The TV Arab

By Jack G. Shaheen. Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1984. 146 pp. $14.95 (cloth), $6.95 (paper).

Reviewed by Eric Hooglund

American television viewers sometimes see "Arab characters" in one of their favorite programs. Inevitably, the Arabs are depicted as "bad guys" trying to harm or trick the hero or heroine. This negative portrayal, according to Professor Jack Shaheen of the University of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, is not balanced by the presentation of any positive Arab characters. Indeed, no other ethnic group is the subject of such uniformly unflattering stereotyping on television. The unfortunate consequence is that television-fostered myths about Arabs become the distorted perception of what Arabs are like to millions of Americans.

Between 1975-76 and 1983-84, Dr. Shaheen examined more than 100 different television shows featuring an Arab character to document the TV image of Arabs. The results of his research, summarized in The TV Arab, demonstrate how pervasive and persistent are the negative stereotypes of Arabs. He found that television's depiction of Arabs relies upon "four basic myths:" Arabs "are all fabulously wealthy; they are barbaric and uncultured; they are sex maniacs with a penchant for white slavery; they revel in acts of terrorism." It is also easy to recognize "TV Arabs" because they are always dressed oddly: In belly dancing costumes, headdresses "which look like tablecloths pinched from a restaurant," veils, gowns and robes, and sunglasses. In short, Arabs are portrayed as people who neither look nor act like Americans.

Cartoons & Educational TV: Equally Offensive

Dr. Shaheen found that the TV Arab is most commonly featured in entertainment programs. Children, for example, can watch their favorite cartoon characters outwit and/or vanquish animated versions of the Arab stereotype. Thus, the Superfriends, Popeye, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Scooby-Doo, and other well-known cartoon heroes all contribute to instilling negative images of Arabs in young minds—images that are reinforced by the more "realistic" adult-centered programs. Unfortunately, even educational programs for children can help perpetuate stereotypes. "The Electric Company," for instance, has used the villainous Arab motif in the character of Spellbinder, a turbaned magician whose appearances are preceded and accompanied by Arabic music.

Episodes of the popular detective and police programs also have relied upon the TV Arabs for constructing plots. These shows have projected some of the most negative aspects of the Arab stereotype: Arabs are all billionaires, belly dancers or terrorist bombers. Less noxious, but equally stereotypical Arabs have abounded in the comedy programs. Indeed, Dr. Shaheen believes that humor at the expense of Arabs has been so pervasive on television that "The comedy of the Seventies and Eighties might well be dubbed the era of the Arab joke." In all the comedies involving Arabs, the Arabs are depicted "as objects to be mocked."

While the image of Arabs presented in entertainment programs has been uniformly negative, Dr. Shaheen found that recent television documentaries have attempted to present a more accurate portrayal of Arabs. It has been difficult, however, for TV producers to accept that the TV Arab is a stereotype and, thus, even serious programs which are replete with stereotypes are not recognized as being distorted. This was especially true of the British docu-drama "Death of a Princess," which aired on PBS stations in 1980 and was represented as an authentic glimpse into Saudi culture, when in actuality it was a mixture of fact and fiction. Nevertheless, both commercial and public television have telecast a few genuine documentaries which have been notable efforts to depict Arabs as people with feelings, concerns, and problems similar to those of any other ethnic group.

Trying to Sensitize the TV Industry

While the main focus of The TV Arab is a review of the Arab image as presented on television, throughout the book Dr. Shaheen describes his efforts to meet with program producers and others in the television industry to sensitize them both to the prevalence and harmful consequences of the Arab stereotype. The author believes not only that the negative and inaccurate images should be eliminated from programs but, equally important, that there be conscientious efforts to feature positive Arab characters on television. One very easy way to do this, Dr. Shaheen says, would be to incorporate Arab American heroes and heroines into popular shows. In some cases this would mean simply encouraging stars such as Jamie Farr and Vic Tayback to acknowledge their Arab ethnic heritage during several episodes. These seemingly easy changes have not taken place, however, due to the persistence of the Arab stereotype itself and the perception of television people that there really are not many viewers who are concerned about the TV Arab. Thus, the most important lesson that readers can take from The TV Arab is to follow Dr. Shaheen's own admirable example and inform the networks that there are thousands of Americans who are offended by the television image of Arabs and who would welcome more accurate and more humane depictions.

Eric Hooglund is Director of Research at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).