An Interview with Dr. Jack Shaheen on Arab and Muslim Stereotypes Over the Last Four Decades

Dr. Jack Shaheen has been studying representations of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. media since the 1970s. Dr. Jack Shaheen is renowned worldwide for his lectures and published work, which illustrate the damaging consequences of stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims. Over the last four decades, Shaheen has collected and analyzed materials that depict Arabs and Muslims as the “godless cultural other.” He has created an archive of materials that is housed at the New York University library. He is best known for his book, Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (2001) and the documentary film of the same name (2006). Rather than giving a formal talk, we plan for a Q&A format in which Evelyn Alsultany, Director of Arab and Muslim American Studies, will interview Jack Shaheen about his experiences researching representations of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. over the last four decades. The objective is to tap into his long experience in documenting media images and their connections to anti-Arab and anti-Muslim policies and perceptions.

Reception to follow lecture.