Arab-American Women's Writing and Performance: Orientalism, Race and the Idea of the Arabian Nights (International Library of Cultural Studies Book 19)

The public image of Arabs in America has been radically affected by the 'war on terror'. But stereotypes of Arabs, manifested for instance in Orientalist representations of Sheherazade and the Arabian Nights in Hollywood, have prevailed for much longer. Here Somaya Sabry argues that the Arab-American experience has been powerfully shaped by racial discourse and Orientalism, and is further complicated today by hostility towards Arabs in post-9/11 America. She shows how Arab-American women writers and performers confront and subvert racial stereotypes in this charged context by recasting representations of Sheherazade. Shedding new light on Arab-American women's negotiations of identity, this book will be indispensable for all those interested in the Arab-American world, American ethnic studies and race, as well as diaspora studies, women's studies, literature, cultural studies and performance studies. The Public Image Of Arabs In America Has Been Radically Affected By The 'war On Terror'. But Stereotypes Of Arabs, Manifested For Instance In Orientalist Representations Of Sheherazade And The Arabian Nights In Hollywood And American Popular Culture, Have Prevailed For Much Longer. Here Somaya Sami Sabry Traces The Powerful Effects Of Racial Discourse And Nineteenth-and Twentieth-century American Orientalism On The Arab-american Experience, Setting The Stage For A Discussion Of Contemporary Arab-american Women's Responses. She Shows How Arab-american Women Writers And Performers Confront And Subvert Racial Stereotypes In This Charged Context, Which Is Further Complicated Today By Hostility Towards Arabs In Post-9/11 America. Sheherazade In The West: 'sheherazadian Narrative' As A Dihliz In The Diaspora Why Recast Her In The West? Sheherazade And Race Cooking Sheherazade's America: Tasting Arab-american Women's Diasporic Narratives In Diana Abu-jaber's Crescent 'fabricating' Affiliation: Fashioning Scarves In Muslim-american Women's Diasporic Experiences Diasporic Articulations: Performing 'sheherazadian Orality' Arab-american Literature, Performance And The Future Somaya Sami Sabry. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [189]-200) And Index.