Real Arabs

"And the same goes for Hollywood’s view of Arab women. The Arab woman today is bright, intelligent. She’s someone who is exceeding in all professions.

And yet this reality, still, is being denied us on silver screens. The highly sexualized belly dancer has been with us from the beginning of Hollywood’s history. Inspired by early images of the orient, as the place of exoticism, intrigue and passion.

But in recent years, this image has dramatically changed. The Arab woman is now projected as a bomber, a terrorist. Added to this image is what I call “bundles in black” – veiled women, in the background, in the shadows - submissive. It seems the more Arab women advance, the more Hollywood keeps them locked in the past."
Reel Bad Arabs, Jack Shaheen.