On Images...

Said, Pratt and Dussel all challenged different ideas and concepts in their pieces. Pratt wrote from a modern understanding and analyzed past representations of historical documents and recognized the need for autoenthnographic texts in popularized history. While Dussel analyzed the structures in which history was written (imperialism, colonizations, etc) and why these Eurocentric historical texts and ideas emerged and why they emerged so prominently. Lastly, Said demonstrated the need for autoenthnographic texts by actually creating one refuting the ideas of orientalism.

The scientific drawing presented in Set 1, represent ideas of Darwinism, orentialism, eurocentrism and much more. The first image depicts genealogy of the dominant Eurocentric race to their counterparts (Negro and Irish Iberian). The claim this image is depicting is that Irish Iberian and Negro races are both derived from Africa due to their similar facial structures and bone structure. The caption below the picture clearly defines this claim. The center of the image depicts an Anglo-Tuetonic (this person features and bone structures reflect those of the European – Anglo race). The purpose of this image is to give scientific evidence for the separation of the Anglo-race from those that originated in Africa (Negro and Irish Iberian).

The second and third images are making a claim for Darwinism; the idea that Negros are the lesser developed products of evolution and are closely related or cousins to the Ape species. The claim is being argued from the scientific perspective that the shape and structure of the skull of the Negro race is the connecting evolutionary stage (“species”) between the ape and the Anglo man. These two pictures are a clear depiction of how eurocentrism and imperialism work together. Eurocentric views (dominant culture) are being imposed on other cultures through texts and historical images.

The last two images most reflect the ideas that Said presented in his autoenthnographic text, “On Orientalism.” My understanding of orientalism from Said documentary is when a group of people or cultures have a pre-conceived notion about other cultures. Many times these stereo types are derived from historical misrepresentations published and promoted by Eurocentric views. For many years these were the only views represented and taught throughout history. These imperialistic views were taught and imposed on non-western cultures and peoples. The last two images make a clear distinction between animals and Negro and Middle Eastern races. Said mentions in his documentary that the image Eurocentric historical views have depicted the Middle Eastern as a mysterious people who live in mysterious places in a very barbaric fashion. In both of these images the Middle Eastern and the Negro are showed with accentuated ape-like facial features. The Middle Eastern people are depicted as mysterious hooded people that are very dark in color. There facial expressions are less inviting and more intimidating then their Anglo counterparts.

It is because of historical texts and images that Pratt references to the need to ethnographic texts. These Eurocentric images have been accepted throughout history. Pratt is calling for a rebuttal to these misrepresentations. She is calling for text, like Said’s, that create a new image of cultures from the members of those cultures. In order to present and accurate representation of history all perspectives are needed and must be represented. Pratt, Said and Dusell are all calling for the equal representations of all cultures both from academic and experiential perspectives. Many of these texts for forced on cultures due to imperialism and colonization that led to acculturation and eventually assimilation. It is necessary to have the perspective of the dominant class as well as the mis-represented culture to have an accurate depiction of history. The text presented in Set 1 were only reflective of the dominant culture and how they viewed other cultures; they were an inaccurate representation and only with text and images like those shown in Said’s text and images “On Orientalism” could a true representation ever be accomplished.