PHONE: (313) 593-5644
DATE: Feb. 7, 2006
Jack Shaheen to discuss ethnic stereotypes in Hollywood films
DEARBORN---Author and media critic Jack Shaheen will visit the University
of Michigan-Dearborn as part of the Center
for Arab and Arab American Studies program "Hollywood's Arabs
and Muslims after 9/11: Images as Lesson Plans, Teaching Us Whom to Love,
Whom to Hate" beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Lecture
Hall B of the campus's Social Sciences Building.
The program, which is free and open to the public, will feature a film,
a lecture by Shaheen, a panel discussion and a reception and book signing.
The evening kicks off with the film Casting Calls, a Discovery
Channel University program that explores the history of film's ethnic
"bad guy," looking at sociopolitical and economic forces that
create, perpetuate and rehabilitate these characters, with special attention
to current depictions of Muslims onscreen.
After the film, Shaheen will present "Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood
Vilifies a People" at 7:30 p.m. His talk will offer insights on stereotypic
images of Bedouin bandits, submissive maidens, sinister sheikhs and gun-wielding
evil Arab "terrorists." Shaheen will explain why these stereotypes
persist and discuss the impact on people, opinion and policy.
Shaheen serves as a film consultant to companies such as DreamWorks SKG,
Warner Bros. Studios, Hanna-Barbera Productions and the Showtime network.
Following his lecture, Shaheen will participate in a panel discussion
with UM-Dearborn faculty members and Arab American filmmakers. A reception
and book signing will follow at 9 p.m.
Funding for the event is provided by Ned Fawaz of Energy International;
a Diversity Challenge Grant from the Office of the Provost, UM-Dearborn;
and a Distinguished Faculty and Graduate Student Seminar Grant from the
Office of the Vice President for Research at U-M Ann Arbor.
For more information, contact the Center
for Arab American Studies at (313) 583-6334 or caasumd@umd.umich.edu.
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The University of Michigan-Dearborn does not necessarily endorse speakers’ views.
