the Middle East Historically ........................ 22 Why this Time Frame? ................................................................................................. 27 Time Magazine ............................................................................................................. 29 The Decline of Foreign News Coverage ....................................................................... 36 Chapter 2: Quantitative Analysis ...................................................................................... 40 Related Studies ............................................................................................................. 40 Western News Coverage of the Developing World .................................................. 40 Differential Coverage of Nations .............................................................................. 44 Orientalism and Arab Stereotypes ............................................................................ 45 Visual Portrayals ....................................................................................................... 48 Method .......................................................................................................................... 50 Results ........................................................................................................................... 54 Images ....................................................................................................................... 62 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter 3: Qualitative Analysis ........................................................................................ 74 Related Studies ............................................................................................................. 74 War/Conflict Metaphors ........................................................................................... 78 Arab World Coverage ............................................................................................... 83 Framing ..................................................................................................................... 84 vii Stigmatized, Marginalized Groups ........................................................................... 91 Time’s Covers ........................................................................................................... 99 Method ........................................................................................................................ 103 Qualitative Interpretation ............................................................................................ 106 Failed Society, Pathological People ........................................................................ 107 Religious Fanaticism/Sociopathic Violence ........................................................... 110 Palestinians ......................................................................................................... 111 Iraqis ................................................................................................................... 116 Corrupt Authoritarians: Failed Leaders .................................................................. 124 Deformed Women, Deformed Families .................................................................. 139 Arabs as Moderns ................................................................................................... 145 Iraqi and Lebanese Youth ................................................................................... 146 Jordan .................................................................................................................. 148 Palestinians ......................................................................................................... 151 Revolutions ......................................................................................................... 154 Chapter
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Annual Report and Accounts 2019
    IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC BRANDS IMPERIAL ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019 ACCOUNTS AND REPORT ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2019 OUR PURPOSE WE CAN I OWN Our purpose is to create something Everything See it, seize it, is possible, make it happen better for the world’s smokers with together we win our portfolio of high quality next generation and tobacco products. In doing so we are transforming WE SURPRISE I AM our business and strengthening New thinking, My contribution new actions, counts, think free, our sustainability and value creation. exceed what’s speak free, act possible with integrity OUR VALUES Our values express who we are and WE ENJOY I ENGAGE capture the behaviours we expect Thrive on Listen, challenge, share, make from everyone who works for us. make it fun connections The following table constitutes our Non-Financial Information Statement in compliance with Sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006. The information listed is incorporated by cross-reference. Additional Non-Financial Information is also available on our website www.imperialbrands.com. Policies and standards which Information necessary to understand our business Page Reporting requirement govern our approach1 and its impact, policy due diligence and outcomes reference Environmental matters • Occupational health, safety and Environmental targets 21 environmental policy and framework • Sustainable tobacco programme International management systems 21 Climate and energy 21 Reducing waste 19 Sustainable tobacco supply 20 Supporting wood sustainability
    [Show full text]
  • Am Yisrael: a Resource Guide to Exploring the Many Faces of the Jewish People
    Am Yisrael: A Resource Guide to Exploring the Many Faces of the Jewish People Prepared by Congregation Beth Adam and OurJewishCommunity.org with support from The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati Table of Contents A Letter to Grownups ....................................................... Page 1 Am Yisrael: One Big Jewish Family ...................................... Page 2 Where Jews Live .............................................................. Page 3 What Jews Look Like ......................................................... Page 4 What Jews Wear ............................................................... Pages 5-8 What Jews Eat ................................................................ Page 9 Fun Jewish Recipes from Around the World ........................... Pages 10-12 I Love Being Jewish ......................................................... Page 13 Discussion Generating Activities ........................................ Pages 14-15 Discussion Questions ....................................................... Page 16 Jewish Diversity Songs ..................................................... Page 17 Coloring Book Pages ........................................................ Pages 18-29 Acknowledgments .......................................................... Page 30 Letter to Grownups When you think of Jews, what do you picture? What do they eat? What language do they speak? How do they dress? What makes them unique? There are so many ways to be Jewish, and so many different Jewish cultures around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Literariness.Org-Mareike-Jenner-Auth
    Crime Files Series General Editor: Clive Bloom Since its invention in the nineteenth century, detective fiction has never been more pop- ular. In novels, short stories, films, radio, television and now in computer games, private detectives and psychopaths, prim poisoners and overworked cops, tommy gun gangsters and cocaine criminals are the very stuff of modern imagination, and their creators one mainstay of popular consciousness. Crime Files is a ground-breaking series offering scholars, students and discerning readers a comprehensive set of guides to the world of crime and detective fiction. Every aspect of crime writing, detective fiction, gangster movie, true-crime exposé, police procedural and post-colonial investigation is explored through clear and informative texts offering comprehensive coverage and theoretical sophistication. Titles include: Maurizio Ascari A COUNTER-HISTORY OF CRIME FICTION Supernatural, Gothic, Sensational Pamela Bedore DIME NOVELS AND THE ROOTS OF AMERICAN DETECTIVE FICTION Hans Bertens and Theo D’haen CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CRIME FICTION Anita Biressi CRIME, FEAR AND THE LAW IN TRUE CRIME STORIES Clare Clarke LATE VICTORIAN CRIME FICTION IN THE SHADOWS OF SHERLOCK Paul Cobley THE AMERICAN THRILLER Generic Innovation and Social Change in the 1970s Michael Cook NARRATIVES OF ENCLOSURE IN DETECTIVE FICTION The Locked Room Mystery Michael Cook DETECTIVE FICTION AND THE GHOST STORY The Haunted Text Barry Forshaw DEATH IN A COLD CLIMATE A Guide to Scandinavian Crime Fiction Barry Forshaw BRITISH CRIME FILM Subverting
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf (Boe-A-2001-14861
    BOE núm. 182 Martes 31 julio 2001 27971 Áreas y materias Primer Segundo Tercer Cuarto curso curso curso curso MINISTERIO DE ECONOMÍA Educación Plástica y Visual ........ 2 2 2 3* 14861 RESOLUCIÓN de 26 de julio de 2001, del Ética .................................. — — — 2 Comisionado para el Mercado de Tabacos, por Música ............................... 2 2 2 3* la que se publican los precios de venta al públi- Tecnología .......................... 2 2 2 3* co de determinadas labores de tabaco en Religión/Actividades de estudio . 1 2 1 2 expendedurías de tabaco y timbre del área Optativas ............................ 2 2 2 2 del monopolio. En virtud de lo establecido en el artículo 4 de la Total horas ..................... 29 29 29 29 Ley 13/1998, de Ordenación del Mercado de Tabacos, se publican los precios de venta al público de deter- (*) Áreas y materias optativas entre las que el alumno cursará dos. minadas labores de tabaco en Expendedurías de Tabaco y Timbre del área del Monopolio, que han sido propues- tos por los correspondientes fabricantes e importadores. ANEXO II Primero.—Los precios de venta al público de las labo- res de tabaco que se indican a continuación, incluidos Horario semanal de áreas y materias en el segundo los diferentes tributos, en Expendedurías de Tabaco y curso de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria durante Timbre de la Península e Illes Balears, serán los siguien- el año académico 2001-2002 en los centros a los que tes: se refiere el apartado tercero de la presente Orden Precio total de venta al público Áreas y materias Segundo curso Pesetas/cajetilla Euros/cajetilla Lengua Castellana y Literatura .....................
    [Show full text]
  • Animation! [Page 8–9] 772535 293004 the TOWER 9> Playing in the Online Dark
    9 euro | SPRING 2020 MODERN TIMES REVIEW THE EUROPEAN DOCUMENTARY MAGAZINE CPH:DOX THESSALONIKI DF ONE WORLD CINÉMA DU RÉEL Copenhagen, Denmark Thessaloniki, Greece Prague, Czech Paris, France Intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging? [page 10–11] THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF THE PAINTER HUMAN IDFF MAJORDOCS BOOKS PHOTOGRAPHY Oslo, Norway Palma, Mallorca New Big Tech, New Left Cinema The Self Portrait; Dear Mr. Picasso Animation! [page 8–9] 772535 293004 THE TOWER 9> Playing in the online dark In its more halcyon early days, nature of these interactions. ABUSE: In a radical the internet was welcomed Still, the messages and shared psychosocial experiment, into households for its utopi- (albeit blurred for us) images an possibilities. A constantly are highly disturbing, the bra- the scope of online updating trove of searchable zenness and sheer volume of child abuse in the Czech information made bound en- the approaches enough to sha- Republic is uncovered. cyclopaedia sets all but obso- ke anyone’s trust in basic hu- lete; email and social media manity to the core («potential- BY CARMEN GRAY promised to connect citizens ly triggering» is a word applied of the world, no longer seg- to films liberally these days, Caught in the Net mented into tribes by physical but if any film warrants it, it is distance, in greater cultural un- surely this one). Director Vit Klusák, Barbora derstanding. The make-up artist recog- Chalupová In the rush of enthusiasm, nises one of the men and is Czech Republic, Slovakia the old truth was suspended, chilled to witness this behav- that tools are only as enlight- iour from someone she knows, ened as their users.
    [Show full text]
  • Pyramid Cigarettes
    ** Pyramid Cigarettes ** Pyramid Red Box 10 Carton Pyramid Blue Box 10 Carton Pyramid Menthol Gold Box 10 Carton Pyramid Menthol Silver Box 10 Carton Pyramid Orange Box 10 Carton Pyramid Red Box 100 10 Carton Pyramid Blue Box 100 10 Carton Pyramid Menthol Gold Box 100 10 Carton Pyramid Menthol Silver Box 100 10 Carton Pyramid Orange Box 100 10 Carton Pyramid Non Filter Box 10 Carton ** E Cigarettes ** Logic Disposable E Cigarette Menthol Gold 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Menthol High 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Menthol Platinum 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Menthol Sterling 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Menthol Zero 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Gold 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette High 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Sterling 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Platinum 24 Box Logic Disposable E Cigarette Zero 24 Box ** Premium Cigars ** Acid Krush Classic Blue 5-10pk Tin Acid Krush Classic Mad Morado 5-10pk Tin Acid Krush Classic Gold 5-10pk Tin Acid Krush Classic Red 5-10pk Tin Acid Kuba Kuba 24 Box Acid Blondie 40 Box Acid C-Note 20 Box Acid Kuba Maduro 24 Box Acid 1400cc 18 Box Acid Blondie Belicoso 24 Box Acid Kuba Deluxe 10 Box Acid Cold Infusion 24 Box Ambrosia Clove Tiki 10 Box Acid Larry 10-3pk Pack Acid Deep Dish 24 Box Acid Wafe 28 Box Acid Atom Maduro 24 Box Acid Nasty 24 Box Acid Roam 10 Box Antano Dark Corojo Azarosa 20 Box Antano Dark Corojo El Martillo 20 Box Antano Dark Corojo Pesadilla 20 Box Antano Dark Corojo Poderoso 20 Box Natural Dirt 24 Box Acid Liquid 24 Box Acid Blondie
    [Show full text]
  • Film: Literature and Law FM 241.01/EN244.01
    Film: Literature and Law FM 241.01/EN244.01 John J. Michalczyk Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00 PM Interest in the rapport between film and literature as it relates to the law intrigues us as much today as ever. Literature can vividly capture the drama of a legal trial or an investigation into a brutal, racial murder. Film then takes this rich material and shapes it into a compelling form with dynamic visuals and other narrative techniques. This course explores the power of story-telling and the impact of film to portray the inner workings of law and its relationship to ideas about inferiority, liberty, citizenry, race, justice, crime, punishment, and social order. Short stories, plays, and novellas with their accompanying film adaptations will comprise the body of the curriculum. All texts are required and will be available at the Bookstore or can be purchased through Amazon.com. Check online for free texts. Reflection questions based on the readings and film screenings will be emailed prior to each class. Class: Date/Texts/Films 1. Jan.17 Introduction and methodology utilized in the course Literary excerpts with analysis of form and content Arthur Miller: The Crucible Film: Nicholas Hytner’s The Crucible The Salem witch trials and the sensitive conscience of John Proctor, an allegory of the McCarthy era. 2. Jan. 24 Arthur Miller: The Crucible (discussion) Film: David Helpern’s Hollywood on Trial documenting the 1948 trial of Hollywood 10. Film: High Noon, a Western allegory about standing up against oppression during the McCarthy era. 3. Jan. 31 Robert Bolt: Man for All Seasons Film: Zinneman’s Man for All Seasons Thomas More, a man of conscience, stands up against Henry VIII.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkish Literature from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia Turkish Literature
    Turkish literature From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Turkish literature By category Epic tradition Orhon Dede Korkut Köroğlu Folk tradition Folk literature Folklore Ottoman era Poetry Prose Republican era Poetry Prose V T E A page from the Dîvân-ı Fuzûlî, the collected poems of the 16th-century Azerbaijanipoet Fuzûlî. Turkish literature (Turkish: Türk edebiyatı or Türk yazını) comprises both oral compositions and written texts in the Turkish language, either in its Ottoman form or in less exclusively literary forms, such as that spoken in the Republic of Turkey today. The Ottoman Turkish language, which forms the basis of much of the written corpus, was influenced by Persian and Arabic and used the Ottoman Turkish alphabet. The history of the broader Turkic literature spans a period of nearly 1,300 years. The oldest extant records of written Turkic are the Orhon inscriptions, found in the Orhon River valley in central Mongolia and dating to the 7th century. Subsequent to this period, between the 9th and 11th centuries, there arose among the nomadic Turkic peoples of Central Asia a tradition of oral epics, such as the Book of Dede Korkut of the Oghuz Turks—the linguistic and cultural ancestors of the modern Turkish people—and the Manas epic of the Kyrgyz people. Beginning with the victory of the Seljuks at the Battle of Manzikert in the late 11th century, the Oghuz Turks began to settle in Anatolia, and in addition to the earlier oral traditions there arose a written literary tradition issuing largely—in terms of themes, genres, and styles— from Arabic and Persian literature.
    [Show full text]
  • American Reynolds – Historic All-Time High in Brand Acquisitions 14
    MARKABLES American Reynolds – Historic All-Time High in Brand Acquisitions 14 American Reynolds – Historic All-Time High in Brand Acquisitions White Paper Dr. Christof Binder Schwyz, April 3rd, 2018 Historic All-Time High in Brand Acquisitions Recently, on March 15th, British American Tobacco (BAT) filed their annual report for 2017, including the valuation of the assets purchased with their acquisition of Reyn- olds American on July 25th, 2017. With this report, accounting for brands experienced a historic moment with the reporting of a brand value of US$ 93.6 billion acquired with Reynolds American by BAT. The portfolio of acquired brands includes Newport, Pall Mall, Camel, Natural American Spirits, Grizzly and Kodiak. This is a new all-time high which more than doubles the previous record high of Kraft Foods (2015, US$ 41.3 billion). The brand value embedded the acquisition of Reynolds American is remarkable in three aspects: 1. It is the most valuable brand portfolio ever acquired. What is more, 2. the ratio brand value / brand revenues is amongst the highest ever reported. And 3. the ratio brand value / enterprise value of 89% shows that there were hardly any other assets than brand within this acquisition. The valuation and accounting of brands dates back to the mid-eighties when British and Australian companies like NewsCorp, Reckitt & Coleman, GrandMet and Ranks Hovis McDougall pioneered the valuation, auditing and reporting of some of their brands in their financial statements. According to accounting standards, all acquired brands have to be valued and reported separately since 2000 in the US and since 2004 in most other countries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Public Eye, Summer 2015
    SUMMER 2015 The Public Eye When the Exception Is the Rule Christianity in the Religious Freedom Debates editor’s letter perspectives BY LInDsay BeyersTEIn THE PUBLIC EYE quarterly PUBLIsHER Tarso Luís Ramos Struggling to Get Church GUEsT EDIToR Kathryn Joyce Beyond the Hate Frame LAYoUT and State Right Jennifer Hall CoVER art Political Research Associates always strives to see both the trees and the forest: to go Asad Badat Whether it’s a spree killing, a vandalized mosque, or a beyond caricatures to provide fresh research and analysis on individual conservative bias attack on a queer teen, Americans are quick to chalk it PRInTInG activists and coalitions, but also to situate these actors in the larger infrastructure of Red Sun Press up to hate. The label “hate crime” invites us to blame over- the Right. The first piece in our Summer 2015 issue,“Beyond the Hate Frame” (page wrought individuals acting on extreme personal prejudice, EDIToRIAL BoARD , speaks to this ideal: an interview with Kay Whitlock and Michael Bronski, authors of 3) T.F. Charlton • Frederick Clarkson making it seem as if a small cadre of social deviants is our the new book Considering Hate, which explores how “the hate frame” obscures broader Alex DiBranco • Eric Ethington main obstacle to a peaceful society. In fact, such individu- issues of systemic violence. Kapya Kaoma • L. Cole Parke als are products of a society that endorses all kinds of vio- Tarso Luís Ramos • Spencer Sunshine lence against the very same groups who are targeted in hate As this issue is going to press, the Supreme Court has just announced its historic rul- Mariya Strauss crimes.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Guises of Transnationalism in Israel/Palestine
    Guises of Transnationalism in Israel/Palestine: A few notes on 5 Broken Camerasi Yael Friedman University of Portsmouth The discussion of Israeli cinema is governed, predominantly, by the perspective of national cinema. The dominant framework of analysis tends to be that of Zionism and, by and large, both in critical writing and exhibition contexts, a very clear dichotomy is maintained between Israeli and Palestinian cinemas and between Israeli cinema and cinemas of the Middle East. Such a governing perspective often excludes or distorts a critical discussion of the transnational in films that emerge both from Israel and Palestine. The changes brought about by processes of globalisation to the production, circulation and reception of films around the world also shape contemporary cinema in Israel/Palestine to a considerable extent. Throughout the history of Palestinian cinema its production and exhibition contexts were distinctively transnational, while Israel’s small-scale national film industry increasingly shifts towards transnational modes of production. The survival and the recent success of Israeli cinema, both internationally and domestically, is largely dependent upon co-production agreements, the involvement of European funders, and the global festival circuit. Despite this prominent trend, only a few recent publications address Israeli cinema from a transnational perspective.ii This short article follows in a similar vain. It offers a critical discussion of the acclaimed documentary 5 Broken Cameras (Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi, Israel/Palestine/France/Netherland, 2011), whose joint Palestinian-Israeli direction and transnational context of production, challenge the national boundaries of both Israeli and Palestinian cinemas while, at the same time, probelmatizing the notion of the transnational.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of Keffiyeh/Made in China
    Last name 1 Student name English 110 Instructor name Date Art that Dictates Rather than Imitates: An Analysis of Keffiyeh/Made in China The keffiyeh, a checkered black and white scarf worn about the head or neck, is a symbol of Palestinian resistance that dates back to the 1930’s Arab Revolution against British occupation, and it represents the current struggle of Palestinians to control their identity and future in the face of Israeli occupation of their lands (Kreibaum). Dalia Taha, a Palestinian playwright who grew up in Ramallah, a city in the Palestinian West Bank (Moss) uses this powerful symbol in the title of her experimental play Keffiyeh/Made in China. Taha notes, “Art always challenges power structures” (Moss), and she does precisely this in her play. Palestine has had a tumultuous history of occupation and conflict. During the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, Nakba occurred, where thousands of Palestinians were displaced to create Israel. Nakba is the Arabic word for catastrophe, and that is how it is remembered by Palestinians. Thousands of Palestinians continue to die in the Israel- Palestine conflict, and many fight for the right to assert their identity (B'Tselem). In her play Keffiyeh/Made in China, Taha captures this on-going tumultuous struggle by combining historical events with experimental literary structure in order to humanize and educate the world about the Palestinian suffering in the wake of their occupation and to create awareness and support for them lest they be forgotten entirely. In one of the play’s acts called “60 Seconds,” Taha presents a character about to die as the result of a gunshot wound to the face, and she uses the technique of blending fiction Last name 2 with reality to connect the audience more directly to the plight of the Palestinians.
    [Show full text]