Dune is Orientalist. Here's a FAQ about it.
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is dune really orientalist?
yes. -
what does that mean?
dune exoticizes west asia and recreates power dynamics inherent within western european/american engagement with west asia (the "middle east"). -
how does it do that?
read this article about it -
but the books subvert the white power dynamic later, does that still make them orientalist?
if it takes multiple books for a poc (esp asian person) to reach any critique of the fetishization of a white savior in an exotic desert land, it's still very orientalist and unpleasant for us to read. -
but dune 2021 is such a beautiful and awe-inspiring movie, how can it be bad?
I didn't say it was bad, I said it was orientalist. beautiful things can be orientalist (see: the rococco art movement) -
but isn't orientalism bad?
Yes it is. It's racism, which is bad. -
then why isn't dune bad if it's orientalist?
It's part of a trend. The trend is bad. Dune as a single story doesn't have to be bad. -
if dune is orientalist, am I racist for enjoying dune? Am I a bad person? Should I hate it instead?
You can enjoy whatever you like. If you're aware of its orientalism and can turn a critical eye to these elements, that will help overcome your intrinsic racist biases (everyone has internalized racist biases, actually). I don't think that enjoying something inherently makes you bad. -
I don't see the orientalism, you're making a big deal out of nothing (I am not asian)
This reaction does make you bad actually. -
where can I learn more about orientalism?
Look at edward said's book orientalism, or look up "orientalism" on google, as said's book is pretty dense. I have a series on orientalism on my blog but it's not finished (and is aimed at east asian orientalism).