Real-world conflict makes Hollywood Muslim stereotypes seem more credible to audiences

Evidence

Rules of Engagement reveals the enduring strength and persistence of the stereotype of violent, hateful Muslims dedicated to destroying the United States and the West. The movie “works” even without the 9/11 worldview. But after 9/11, the damage inflicted by such stereotypes is much greater. Shaheen notes that during times of war and armed conflict, this sort of stereotyping meets little resistance. Western audiences see these disparaging characterizations as confirming the reasons for real-world events such as the destruction of the World Trade Center or the Pentagon. Put simply, movies with Muslim and Arab villains seem even more realistic after 9/11 because of the assumption that Muslims are our real-world enemies who attacked us on 9/11 and with whom we are at war in Afghanistan and Iraq. — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 544

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Media framing constructs the reality audiences accept about Islam. — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 497; Post-war Middle East events made violence central to US Muslim depictions — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 521; Islamophobic tropes become real violence through perceived enemy images (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Islamophobic tropes become real violence through perceived enemy images #corroborates (0.50)