"Besieged by 'Friends'" by Heather Havrilesky

How do we as Americans perceive the people of the Middle East after 9/11 and what influences have built up those images that exist in our minds? In the article "Besieged by 'Friends'" by Heather Havrilesky, Havrilesky explains how American films and television shows have portrayed Middle Eastern people to be "angry terrorists running around, looking for stuff to blow up." However, if America was defined by all the violent people that hurt others, what image would the average American be portrayed as? We as Americans, says Heather, should not judge every Arab as being violent, for there are good and bad in every country. Charles C. Stuart's documentary "Hollywood in the Muslim World" shows how Arabs are becoming very angered over the images that the American movies and television are sending out to not only America, but other areas such as Egypt, Lebanon, Cairo, and Qatar. Arabs are classifying this Hollywood influence as a "cultural pollution" that is spreading all across the Middle East. Children continually want to go to American fast food joints, such as McDonalds, and places like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks are becoming more popular. The reason for this rise is due to the influence of the American television shows. Heather states that American shows, such as "Friends", "Will & Grace", and "Sex and the City" are also continually being shown. Heather recalls that when Charles Stuart was interviewing Middle Eastern children, in regards to their favorite television show, Stuart received an angry response by an adult spectator, because he had thought that the interviewer was trying to persuade children in the Middle East to watch more American shows. Several other Arabs felt the same way about the situation of the American influence from television. For example, when World War II had occurred and the attack of Pearl Harbor, several American films portrayed Japanese fighters as being the "bad guys," and there was an increase in hate towards Japanese Americans. The author includes this example in order to prove that a similar fear is arising amongst the Middle Eastern people. For will they be the next Japanese? To Arabs this is a "War of Propaganda" that has taken over the "cultural identity." They are tired of turning on the television and seeing another American show insulting their background. How much is it to ask to have their own culture described on their own TV? Why does Hollywood have to invade another country where it is not welcome?
Throughout this article, Heather Havrilesky tries to make people aware of the influence that the television can have on a country. This country that once had its own perspective culture, now does not. I believe the American television sometimes is a bit bias towards other cultures. Many times they perceive, other people including Arabs, as being a violent figure. They also not only destruct the culture of countries, but Hollywood causes average Americans to feel as if they are not worthy enough in society, whether it maybe that their body is to voluptuous, or that their morals are offset. We as a society should not build our images of other countries from the television. Every country is filled with a sense of beauty, that makes it so special in its very own way.
By using Middle Eastern stereotypes, Havrilesky captures the readers' attention quickly. Though her ideas may be a little extreme, her thesis is clearly understood. In the body, Heather references material from Charles C. Stuart's documentary "Hollywood in the Muslim World" in order to provide supporting evidence to support her thesis that the Middle Eastern culture is being negatively influenced by American shows and movies. The image of an Arab, as portrayed by Americans , is one of violence and cruelty. Heather concludes by saying that "the cultural identity of Arabs have been taken hostage," which means that the Arabic are no longer deciding what culture their children should practice.
Heather's article increases the awareness of how other cultures are sometimes misrepresented in movies and television shows. Though a wrong message is sometimes unintentionally delivered, most of the time American television producers are aware of what they are putting on the television, but still they do not care. It is not until disruption occurs, do they try to cover up their mistake.
As Americans, and any other culture, the best away to avoid negative influences is to completely avoid television, therefore the TV is unable to affect your perspective about other cultures.