For my 19th century art class we had to read large excerpts from Edward Saïd’s Orientalism. It was very interesting and addressed issues I had never even thought about. The study argues that Western society derives an inaccurate view of Eastern society because the perspective we have is so ingrown in our minds we can’t escape it. It focused on the fact that Westerners know what is best, because we have been educated and “cultured” – unlike the “orientals.”
This point hit home for me when thinking back on my mother’s trip to Egypt. She told me about going to a museum with ancient Egyptian artifacts where the glass was missing from the display cases, the descriptions of the objects were hand written on note cards, and the facility lacked air conditioning. The next year she and I went to the British Museum in London (where I found my passion for art history) and she commented that she was glad that the British had mummies and ancient Egyptian artifacts because they would take better care of them than the Egyptians would.
Her point was that the Westerners knew how to better preserve and knew the greater value of the objects than the Egyptians themselves. Is this true? And even if it is, do Westerners have the right to take them? Or is it their duty to protect them?
Well… other than my endless reading assignments, I have been doing laundry and looking over my Spanish book today. (Fun, I know)
Sarah
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