The stereotyping of muslims was disturbing, but the part of the show that really bothered me and turned me against it was the episode of the Drone Queen. The casual bombing of the marriage party causing so many deaths of innocent people, done in such a remorseless fashion by the Claire Danes character, left me speechless... and wondering where all this was taking us as a country. I still am watching the show, albeit in a somewhat detached fashion... with much loathing for Carrie Mathison and her organization... I really couldn't care less if the show ended with a meteor obliterating that whole operation.
4
The three artists - Amin, Kapp and Stone - have taken the show's alleged stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims to heart. It was their right to air their "political discontent" with the producers of Showtime's series, "Homeland".
It's true that the show is a load of rubbish - nothing but shallow and misguided interpretations of Muslim world. Yet it is part of freedom of expression in arts and entertainment. The series arouses emotions among Muslims, but it also provides for "a stimulus for conversation" and soul searching, without which a society wouldn't be able to move forward.
It's true that the show is a load of rubbish - nothing but shallow and misguided interpretations of Muslim world. Yet it is part of freedom of expression in arts and entertainment. The series arouses emotions among Muslims, but it also provides for "a stimulus for conversation" and soul searching, without which a society wouldn't be able to move forward.
2
The first three seasons of Homeland on the Brody plot was engaging. But season 4 was just very weak and lame, with an inept and highly ineffective Carrie that's all over the place but achieved nothing (yes, absolutely nothing), and a contrived romance plot between Carrie and Quinn that was so forced it's painful to watch. And season 5? Who cares about season 5. I labored through season 4, and have no interests in season 5. Carrie is done.
1
I understand that people want to vent their frustrations. But I think this is outrageous way to do it, on a professional level. These people were HIRED and PAID to do a job, a big job.. and they were sneaky and false about what they were doing. And further still they are really proud of themselves for tricking the production crew into using the graffiti (why wouldn't they use it? They trusted them to do the job!). If you have a point to make, this is not the way to do it. They should have refused and made it clear why. Homeland could have just hired an American Graffiti artist and made it less authentic, but instead they searched out the real thing, only for it to be used against them. All this has done is make it less likely for Production people to hire the authentic people they need, and stick with Americans that can google it and graffiti it themselves. Nice one.
3
Next time write on the walls in Arabic; ISIS: Stop Beheading innocent men woman and children, Stop raping women, Stop the crucifixions of minorities who choose not to convert to Islam.
7
Here’s more evidence that the followers of Muhammed suffer from low self-esteem. Self-respecting artists would refuse to accept money from the producer of a television series that they abhor. They would spit in the face of their “oppressor” when offered a job, then arrange for a boycott of the show. Instead, these so-called artists smiled, accepted payment, then broke their contracts. Their behavior is the same as that of Muslims strapped with bombs who smile as they prepare to detonate.
3
It's a shame these brave "street artists" who took the money and did the reverse of what they were contracted for, in effect theft, aren't as alarmed by the horrific image of Arabs and Islam created by Muslims everyday, from Sa'ana to Algiers to lower Manhattan. Where ever there are Arabs there is war, only the rhetoric changes. Always the victim, always the victimizer.
4
I'm a fan of this TV SHOW; it does what successful TV SHOWS usually do: dramatizes contrived situations that feel plausible. It's not real. Anyone who watches the show and comes away thinking it only dumps on Muslims is not paying attention. The American government and defense contractors and corporations get similar treatment in the show's scripts. It does speak to some failing on the part of the producers, though, that no one on set who could read Arabic, if there were any, came forward to tell them of the content.
There's a larger problem here and it's called REAL LIFE, you know, actual things that we experience. The experience of Germany in the 1930's teaches us that the "moderate majority" of any culture can't sit passively on the sidelines while their society descends into hatred and intolerance. Many of us are exasperated at the chaos and oppression of so much of the Islamic world; it's not hatred. It's clear that moderate Muslims do not feel empowered in their countries of origin or in their adopted homelands in Europe and North America.
I do get impatient when people endlessly remind us that most Muslims are moderate because they have very little impact in places where it is so desperately needed. Moderate Muslims need to start protesting immoderately against the ignorance and intolerance rampant in so many Islamic countries.
There's a larger problem here and it's called REAL LIFE, you know, actual things that we experience. The experience of Germany in the 1930's teaches us that the "moderate majority" of any culture can't sit passively on the sidelines while their society descends into hatred and intolerance. Many of us are exasperated at the chaos and oppression of so much of the Islamic world; it's not hatred. It's clear that moderate Muslims do not feel empowered in their countries of origin or in their adopted homelands in Europe and North America.
I do get impatient when people endlessly remind us that most Muslims are moderate because they have very little impact in places where it is so desperately needed. Moderate Muslims need to start protesting immoderately against the ignorance and intolerance rampant in so many Islamic countries.
3
Fantastic example of subversive art, there should be more of it! In Germany, where I live, there is also an interesting subversive art project about the figure of Lenin: www.leninisstillaround.com Art is not only entertainment, it should invite us to reflexion.
1
Unfortunately, series like this are the primarily source of cultural information for a vast number of people forgetful of the fact that they're watching pure fictional entertainment. Understandably so, if one believes in the power of subminal messages.
In studying film in international history we are indubitably studying film as international history, one of my professors said. Hollywood and later on TV productions became promoters of national and international geocultural/geopolitical ambitions. Over and over again we see movies constructed under the idea of what is to be American, and in addressing that question movies so very often define it in opposition to the un-American, the other, the villan, exploiting, exaggerating, and generalizing cultural/political differences between the two. One thing is sure, the American must prevail. In the history of Hollywood, villains coincide with the American declared ennemies: we have the cruel japanesse soldier, the skeemy russian, the strong independent woman (especially after the WW2), the barbaric, bloody, scalp-taker Indian, the black rapist, and so on and so forth. Fashionable now is the Arab terrorist...
We can do better than that.
Kudos to the graffity artists
In studying film in international history we are indubitably studying film as international history, one of my professors said. Hollywood and later on TV productions became promoters of national and international geocultural/geopolitical ambitions. Over and over again we see movies constructed under the idea of what is to be American, and in addressing that question movies so very often define it in opposition to the un-American, the other, the villan, exploiting, exaggerating, and generalizing cultural/political differences between the two. One thing is sure, the American must prevail. In the history of Hollywood, villains coincide with the American declared ennemies: we have the cruel japanesse soldier, the skeemy russian, the strong independent woman (especially after the WW2), the barbaric, bloody, scalp-taker Indian, the black rapist, and so on and so forth. Fashionable now is the Arab terrorist...
We can do better than that.
Kudos to the graffity artists
2
It's sad how we view these murderers, beheaders, absolute authoritarians, and terrorists. They are good, just misunderstood. NOT!
4
So ironic. Where is their protest on the ethnic cleansing of Christians in the Middle East? Where is their protest on blasphemy laws that stifle human expression that are prevalent in the Muslim majority countries? Where is their protest for human dignity of women and gays in the culture that Islam promotes. The problem is not the West's perception of Islam. The problem is the abhorrent construct of Islamic ideology and social/political policy as it exists in the world today. And before some intellectually superior NYT reader takes umbrage with my comments, I suggest that you spend as much time as I have in places like Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE (and these are the "moderate" ones) to name a few. Homeland does a fairly accurate portrayal.
8
Seeing these writings on the wall made me and quite a few others laugh out loud.
I assumed that this was supposed to be fun and nothing else.
Anyone who would take this pure fictitious product any more serious than e.g. the "Batman Series" of the 1960s is simply putting too much into a TV show.
Sorry, but as someone who has been doing business in the region and speaks Arabic, will not ever be able to take this series as anything more than what it is, a work of fiction with the purpose of entertaining an audience.
"Homeland" is not racist, it is simply a TV series that is based on uneducated guesses of a region that is not even understood by US politics.
So why should the makers of a purely fictional series understand the region.
Just watch any US mainstream TV news broadcast and you will find even more such hilarious mistakes.
No, Iran would never support a Sunni terrorist group and no, Tehran is a much nicer place than portrayed in the series and no, neither does real life Berlin look this much like Berlin in the series, nor does Syria look like the abandoned feed stock factory in Rüdelsheim in which it was filmed.
Only difference between the series and US politics is that the makers of the series do not kill people just because they can.
Any kill in the series ends with wiping off the fake blood and a pay check for a scene well done while in real life real deaths occur.
So keel cool and if you don't like it, don't watch it.
I assumed that this was supposed to be fun and nothing else.
Anyone who would take this pure fictitious product any more serious than e.g. the "Batman Series" of the 1960s is simply putting too much into a TV show.
Sorry, but as someone who has been doing business in the region and speaks Arabic, will not ever be able to take this series as anything more than what it is, a work of fiction with the purpose of entertaining an audience.
"Homeland" is not racist, it is simply a TV series that is based on uneducated guesses of a region that is not even understood by US politics.
So why should the makers of a purely fictional series understand the region.
Just watch any US mainstream TV news broadcast and you will find even more such hilarious mistakes.
No, Iran would never support a Sunni terrorist group and no, Tehran is a much nicer place than portrayed in the series and no, neither does real life Berlin look this much like Berlin in the series, nor does Syria look like the abandoned feed stock factory in Rüdelsheim in which it was filmed.
Only difference between the series and US politics is that the makers of the series do not kill people just because they can.
Any kill in the series ends with wiping off the fake blood and a pay check for a scene well done while in real life real deaths occur.
So keel cool and if you don't like it, don't watch it.
Considering Bush's "crusade," Obama's regime change, Russia's assistance to Syria, China's Uighurs, and Israel's rule of Palestinains, I'm glad I'm not an Arab or Muslim in this century.
Considering the repressive religious culture, the mistreatment of women, the antipathy toward modern values like liberty, the constant terrorism, and so forth, I'm sure glad I'm not an Arab or Muslim either.
I mean, I'd be fine with being an American Muslim, the type I've known many of who don't take their religion at all seriously, and believe in women's equality and such. But I'd rather be born dead than have been born in Syria.
I mean, I'd be fine with being an American Muslim, the type I've known many of who don't take their religion at all seriously, and believe in women's equality and such. But I'd rather be born dead than have been born in Syria.
4
Hey...wait a minute. Is this another attempt to get this series, which is pretty good, complex and nuanced, and these two artists, some free publicity? :)) Come on guys admit it.
This show, at least what my wife and I watched of it two years ago, was very good, and the main character (an agent) has actually converted to Islam and helps Muslims. The intrigue in that show is not knowing who are the good guys and who are the bad ones. The bureaucrats in Washington appear like devils, and some of the agents their pawns. It was quite brilliant. Acting was superb. I have not seen it in the last two years...maybe it has changed.
I just think this is a publicity stunt for Homeland and the artists. Admit it guys.
This show, at least what my wife and I watched of it two years ago, was very good, and the main character (an agent) has actually converted to Islam and helps Muslims. The intrigue in that show is not knowing who are the good guys and who are the bad ones. The bureaucrats in Washington appear like devils, and some of the agents their pawns. It was quite brilliant. Acting was superb. I have not seen it in the last two years...maybe it has changed.
I just think this is a publicity stunt for Homeland and the artists. Admit it guys.
Sooo...
The Wire was racist against blacks?
Narcos was racist against Colombians?
Sopranos was racist against Italians?
Shall I go on? Get over yourself.
The Wire was racist against blacks?
Narcos was racist against Colombians?
Sopranos was racist against Italians?
Shall I go on? Get over yourself.
5
very novel idea:
regardless of your viewpoint or opinion, use language to convince people, rather than violence.
bravo.
regardless of your viewpoint or opinion, use language to convince people, rather than violence.
bravo.
Graffiti? Now here is a solution! Furthermore, Islam is not a race, just another dangerous Abrahmic religion.
4
Knee-slapping laughter...Charlie Hebdo.
Fortunately they were not writing anti-Muslim messages in the Middle East - their heads would be on display in the public square. Instead here I can applaud their subversive defiance of Hollywood dictators.
Fortunately they were not writing anti-Muslim messages in the Middle East - their heads would be on display in the public square. Instead here I can applaud their subversive defiance of Hollywood dictators.
6
Is there Muslim violence? Yes- done in the name of the religion. "Moderates" in the Muslim community must step up to counteract this. Until then, the truth must be spoken.
2
I say bravo to the artists. I stopped watching "Homeland" a few seasons back when the racism really went off the charts. Why shouldn't the protesting artists be paid under these circumstances? Artists, teachers and other intellectuals are routinely critical of the institutions that pay them or provide support; that, too, is part of free expression. The fact that shows like "Homeland" are delivered into millions of homes worldwide makes the show very much unlike a typical private enterprise that hires an artist to do a job. The medium of television, even, or perhaps especially fictionalized drama, is far too often a univocal public forum whose message is stringently controlled. I'm happy to see some pushback. And I should add, the artists provided the service for which they were paid: they rendered non-political graffiti images in Arabic.
10
What we really have to worry about is steganography: insertion of hidden messages into the numerical codes that display digital still or video images. The pictures look normal, but if the code behind them is sifted by someone who knows what he's doing he can extract the hidden content. This is real, not paranoia. Check steganography in Wikipedia.
How is Homeland any different than The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Narcos, Call Saul, and I'll even throw in Sex and the City? I would say that most TV is chock-full of stereotypes. Good guys, bad guys.
2
The difference is Homeland purportedly deals with the War on Terror, which has dominated foreign policy for the past 14 years and doesn't seem likely to end with Obama. The Vietnam War didn't last as long as our involvement in Afghanistan or as long as the chaos in Iraq. And certainly the problem didn't spread across borders as happened with Iraq and Syria.
A better understanding of the Middle East and our policy in relation to it by the American public might be helpful in figuring out some good ideas after all this time.
A better understanding of the Middle East and our policy in relation to it by the American public might be helpful in figuring out some good ideas after all this time.
Gee, they accepted money from Americans than performed an act of terrorism. Wow.
2
An act of vandalism actually. Nobody was killed, hurt, or made to feel fearful.
1
Homeland is as racist and insulting in its portrayal of Muslims as the Sopranos was of Italian Americans.
1
To expect differently from Hollywood is unrealistic, especially when it comes to the Muslim and the Arab world. Look around you and you will find it.
Interesting lapse in the showrunner's attention to detail, but a small lapse for such a great series.
And, the radical Muslims in that area (and that's the evidently substantial population segment we're talking about) are all such wonderful, peaceful people! They wanted to have the proverbial baby, so now push the baby carriage.
And, the radical Muslims in that area (and that's the evidently substantial population segment we're talking about) are all such wonderful, peaceful people! They wanted to have the proverbial baby, so now push the baby carriage.
I don't watch homeland cause the reality of the situation is enough for me..... this show is making money of real folks misery......I applaud this artists. This is a very good example of art imitating art imitating life.
1
the best crime and spy fiction depict the insanity of the worlds of the characters, their moral failings and inconsistencies, and their Being-at-war mentality, their fanatical single-mindedness, etc. and occasional acts of integrity for contrast. These are stories about people caught up in this crazy world and that is why viewers watch them, not because of inaccurate portrayals of this and that. Humanizing all the characters, Muslim or not could be done better, but I wonder if the present perspectives of Muslims about Americans play some role in how they judge this show. What both sides really need is greater awareness of and about each other, and the relative lack of importance of a TV series in good international relations.
1
If the creators of show stereotyped African-Americans or Jews in the same way it does Arabs and Muslims, the show would never see the light of day.
5
no doubt the show has been careless in its framing of plot issues, political/historical accuracy aside it's been an essentially unwatchable melange of tired action-series cliches, but there is no need to worry about exposure by graffiti on the sets, miss danes
scenery chewing performance need only be aimed as required.
scenery chewing performance need only be aimed as required.
Peter Quinn is the CIA's cold-blooded hired killer. Some CIA people might be offended by that. You can take any of these characters on Homeland and find character flaws or unpleasant behaviors that could offend someone. And yet these characters are very compelling. That's what makes the show dramatic.
Don't worry Ms. Amin. The Muslim world has been giving everyone plenty of facts so that we can learn to differentiate between "fact and fiction".
2
The very fact that the producers did not understand the meaning of the graffiti surely in itself underscores their disconnect from local culture and thus that the graffiti, on some level, is 100% true.
22
So producers are supposed to read Arabic? Maybe a second opinion from someone trusted who can read Arabic would have been helpful.
1
How does that work? Are we supposed to speak and write Arabic now? It might be a lack of scholarship or common sense or poor supervision -- or on the flip side, trust of employees, contractors who violated it -- but not speaking a language hardly makes one racist.
2
Uh, what local culture? Isn't it an American show?
I find it ironic that the artists were willing to be paid for their critical participation on the show and did not voice their protest in other social media forums until now, after the episode in question was aired.
No one, least of all the creators of the series, could possibly dispute that there are many inaccuracies (some greater than others) in Homeland as a show, but then it has never posited itself as anything other than a fictional series. And even if it was not meant to be a fiction, since when do we, a culture that supports the freedom of speech and expression, demand that one view of history trump every other?
No one, least of all the creators of the series, could possibly dispute that there are many inaccuracies (some greater than others) in Homeland as a show, but then it has never posited itself as anything other than a fictional series. And even if it was not meant to be a fiction, since when do we, a culture that supports the freedom of speech and expression, demand that one view of history trump every other?
5
Fictional show with an agenda to demonize Iran by associating Al Qaeda with it.
6
There's no "agenda" except to make a successful TV show.
1
Because they think about what means will result in the greatest reach for their message. The show itself, the media that cover it will have an inherently larger total addressable market for their message than if they were to post on social media. Yoox's CEO said to Brunello Cucinelli, online does not have to be mass exposure; exclusivity is possible even online. By extension, obscurity is possible online. Twitter would be more preaching to the choir because very few of the watchers of Homeland would even know who they are much less follow them.
As to your second point about freedom of speech, that would make more sense if the predominant view of the Middle East by Americans wasn't already something along the lines of what's promoted by Homeland or 24 before it. The differing points of view have gotten very little traction.
As a reader of this paper, but presumably a watcher of this show, I wonder if you ever heard of the SOI? That is policy that I imagine would have made a lot of noise had the public or the pundits paid it attention.
As to your second point about freedom of speech, that would make more sense if the predominant view of the Middle East by Americans wasn't already something along the lines of what's promoted by Homeland or 24 before it. The differing points of view have gotten very little traction.
As a reader of this paper, but presumably a watcher of this show, I wonder if you ever heard of the SOI? That is policy that I imagine would have made a lot of noise had the public or the pundits paid it attention.
1
Well, it was originally an Israeli show, and it's made in Hollywood. Meets all expectations.
4
I do hope that these street artists,aggrieved by the "criminal" misrepresentation of parts of the Islamic world, use their talents with the same intensity and vigor against all such abhorrent injustices back home. Otherwise this selective outrage would seem a bit hypocritical as it is easier ,one would even say fashionable , to pile on Homeland - a soft target.If this outcry machine wants to live up to the ideals that they seem to profess , there some seriously deserving candidates back home on whom they could focus their attention instead of thriving for cheap publicity by defacing the sets of a TV series.
14
I have not seen the show but I did grow up going to the book stores, (Three Steps Down), the supermarket and toy emporium (Takla) and enjoying soft ice cream on... yes, HAMRA Street. Wonderful times. There are no doubt terrorists (I think we call them "freedom fighters" when they're on the CIA payroll, but anyhow) there are no doubt terrorists doing business in such a large Arab city, as Beirut, but they most likely only go to Hamra Street for their shopping.
1
You expect "fair and balanced" from an American show playing to Americans' stupidity? Give me a break!
The US media can't even be "fair and balanced". How can one possibly expect an entertainment show to be fair and balanced? The sad thing is that Americans, with so little knowledge of the world, have so much power over it. This fact has led to egregious war crimes like the 2003 invasion of Iraq and America's hideous war in Vietnam.
Still I applaud the artists who were able to sneak into the show their criticisms. Perhaps they should have placed graffiti stating, "American foreign and military policy demonstrates the collective IQ of America is 10."
The US media can't even be "fair and balanced". How can one possibly expect an entertainment show to be fair and balanced? The sad thing is that Americans, with so little knowledge of the world, have so much power over it. This fact has led to egregious war crimes like the 2003 invasion of Iraq and America's hideous war in Vietnam.
Still I applaud the artists who were able to sneak into the show their criticisms. Perhaps they should have placed graffiti stating, "American foreign and military policy demonstrates the collective IQ of America is 10."
6
"Perhaps they should have placed graffiti stating, "American foreign and military policy demonstrates the collective IQ of America is 10.""
Maybe they weren't aiming to entertain 3rd graders, or didn't have the same gigantic chip on their shoulder you do.
Maybe they weren't aiming to entertain 3rd graders, or didn't have the same gigantic chip on their shoulder you do.
ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Taliban, Saddam (formerly), Assad, etc. know much, much more about the Middle East than we ever will. Clearly, understanding the region does not make for less atrocity because they've killed many more of their own people than we have. If we're comparing atrocities let's go down their best hits, shall we? On the U.S. side we've got: torturing captives, long incarceration, civilian casualties (less than theirs, but still), and yeah, we draw nasty cartoons sometimes. And the list for the Middle East's own bad actors: kidnapping, systemic mass raping, enslaving, gassing, immolating, beheading, and mutilating (genital and otherwise). That's not even mentioning the more mundane killing sprees in which they engage, almost EXCLUSIVELY targeting women and children, for no rational reason whatsoever. When has their collective knowledge of Middle Eastern life (which, again, dwarfs our own) ever done to stop them from slaughtering people in numbers and in WAYS that make U.S. actions pale by comparison?
1
Right on James Mc Kay!! Until the silent majority in the Arab world decides to start making noise and objecting loudly to their minority who are and have created great havoc, bombings etc, it is hard to take them seriously about such complaints as portrayal in a movie. Come on??!!
Sadly the impression of the average american is the silent muslim majority is in silent compliance with the extremists. Seriously this is a fact.
Sadly the impression of the average american is the silent muslim majority is in silent compliance with the extremists. Seriously this is a fact.
7
Having grown up as an Arab American, before there ever WAS such a thing as Militant Islam, and even though I am a Christian Arab American not Muslim,- I can tell you Americans ALWAYS saw Arabs as despicable primitives and savages. The racism absolutely predates Islamic fundamentalist violence.
7
Ory, for a deeper historical perspective I suggest you read up on the Barbary wars of the early 1800s.
I wonder if these three graffiti artists -- with the strong interest they've demonstrated in the intersection among politics, Islam, free speech and art -- are on record as also having protested the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
10
The first 3 seasons centered on a plot based on the US killing an innocent child and a US soldier being so upset about it he came to view the US as the enemy and this American set out to kill the vice president if I recall. The season previous to the current season made the US look atrocious. In it the US bombed a wedding for Pete's sake. It as a real mixed bag of good and bad characters on both sides. This article is just not accurate.
16
I wish progressive Muslims spent as much time protesting the current violence committed by Muslims against Muslims, Christians and Jews every single day as they did against the depiction of (a few specific) Muslim tv characters
as violent.
as violent.
22
We endured...err...watched the show during its first season until we developed an allergy to Claire Dane's version of acting (heavy breathing and a deer in the headlights look 24/7. Couldn't say much for the writing, the direction or the INTERMINABLE credits at the start of each episode. Every friend of ours I've spoken with simply...moved on to The Good Wife and Madame Secretary. As for insensitivity towards Muslims...I'm not surprised.
3
I have watched this series a few times and lost interest; partly because of the actors' histrionics, partly because of the idiotic plot lines and partly because of the ridiculous stereotyping of Muslims, and Arabs et al. I am not surprised at all that it certainly seems that there's no one on the series team that can read Arabic, nor seems to understand Islam and its nuances. I expect the analogy can be made that Homeland is as accurate as a series about cowboys and indians made in by non English speaking Saudi Arabians.
5
If you watched the show you know that everyone is a stereotype! It's a TV show, NOT a documentary.
1
When you have a bunch of people in blowing things up in the name of Allah, its hard not to jump to conclusions. The problem is what's happening in real life, not on the show. If anything the Muslims in the show are glamorized. The terrorists are always many steps ahead of the CIA — during the run of the show CIA Headquarters in DC was destroyed by a car bomb, a CIA station in the Mid East was infiltrated and over run, not to mention a fleet of black helicopters buzzing around DC...AND the Muslims not involved with Armageddon are sensitive and reasoned.
7
The artists should be blackballed in the industry. The show is not racist...it shows good and evil dimensions on both sides of the spectrum, and only in a place like the NYT - who sees racism EVERYWHERE, would this piece get the kind of fawning applause. There is evil in the world today...and much of it is perpetrated by people who are followers of radical, militant, Muslim fundamentalism. Those are the facts, and their accurate depiction in film and television does not alter them.
9
This kind of expression / dissent is refreshing; important issues ought to be discussed exhaustively, regardless if we agree.
Of course, the real answer is that Homeland viewers who cannot adequately think for themselves or have an inaccurate, dishonest perspective may be influenced negatively. Most viewers, however, can think for themselves and are not so easily-manipulated, especially with regard so such an important matter / Issue.
Whose thinking and beliefs are truly so easily manipulated that a TV Series could influence them? That is the key to the Merits of this entire argument - it's the type of argument that says "This Show would never, ever fool or manipulate Me! But it could manipulate those who are intellectually Inferior to me! That is the danger here..."
Of course, the real answer is that Homeland viewers who cannot adequately think for themselves or have an inaccurate, dishonest perspective may be influenced negatively. Most viewers, however, can think for themselves and are not so easily-manipulated, especially with regard so such an important matter / Issue.
Whose thinking and beliefs are truly so easily manipulated that a TV Series could influence them? That is the key to the Merits of this entire argument - it's the type of argument that says "This Show would never, ever fool or manipulate Me! But it could manipulate those who are intellectually Inferior to me! That is the danger here..."
2
Like many television shows that are exceedingly popular in the U.S., this show's depiction of the "other" is biased and inaccurate. I choose not to watch this show and others that insensitively fictionalize and sensationalize tragic situations in which too many real human beings suffer and die. As long as the viewers' appetite for thrilling entertainment is satisfied and those associated with the shows make the money necessary to support their extravagant lifestyles, I guess it doesn't matter if these productions become the basis for American misunderstanding of current problems and events both at home and abroad.
1
Iran or any other country can create a show where their villains are American bankers or Conservative Christians or whomever; it's all meant to be entertainment. It's only TV.
The creators of this show can't read the writing on the wall. That tells me all I need to know.
6
If you work on a show such as this you might understand that there are a million other concerns that are more important, than not being able to read the graffiti.
1
As well as the writings in the papers and on Twitter and Facebook calling for worldwide
JIHAD. Hmm??
JIHAD. Hmm??
2
Remember, it's a tv show. If you don't like it, don't watch. I personally find it fascinating and entertaining.
8
Any suggestion of racism in any artistic creation misses the fundamental point. The author should have absolute freedom to depict whatever they choose however they choose.That is the essence of free expression.If you find it contains material you find offensive simply turn it off or don't look at it. When individuals attempt to make their subjective value system universal they threaten the very essence of artistic expression. Religious fundamentalists in any religion have a value system they believe to be universal. That makes them the mortal enemy of artistic and intellectual expression.
9
Exactly! Perhaps people who work at the CIA might find the portrayal of the Head of the CIA to be exaggerated or inauthentic. Or people suffering from Bi-polar disorder might find Carrie's portrayal false.
It's a show. Come on. Is Superman real? Can he be real? No. Grow up people. Its not real. Homeland is fiction. Whoever support this nonsensical action against the show is also tacitly supporting killing of the Dutch film-maker. Both are attempts to silence free speech.
No, I'd like whoever was responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They aren't anything more than run-of-the-mill trespassers with nothing better to do.
BTW, its not as if shows in the Middle East portray US in the fairest possible way.
No, I'd like whoever was responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They aren't anything more than run-of-the-mill trespassers with nothing better to do.
BTW, its not as if shows in the Middle East portray US in the fairest possible way.
6
Just take a look a comments in this thread--some of these people think Homeland is an accurate portrayal of what's going on in the world. It's not just a show, it's a purportedly topical show and is clearly influencing people's (mis)perception of the world. That invites criticism.
All the problems in the Muslim world and this is what offends??? Please. First world problems from a third world vantage point.
9
As someone who grew up in Beirut - and has watched Homeland in its entirety - I cannot help but laugh at the portrayal of my hometown in a negative light. Beirut is a wonderfully cosmopolitan city with world-class dining, bars and nightlife and a history that goes back thousands of years to the Phoenicians and beyond. The media does a very good job at portraying Lebanon in a negative light and shows such as Homeland exacerbate this problem. Tourism is one of the few successful drivers of the Lebanese economy - and shows such as this don't lend themselves to more tourism. Despite all this, there are way bigger problems within and around Lebanon that contribute to the problems the country faces. The show is just entertainment and not a true depiction of the reality on the ground.
1
Very obvious that Arabs are always portrayed negatively in USmedia while Jews are always victims. Of course the reality is much, much different.
6
I stopped watching this show last season because it felt very prejudice against Arabs. Then at some point I found out they were filming in Israel which just confirmed my fear the show was a showcase for Israel's apartheid state/state-of-mind. Very sad, I enjoyed the acting, however, with each season I felt the producers and directors had an agenda.
3
Really? An "agenda"? Do you know how hard it is to produce one episode of a show like Homeland? I don't think the producers were thinking of "an agenda". But, perhaps an Emmy.
1
I disagree.
I don't think all Muslims are bad. This show isn't about all Muslims or all Middle Eastern people. Most folks I know in the US who identify as Muslim aren't really practicing. I do, though, think Islam is a violent, archaic religion and that religious extremists of any kind (even the Christian ones in the US) are bad. Additionally, I realize the US has caused a lot of the problems in the Middle East.
That having been said, Homeland isn't a survey of all people in the Middle East. It's a show about the US involvement in the Middle East vis a vis terrorism, the CIA, our wars, etc.
I don't think all Muslims are bad. This show isn't about all Muslims or all Middle Eastern people. Most folks I know in the US who identify as Muslim aren't really practicing. I do, though, think Islam is a violent, archaic religion and that religious extremists of any kind (even the Christian ones in the US) are bad. Additionally, I realize the US has caused a lot of the problems in the Middle East.
That having been said, Homeland isn't a survey of all people in the Middle East. It's a show about the US involvement in the Middle East vis a vis terrorism, the CIA, our wars, etc.
5
Why is this article the lead on NYT's home page? The ostensible subject matter -- racism, the Middle East and western (mis)perceptions of its culture(s) -- is indeed very important. However, as written, the article is essentially about a television show. One would expect that in order to garner the leading headline, front-and-center, of a reputable newspaper, "Homeland" would be the jumping off point for an in-depth and unbiased look at the issues at-hand and their greater implications. Or, it could be a good topic for an Op-ed. Instead, the article lacks depth, focusing mostly on the show itself and "whodunnit." There are so many import things going on in the world today; to use the old adage: "There are children starving in Africa." I hope NYT can get its priorities straight and report the real news in its front-and-center headlines, just as BBC, Al Jazeera, and others are apt to do. If it is a slow news day, and it seems appropriate to feature a TV show as a vehicle to expound on a worthy topic, at least do so with integrity, and take it beyond the level of USA Today.
3
What started out as an excellent television series in its first season quickly went downhill to utter nonsense in subsequent seasons. I watched the second season sporadically, then gave up on it. I suspect that the last two or three seasons are downright dreadful. That it misportrays Muslims and Arabs is no surprise.
Last night I read about Sabrina Erdely's UVA debacle (yes my news reading is random, and sometimes just seems a link from some new ugly truth to face), and tonight this. The details of this article certainly show how someone getting sloppy about the details impacts an important opportunity to communicate. I hope people can often sense some collective psychic truth that feels nobler than what nationalism of any stripe, when too omnipotent, smells like...
Well, its Muslims doing most of the terrorism, beheading people, cutting peoples fingers off, and crucifying someone who dared criticizing the Saudi Arabian Government) literally crucifying). So, actually Muslims are being portrayed accuratley, If a religion does not like being portrayed that way, change your behavior.
13
Hurting the sentiments of other people in the name of fiction has been happening in Hollywood, Western TV, Indian films and Indian TV since ages. Comedians are depicted most of the time as buffoons rather than making the comedians to depict subtle comedy. Police are shown in Indian movies like some idiots most of the time.
How long this sort of fooling will continue in the name of make believe world ? There should be some full stop and a new beginning somewhere.
How long this sort of fooling will continue in the name of make believe world ? There should be some full stop and a new beginning somewhere.
1
The protesters might very well have legitimate complaints about Homeland. (I wouldn't know. I've never watched the show.)
Be that as it may, it should be made crystal clear to everyone everywhere that Islam is a set of opinions with which any person (or tv program) may legitimately disagree. Race and Religion are not interchangeable.
Be that as it may, it should be made crystal clear to everyone everywhere that Islam is a set of opinions with which any person (or tv program) may legitimately disagree. Race and Religion are not interchangeable.
1
I'm addressing only the criticism that the actors hired for roles in which Urdu or Arabic must be spoken sound like they don't know what they're saying. That may be true, and the producers maybe should try a little harder to find actors who speak the language. But listen to the British actors on British TV shows (much less in films) who are playing Americans. No one in America speaks with an accent these actors put on. And that's even knowing the language. Unless you are native, it's hard to sound native. As an American I don't take it as an affront every time Masterpiece Theater, or whatever, has a non-American play an American and not sound American. So on the language issue, I would give the show a break.
2
Linda it is more of an entire context thing not just the one thing you explained so well.
If you watch the show it is very racist and the characters are very racist and the PR about the show is mainly stating how "accurately" or true to life it portrays things.
If you watch the show it is very racist and the characters are very racist and the PR about the show is mainly stating how "accurately" or true to life it portrays things.
1
I gave up on this show as too anti-American. In those initial reasons, Muslim terrorists assassinated the vice president of the United States, and the show portrayed that as understandable, as he was aggressive in his support in the war on terror. Then, when they blew up the bomb outside the CIA, killing nearly a 100, many CIA officers, that too the show's producers portrayed as an understandable act.
3
The ultimate in gall. The "artists" don't mind throwing their integrity out the window when they get paid to do a job and then claim they stuck it to the man.
3
These "artists" or rather artists ! just emphasizes the plot and viewpoint of the show
I read some comments below on how the show depicts the Muslim world either realistically or falsely. While fiction is not supposed to have realism as its main goal, the given cirsumstances today and the power of media seem to demand realism that is true complexity, nuances, and contradictions in life. What I dont understand is how these comments dont bring up the depiction of the US military and intelligence forces as its problem. We shouldnt just be concerned with whether the life and the worlds of people in or from M.E. Is realistic enough or not but more importantly whether the U.S. itelf as a rogue state that evades constraints of international treaties and agreements and even law is depicted realistically enough
The show is not a domestic sitcom. It's about the agency that deals with Muslim extremists. Does anyone remember recent beheadings and other atrocities against innocent people by the jihadists. On the other hand, American entertainment industry is generally disrespectful to the authenticity of foreign languages spoken or written in their productions. I wonder how these producers would feel if English language was ridiculed in foreign movies.
1
Even if Homeland's portrayal of Muslims is racist and insulting, has the show actually killed people? Do these "artists" protest the actual Muslim terrorists who murder so many every day, or the fact that almost all Muslim countries are dictatorships, or the gross anti-Semitism spewed daily by all Muslim media in the Mulsim world that actually incites Muslims to kill Jews?
Where are these "artists" when it comes to "hacking" the genuine evil in their own communities?
Where are these "artists" when it comes to "hacking" the genuine evil in their own communities?
6
I got a great idea. Why don't these "experts" do the same thing at Ground Zero? Then stand around there and explain what they've done.
4
Those guys are extremist thugs. Doesn't matter that they are refined artists, acting on principle. Suicide bombers also act on principle. 100 lashes each, I say!
It is a SHOW, and a superb one at that.
It is a SHOW, and a superb one at that.
2
I'm surprised it took this long for the PC patrol to attack Homeland. Let's just make all the villains like they do on NBC; unidentifiable religiously, but clearly white, and from the caucuses or Russia.
I'm sorry but this is becoming insane. It's a show about terrorism. Was Zero Dark Thirty racist too?
I'm sorry but this is becoming insane. It's a show about terrorism. Was Zero Dark Thirty racist too?
4
Thanks for opening our eyes--we like watching the show, and know its characters are sterotypes, but didn't understand the full extent of its bias.
This show is probably as ridiculous as the portrayal of Jews in Borat's home except in that case the ridiculousness of the portrayal was pointed out. Whenever a group is unfairly portrayed for ridicule in the media it's an affront to all of us.
Give me a break. It's a TV show. Is Sesame Street real?
3
I have to admit I admire the pluck of the two lads responsible but their is a very sad irony to it. Had they penned something like "Allah rocks" or "More Muslims like baseball than beheadings" they would have won the rhetorical day. As it is by choosing an "absolute" characterization to meet the “not absolute" but "on balance" alleged inproper characterization of Muslims they demonstrate that it is indeed an ethos incapable of irony, paradox, discernment or humor. Very nice try though.
1
I watched two seasons of Homeland because I like Mandy Patamkin, couldn' t watch the other seasons because of the incredible Islamphobia of the production. I thought the Arab-bashing was outrageous. I wanted to take a shower after watching each episode. Racist.
3
To the Arabian Street Artists, I say "shukran" (thank you) for your protest of continuing Islamophobic stereotyping by the series 'Homeland'. While they are not the only offenders with their negative portrayls of Muslims and Arabs, they are among the most chronic and (unfortunately) visible on U.S. television. As for me and my house, we protest with the "off" button.
2
I get it, and one part of me applauds the subversive nature of the artists' protest, but another part of me is a little sick of their let's humiliate the "stupid Americans" prank, piggybacking on the work of other, more well known, artists.
Also, to be fair, if "Homeland is not a show" is supposed to be an insult, they missed the mark there. The only way that means anything is if it's said by a suit in a pitch meeting.
Also, to be fair, if "Homeland is not a show" is supposed to be an insult, they missed the mark there. The only way that means anything is if it's said by a suit in a pitch meeting.
2
Did Netanyahu have a cameo? I didn't see it.
Just watch Kristen's google eyes. I see subversive graffiti on the boxcars everyday on the Burlington rails down the street. Please enough.
I saw a guy on an International Mystery show from Italy wearing a Cubs jersey --- now that's way out of line. I'm a Sox fan - except these days.
Just saying - it's fiction - a t.v. show.
Just watch Kristen's google eyes. I see subversive graffiti on the boxcars everyday on the Burlington rails down the street. Please enough.
I saw a guy on an International Mystery show from Italy wearing a Cubs jersey --- now that's way out of line. I'm a Sox fan - except these days.
Just saying - it's fiction - a t.v. show.
"I saw a guy on an International Mystery show from Italy wearing a Cubs jersey --- now that's way out of line. I'm a Sox fan"
The end is nigh when you see the Mets jersey.
The end is nigh when you see the Mets jersey.
Muslims are incredibly, incorrigibly, unchangeably, sensitive to any so called negative portrayals about their community, while totally overlooking their own acts of intolerance, murder, rape and pillage against others. This is one the most fascinating and disturbing aspects among those who follow this religion. What the world needs to give the Muslims in not a TV show, but a mirror, so that they can see themselves as they really are and as others see them: intolerant, unreflective, needlessly indignant and a giant system of groupthink.
15
I've never seen "Homeland".
Is it like the Kardasians, the "Housewives of [fill in the blank]", "Storage Wars", or an article in the NYT about Israel or the Democratic Party?
Is it like the Kardasians, the "Housewives of [fill in the blank]", "Storage Wars", or an article in the NYT about Israel or the Democratic Party?
4
SO What? The show isn't describing a Pashtunwali Kum Bai Yah version of the world is it? Homeland has brought up many perspectives of just how the world works and who calls the shots. Ever meet any CIA Agents? These men and women are told, We are sending you to the most dangerous places in the world, mostly unarmed, to recruit, and gain intelligence from people who will kill you in horrible ways, to conduct covert operations and protect folks you wouldn't let walk your dog and if you fall, no one will ever know what you did or why... And these men and women volunteer, give up their lives in our society, undergo polygraphs every 6 months, and have the most unused leave of all Government agencies. Put on an Iranian Spy show and dub it. I'll tune in. Maybe they can show a dashing, beautiful Quds agent seducing and killing Fat, Dumb Americans singing Kum Bai Yah.
4
Wow, a whole new world has opened up for attention-seekers, wasted time-wasters. and the politically fixated. How long before the media wastes our time with stories about scrawled messages by disgruntled union worker in VW parts, or supposedly subliminal messages slipped into barcodes by ingenious nerds? There was a time when people like Stalin and Hitler did propaganda to fool the masses. Now it is fools doing propaganda to incite the media. The descendants of the professionals (namely, journalists) that protected the West from totalitarian madness back in the 30's, 40's, and 50's seem to have decamped to the enemy.
2
It's been done. In the 40s and 50s, auto plant workers would preset the AM radio to the union station. How that was relevant beyond 30 miles from Detroit is not obvious to me, but still they did it.
As someone who enjoys the show and is a fan of it - while nuanced by Republican standards, it isn't nuanced by global standards. After all its origins are Israeli and Israel is locked in a slow death match with Arabs. It cannot avoid an anti-Muslim undercurrent. Pointing out that there are good Muslims while emphasizing these are dangerous places for 'our people' furthers that racist narrative while still being great storytelling. The show will be racist by its very nature. The same way a CIA-focused show set in the 70s would have demonized the Russians. What I was truly offended by was the lack of quality control - they used people who had no clue about the Pakistani language Urdu speak it in the previous season - as they butchered the lines and accent sitting in South Africa!
2
For balance, we need more TV shows about the terrorist threats posed by Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, Icelanders, Scots, Swiss, etc..
16
and our own US citizens - plenty of examples.
We called them "rampages", or 'gun violence'. But being shot and killed while in school .... it's terrorism. Homegrown at that.
We called them "rampages", or 'gun violence'. But being shot and killed while in school .... it's terrorism. Homegrown at that.
1
Islam is not a race.
7
Agree... the show's portrayal of Arabs is pretty bad, and no I am not thin-skinned or harbour PC sensitivities like so many Americans do today.
Anyways, the show is just bad... period. A psychotic CIA agent who constantly disobeys orders and saving team freedom time and again while making god-awful faces much of the time.
Borders on comedy, but unfortunately it takes itself seriously.
Anyways, the show is just bad... period. A psychotic CIA agent who constantly disobeys orders and saving team freedom time and again while making god-awful faces much of the time.
Borders on comedy, but unfortunately it takes itself seriously.
2
Homeland is racist.
It is just is.
It is just is.
2
No its not. It just isn't.
1
Homeland is not racist.
It's just not.
Quite the debate we're having here.
It's just not.
Quite the debate we're having here.
The more TV you watch the dumber you get.
9
Fortunately, Arab depiction of the West in their own media is nuanced and accurate.
12
What interests me most about this article is the fact that there are people paid to be Arabic 'graffiti' artists. Now that's a very specialized gig.
I wonder what the penalty is in Saudi Arabia for spray painting graffiti?
I wonder what the penalty is in Saudi Arabia for spray painting graffiti?
8
This entire world needs more artists. Peace.
4
what a great example for all arabs, or muslims, or whatever flag these guys ascribe to: take the money, and flaunt your contempt for your employer.
don't hire these guys to be your chefs: they'll spit in the soup.
don't hire these guys to be your chefs: they'll spit in the soup.
12
News flash: Islam is a religion, not a race or ethnicity.
11
When the majority of Muslims denounce Jihad, that will be when I will have some use for their religion and culture. However, I fear that taking the Koran literally is the basis of their culture. Why any Western country would want thousands of people from the ME to settle in their countries is beyond understanding in that most of those fleeing will only want to keep to their beliefs and not blend into Western society===leading to real problems down the road.
20
The producers of this show know very well what they're doing; the Israeli original which they created was brilliant, complex, and heartbreakingly realistic in examining the human beings behind the facile label of "terrorist."
"Homeland" is for the American market--largely ignorant about the rest of the world and not much caring to be educated. Media critics focus mostly on the seismography of Carrie's chin and not on the fact that Islam has as many faces as do Christianity, and Judaism.
"Homeland" is for the American market--largely ignorant about the rest of the world and not much caring to be educated. Media critics focus mostly on the seismography of Carrie's chin and not on the fact that Islam has as many faces as do Christianity, and Judaism.
3
Far too many Americans don't understand the millenia-old differences between Persia and Arabia, the almost fourteen-century-old profound differences between Sunni and Shia. 'Homeland' is just another half-witted celebration of American ignorance.
2
First I don't think Islam is a 'race'. Secondly, this is nothing compared to how other 'races' are portrayed (think 'Sopranos'). The ultra sensitivity to anything and everything that might possibly be offensive is getting a bit tiresome.
15
The culture of victimization and identity politics strikes again.
8
Urban legend has it that in the early days of the occupation of Iraq, Iraqis planning to ambush U.S. military vehicles would spray paint a large message on a wall in Arabic that read, "Don't drive down this street; a bomb will explode soon."
5
It's also fair to point out that the Homeland's portrayal of radical Muslims is no more preposterous than it's portrayal of the CIA, who are -- as a group -- shown to be lying, maniacal, ruthlessly unethical, and homicidal. I'm sure there are also many hurt feelings over at Langley.
21
I have watched the first three seasons. As a physician, non Muslim, I started watching the show to see the descent of untreated bipolarism. Clearly, anyone can look back in history and see how many remarkable people were cursed and blessed with mental disease. I am not uneducated but I watch to see the complexity of mental disease in a world and career I am foreign to. Maybe the writers and producers have their agenda- I don't really care to see if they do. Nothing I have seen has soured me on the Islamic faith and culture. We are all complex individuals that make choices. I don't always agree with my Jewish and Catholic friends, and they me. I am blessed to know good people of all faiths. Thanks to the show for showing how complex and nonsensical mental disease can be.
3
Just as the most recent Mission Impossible stupidly depicted Casablanca, Morocco as a small, primitive village. In fact, it's a city of 4,000,000 people.
4
Muslims are all too often unwilling to be critical of their co-religionists actions. At this juncture in history, Islamists are killing thousands of Muslims and Christians weekly with relatively scant criticism coming from Muslim political and religious leaders. Indeed, as I type this, Palestinian teenagers are stabbing innocent Israelis while the Palestinian political hierarchy celebrates these barbaric acts by passing out candy their kids. Now that's what one might call clearly bigotry.
"Homeland" is a nuanced depiction of the horrors Muslims are either precipitating or being victimized by in the Middle East. Some of those who believe it to be "racist" might consider watching something else...
"Homeland" is a nuanced depiction of the horrors Muslims are either precipitating or being victimized by in the Middle East. Some of those who believe it to be "racist" might consider watching something else...
12
The only thing funnier than the artists' hack is all the commenters who defend the show as nuanced, realistic, and an accurate portrayal of the middle-east of their imaginations. Imaginations constructed largely from exactly such material. God save us from the American voter.
4
I really wish aggrieved people would learn the difference between racism and ethnic bigotry. I encourage these Arab activists to also protest against the anti-Semitism they see in state-sponsored media across the Middle East. There is no shortage of fodder for outrage if you are looking to right the wrongs of false portrayals. Don't pick on Carrie, she's depressed enough.
10
It isn't a racial bias, it's cultural. I've worked for years with many fine Arab-Americans, and Americanized Muslims who I completely trust, They tend to be quietly low-profile, not making headlines. I wish they'd speak out against the jihadists, but that may be hazardous for them.
The bias is against those who express hatred of America with destructive actions, nothing to do with race except that many of those discontented people tend to be Islamic Arabs. That's not our fault.
The bias is against those who express hatred of America with destructive actions, nothing to do with race except that many of those discontented people tend to be Islamic Arabs. That's not our fault.
6
I think its made this way because it is a show. They are supposed to sensationalize the plot, add a little spice. It is the same way as they portray the Mexican border in some shows, the reality is another, these towns are relatively peaceful and they are portrayed as hell on earth.
1
I find Homeland disturbing because it is a re-enactment of what I read in the media every single day. Definitely not entertainment.
As for the complaints that Muslims are depicted unfairly, I'd appreciate hearing in which Islamic countries are Muslims of all stripes treated fairly? As I write, Muslims are killing Muslims by the thousands. Muslims are raping Muslims women. Destroying historical shrines. Beheading and crucifying Muslims.
All the while Muslims are pouring into the secular nations of Europe to flee the obscene actions of Muslims.
My suggestion is these artists look for work in Syria where they can sing the praises of Islam. Of course, one note out of tune and they will suffer for it.
As for the complaints that Muslims are depicted unfairly, I'd appreciate hearing in which Islamic countries are Muslims of all stripes treated fairly? As I write, Muslims are killing Muslims by the thousands. Muslims are raping Muslims women. Destroying historical shrines. Beheading and crucifying Muslims.
All the while Muslims are pouring into the secular nations of Europe to flee the obscene actions of Muslims.
My suggestion is these artists look for work in Syria where they can sing the praises of Islam. Of course, one note out of tune and they will suffer for it.
33
Bravo, Sharon.
Writing something in Arabic for an American audience begs the question: When a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there, does it make a sound? This "protest" falls on deaf ears and blind eyes. Until the longstanding wounds are healed from 9/11, and even the hostage taking in Tehran decades earlier, there will be no understanding from most Americans toward Muslims anywhere in the world, including within the U.S. No hand wringing or a utopian ideal of censorship will change that. This childish outcry for better representation seems to be the peaceful equivalent of the Charlie Hebdo massacre: some Muslims do not seem to tolerate the fictional representation of anything. But at least these "artists" did not wield weapons.
12
Good for them; it was harmless, and it shows daring and a sense of humour.
That said, I don't find Homeland quite so black and white. It's essentially a human rather than a political drama: everyone has credible motives for what they do, including the usually stereotypical "bad guys," and everyone has good and bad qualities.
Claire Danes's character callously seduced the young nephew of an Afghan militant leader, and got the boy killed when she conned him into leading the CIA to his uncle, who loved him but felt forced to sacrifice him as a major threat to his nationalist cause. Mandy Patinkin's Saul Berenson character is a dangerous fanatic whose obvious anti-Muslim bias distorts his judgment, with consequences for CIA operations. That kind of ambivalence makes the show interesting for me.
Also, the CIA never seems to win: it failed both to stop a terrorist attack in Washington and to take out an Afghan militant leader in Pakistan. The main CIA characters seem constantly in pain: all their furious skill in killing people just leads to a sense of frustration and futility.
While the show isn't quite so simple-minded as some seem to think, the pranksters' jab at the distorted picture of Muslim society was artful and therefore delightful.
That said, I don't find Homeland quite so black and white. It's essentially a human rather than a political drama: everyone has credible motives for what they do, including the usually stereotypical "bad guys," and everyone has good and bad qualities.
Claire Danes's character callously seduced the young nephew of an Afghan militant leader, and got the boy killed when she conned him into leading the CIA to his uncle, who loved him but felt forced to sacrifice him as a major threat to his nationalist cause. Mandy Patinkin's Saul Berenson character is a dangerous fanatic whose obvious anti-Muslim bias distorts his judgment, with consequences for CIA operations. That kind of ambivalence makes the show interesting for me.
Also, the CIA never seems to win: it failed both to stop a terrorist attack in Washington and to take out an Afghan militant leader in Pakistan. The main CIA characters seem constantly in pain: all their furious skill in killing people just leads to a sense of frustration and futility.
While the show isn't quite so simple-minded as some seem to think, the pranksters' jab at the distorted picture of Muslim society was artful and therefore delightful.
2
Seems to me it is not humor, but shameless self-promotion.
I love this story so much. How often are we given the perfect opportunity to voice our discontent or dissent right on the abject object? Imagine sitting at home thinking "how can I let the world know how abhorrent I find this?" And then you get hired to write some stuff on the wall - whatever you want. Classic. Perfect.
3
We have replaced the demands for objective portrayal with the demands for self-censorship. Facts and Truths matter less than optics and party line. And the more we give, the worse it becomes. Homeland did a great job showing a reasonable and complex view of the modern middle east. However much some will dislike it, IEDs, ISIS, and blood feud between Shias ad Sunnis exists there and not in Belgium. And pretending that it doesn't will only worsen the situation.
7
Defend Homeland (either via "get a life, its a TV show" or "get real, its real"), but criticize when Egyptian networks broadcast a mini-series around the Protocols of Zion. Hypocrisy, or American self-righteousness circa 2015?
8
I wish I could troll every portrayal of white middle aged male Americans that in no way reflects who I am, or even how I look or offends me. But then again, I'd would have time for little else if I could.
14
I don't know if Homeland is racist or not, never having watched the show. But it seems to me that these artists have lost an opportunity to discuss their pov with the producers of Homeland and will have gained little or nothing in the long run. I wouldn't be surprised if the graffiti is erased before dvds of the show become available.
13
The producers are well-known right-wing Fox News loving types. Rare in Hollywood, but it's true. They also did "24", and do in fact think that in real life radical Islam is a grave and terrible danger. So there is pretty much a snowball's chance on summer day in Baghdad that these guys would have ever spoken to the producers, let alone convinced them of anything.
1
because they would totally listen and not fire them and erase it before this article could ever be written
1
@pak,
Clearly you know nothing about Hollywood business practices or spin. It will be a selling point.
Clearly you know nothing about Hollywood business practices or spin. It will be a selling point.
1
To further prove how highly principled they are, did the artists/painters promptly return all wages and other compensation, given they did not fulfill their responsibilities to their employer? I highly doubt it!
6
I think people are upset that Hollywood is in the business of entertainment and not reality, something that having lived there a short while was very evident from not only those who seek to live and be in the industry of entertainers, but begin to believe the myth that what comes out if there is real. It is not! Why do you think that the Democratic hopefuls all have spent so much time raising money in that place over the years because the average public is not only easily amused but entertained as well.
2
I have never seen this show, but I would be willing to surmise that the show is fictional (and indicates this somewhere along the line) and is not depicting actual people and places, but may be using some real life names of people and places to create a dramatic picture. From the comments, it seems like it does a fairly descent job at being entertaining, which is the point, not to depict the Muslim culture. Let's use the show ER as an example. Some people have loved the show and think that hospital procedure was fairly correct and believable, but I don't think anyone would want one of those "doctors" operating on them. And I am sure that many real doctors watched the show and didn't cringe when one of the actors mis-pronounced a medical term or made the wrong diagnosis. I also think that Ms. Amin's comment about people not being able to "differentiate between facts and fiction" as an insult to many people's intelligence and makes a lot of assumptions. For those who don't like or find it frustrating, then don't watch it.
2
Read Iman's, Voila's, and polymath's comments below. They reveal that the show's audiences are living in mutually exclusive, alternate realities: some (such as Iman and Voila) very aware of the show's paranoia and racism under its guise of daring documentary reportage; others (such as polymath) taking Homeland to be "relentlessly" real, even daring, in its truthfulness. This is sad and scary, folks, but also accurate regarding the contemporary US, where people live in two different worlds and interact as little as possible. (The #blacklivesmatter "debate," anyone?) For the record, Iman and Voila are right, and 20 years from now that will be even clearer, when Homeland is seen as an example of the psychosis of the present moment.
2
I have never seen "Homeland" but I wouldn't be surprised that a popular American TV show shows a less than accurate portrait of the culture it is portraying. I can think of "Dallas", "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Sex and the City" as examples of hyperbolic or plainly ridiculous versions of the cultures portrayed. So we shouldn't be surprised.
I would certainly appreciate a detailed and accurate explanation of just why Islamic culture, politics, religion and ideology is a good thing in the modern world. This could take the form of a TV drama, debate or other medium. I would like an explanation of just why widespread misogyny, homophobia, spectacular intolerance for other religions, ignoring science and education, a miserable and unjust legal system, and constant guilt mongering make for a positive force in the world. I don't think the show should be a comedy. I expect I'll have a long wait to see it. I might as well just watch the news instead.
I would certainly appreciate a detailed and accurate explanation of just why Islamic culture, politics, religion and ideology is a good thing in the modern world. This could take the form of a TV drama, debate or other medium. I would like an explanation of just why widespread misogyny, homophobia, spectacular intolerance for other religions, ignoring science and education, a miserable and unjust legal system, and constant guilt mongering make for a positive force in the world. I don't think the show should be a comedy. I expect I'll have a long wait to see it. I might as well just watch the news instead.
5
I don't buy the argument that portrayal of fundamentalist Islam equals racism against anyone of Arab descent. It's a weak attempt to inoculate Islam from any criticism.
15
How can it be racist? Muslims are not a race.
8
I've never seen the show. I consider the genre to be a form of propaganda/porn and just don't need to get my 'amusement' this way... but, boy, did this give me a good laugh for the day. Carry on, young ones, you get a gold star today.
14
Kudos to the artists.
11
This is hilarious! The fact that it even made it on air—that no one involved in the shooting, production, editing, etc, knew enough about Arabic or the people they try to depict to notice something so blatant—proves the pranksters' point well enough. I've never seen the show, but the note about Hamra Street is pretty silly. Imagine a Pakistani remake of the Departed, say, depicting a shootout on Newbury Street and you can see how goofy it really is.
13
The producers apparently don't bother to hire actors whose command of Arabic is local to the countries where they are supposed to live. That not a single member of the cast or crew knew enough Arabic to notice the graffiti speaks volumes. Failure to get these simple features right signals utter indifference to the very people whom the producers claim, with embarrassing paternalism, to be speaking for.
This show may think it's striving to show Muslims as real people, not just bombers, but the very idea expressed in this sentence signals how far we in the US have fallen into bigotry and perversity.
I'm very amused by the intervention, but ashamed as well.
I am both amused by the intervention
This show may think it's striving to show Muslims as real people, not just bombers, but the very idea expressed in this sentence signals how far we in the US have fallen into bigotry and perversity.
I'm very amused by the intervention, but ashamed as well.
I am both amused by the intervention
6
Consider Americans to still be traumatized by 9/11 , watch the show or not, but be sure to bless the (relative) peace and quiet while you sit on your easy chair at the end of the day...
For what it's worth, the episode in question included a scene in which the Hezbollah member pictured in the still warns Carrie that somebody is out to kill her, and by the end of the episode, it appears that that person, who is presumably responsible for the murder attempt in Lebanon earlier in the episode, is in the CIA, not Hezbollah or Al Qaeda. In other words, the menacing Arab environment in this episode seems to be one big red herring. No doubt there are more plot twists coming. But this does make for an ironic contrast with the criticisms of the graffiti artists.
11
Hold on, I'm learning physics from the Big Bang show, so.I am disappointed that all my studying about the Mideast may not be correct. Oh well, back to my legal studies on Judge Judy.
39
I was an avid fan of "Homeland" for the first few seasons but after Brody disappeared, it morphed into a sort of a comic-book action series. Brody's family problems were a diversion from the frenetic action, at least allowing viewers to catch their breaths. Now, with one frenetically paced dilemma after another centered around Claire Danes, it is more liked "The Perils of Carrie."
It's like watching a chase scene for thirty minutes. After a while, one loses interest.
It's like watching a chase scene for thirty minutes. After a while, one loses interest.
4
This is just a juvenile prank. If Ms. Amin et al. were really protesting, they would not have accepted the money.
10
Mafia movies aren't representative of all Italians.
Polish jokes aren't representative of all Poles.
Moves about Nazis aren't representative of all Germans.
American Psycho isn't a book about all American Men.
It's infantile to call an action/spy drama like Homeland racist for realistically portraying the bad guys that are necessary for realistic drama.
Sounds like the work of naïve "artists" - and I use that word loosely.
Polish jokes aren't representative of all Poles.
Moves about Nazis aren't representative of all Germans.
American Psycho isn't a book about all American Men.
It's infantile to call an action/spy drama like Homeland racist for realistically portraying the bad guys that are necessary for realistic drama.
Sounds like the work of naïve "artists" - and I use that word loosely.
28
one man's bad guy is another man's freedom fighter.
Yes, cowardly multiculturalism and tedious political correctness of the MSM make this non-event into a front page article. As the public rejects nonsensical obsession with race and pandering to hostile religions, it is forced to alternative news sources and even social media for information on public issues. MSM reporters don't report; they write vignettes and and homilies. The MSM is dying out because it's propaganda and people hate being fed lies.
The artists for Showtime's "Homeland"have given it well-deserved lemons, with this clever protest. Few believe the producers really would have revised their script to produce accurate backgrounds, or created heroic Arab leads (Who? Omar Sharif's dead!). But given Showtime's market surveys of what Showtime's target market watches, the producers ought to produce lemonade with this PR lemon: dramatize the subversion of a British film about terrorism, and the Arab artists that confound its message, until the British have to rescue the same artists as Arab asylum seekers from ISIS attack. How's that for imagination and accuracy?
5
Politics aside, I thought it was a matter of professional pride for everyone associated with a movie or TV production to research every aspect of the production (sets, costumes, etc.) meticulously; ditto for the authors of historical novels. There have been whole books written about so-called film flubs (e.g., extras wearing wristwatches in films set in antiquity). Yet the creators of this series didn't even do enough background research to realize that an alliance between (Shiite) Iran and (Sunni) al-Qaeda would be preposterous? That is laziness beyond words.
30
If you have a bigger problem with this slight and amusing act of subterfuge than with the portrayal of Muslims in Homeland, you should probably reconsider.
11
I couldn't get past the first season of Homeland with its ridiculous Iran-Al Q connection. (The show reminds me of M*A*S*H and its agglomeration of Asians who all played Koreans, regardless of ethnicity, especially in the early episodes. I think Mako must have played five or six different Korean characters over its years.) Kudos to the artists.
13
On the one hand, it's TV, folks. Most characters are outrageous caricatures of reality. The Times itself has reported that women working for the CIA find Claire Danes' behaviour ridiculous, and say that their work ethic has nothing to do with hers. However, a good TV series requires characters odd enough to have crises show after show.
On the other hand, the Times has also reported on "source memory," presenting research that most people remember content more easily than they remember sources of content. So, images from the show become mixed with images from the news, and, for many people, become part of their understanding of current events. Responsible teaching should include more balanced, more nuanced characters.
On the other hand, the Times has also reported on "source memory," presenting research that most people remember content more easily than they remember sources of content. So, images from the show become mixed with images from the news, and, for many people, become part of their understanding of current events. Responsible teaching should include more balanced, more nuanced characters.
9
There is no reason or excuse for this show to exist at all. Good for the artists.
16
Muslims need to spend more time protesting the fact that women in many of their societies are treated like dogs. That's worth protesting, fellas. Do some undercover sabotage on shows in the Muslim world to draw attention to that fact, please. Meanwhile, the hair trigger sensitivity to any negative depiction of Islamic societies is simply laughable.
70
They do it, and it doesn't get coverage. See Below
http://muslimbuddhist.blogspot.com/search/label/Muslimoutrage
http://muslimbuddhist.blogspot.com/search/label/Muslimoutrage
Guess they showed us!
6
Hollywood's depraved imagination has nothing on what the gruesome reality in those parts of the world produce on a nightly basis. Watch the news.
36
Mutilations, beheadings, crucifixions, destruction of ancient buildings, looting and selling of ancient artifacts, and so on. I think Homeland has just touched the surface. Perhaps they might hire some of the pathetic refugees streaming out of Syria to write their graffiti, and be paid for crowd scenes. I don't know who these self-righteous "pranksters" are, but would recommend they take their indignation about getting paid by a TV series, and go home. Join in the fight against whatever.
This reminds me of people who criticized the show "24" when it focused on middle eastern terrorism. Lost in that conversation was the fact that the same show also spent a season talking about the perils of U.S. military contractors running amok, political gamesmanship costing American lives, and even saw Jack Bauer suffering consequences for his years torturing his way through every investigation (protagonist or not). Add to the list of complainers, people who criticize programs like the Daily Show for not asking tough questions ON COMEDY CENTRAL. People... these are not media sources! The scripts are not reenactments of peer-reviewed longitudinal studies that producers found in "Sociology Today: A Nuanced Survey of How Sectarian Allegiances Affect Middle Eastern Policy Matters." News flash: the military is less fun than Michael Bay depicts, physics is MUCH less forgiving than Christopher Nolan would have us believe, the FBI is not quite as incompetent as Blacklist implies, and police departments are typically run by more than a dozen all-purpose employees (unlike CSI: [insert location]). Everyone is aware of the difference between entertainment and scholarly articles. I doubt the Middle Eastern shows are particularly concerned with fair and balanced depictions of the U.S.
21
Here's another newsflash: the media affects us! Otherwise, why not bring back Al Jolson? It's only a movie! I can't wait to see Birth of a Nation again.
The place where we part company is when you say "Everyone is aware of the difference between entertainment and scholarly articles."
Scarily, I am afraid that there are far too many people who do NOT understand the difference between "entertainment" -- a category into which 'Homeland' purports to fall -- and real life (or scholarly articles, i.e., things based on facts, not fiction). There seem to be fairly large numbers of people who have a great deal of trouble sorting the factual from the fictive, particularly when it comes to television. Perhaps the time is ripe for labeling our TV show content?!
Scarily, I am afraid that there are far too many people who do NOT understand the difference between "entertainment" -- a category into which 'Homeland' purports to fall -- and real life (or scholarly articles, i.e., things based on facts, not fiction). There seem to be fairly large numbers of people who have a great deal of trouble sorting the factual from the fictive, particularly when it comes to television. Perhaps the time is ripe for labeling our TV show content?!
That's a scary prospect you bring up! My comment was premised on the vast majority of people knowing that the show isn't real! I will admit this... IF you're right that many people are actually basing their actions on works of OBVIOUS fiction, then Homeland is a very dangerous show. In fact, if there are that many people too mentally feeble to distinguish between fantasy and reality, labeling wouldn't be enough. Many shows, movies, and even websites would need to be shut down immediately. Heck, freedom of the press and speech notwithstanding, Fox News and Donald Trump would need to be silenced as a matter of public safety! No one stupid enough to take Homeland as fact is going to be dissuaded by "labeling," after all. Hypothetically, such people shouldn't even be allowed to walk free.
The fact is the vast majority of television programming is insulting. I have not seen this program, but based on the description of it, it sounds typical. So there's really nothing to be surprised about here, there is no reason to watch TV anyway, except to kill time. Oh... and to learn if you won the lottery or not. The cold fact is that reality doesn't sell - fantasy does. Even paranoid fantasy. And I'll bet that's true in Lebanon as well...
7
It's worth pointing out that while the producers and set designers failed to understand what the graffiti said, so, it seems, did the many actors and extras, at least some of whom, given that the scene was set in a refugee camp, can be presumed to be able to read Arabic.
5
"What does that say?" would be one of the first things I would ask, if I were associated with this series.
2
Among the many possibilities, I suspect what it says is that the shoot was, as one of the artists said, 'frantic'. Shoots often are. So no one noticed the graffiti, and the failure of the show's producers and designers means nothing at all, really.
3
Well, I have been to the Middle East and that is an actual portrayal is in itself not an actual portrait of anything beyond an individual's misinformed empirical observations, commonly agreed with by like-minded NYT-reading television consumers, and otherwise. But why the reluctance in admitting that the show is facile, offensive, stimulating AND a precious commodity like, say, internet pornography? Is that so wrong? The article, rather, is simply bringing to the attention of folks who may or not be familiar with the program this curiously indefatigable phenomenon that art as a product of creative labor still operates on many levels. Everybody gets paid.
7
I enjoy the show as entertainment and admire the writers & producers for their storytelling gifts. But the fact that not one member of the vast production staff–from producers to editors to execs to assistants–recognized the title of their show in Arabic says a lot about the disconnect between the creators and the world their show is set in. And the fact that no one who WAS able to read the messages said anything, like all the extras in the crowded refuge camp scene, also speaks volumes.
116
Blaming the makers is childish. The producers expected a professional job, not a teen-age prank. So much for the artists' credibility!! Shame on them.
11
What a clever idea!
I watched first two seasons of "Homeland" but got tired of it, too much like "24".
As for the stereotypes. Truly bad guys are never American, these days they are either Muslims or have a British accent.
Now that Mr. Putin is back in the "bad guy" category, perhaps we'll see Russian bad guys on TV and in the movies again.
Long time ago bad guys were often German, but not anymore. I wonder why.
I watched first two seasons of "Homeland" but got tired of it, too much like "24".
As for the stereotypes. Truly bad guys are never American, these days they are either Muslims or have a British accent.
Now that Mr. Putin is back in the "bad guy" category, perhaps we'll see Russian bad guys on TV and in the movies again.
Long time ago bad guys were often German, but not anymore. I wonder why.
10
"Truly bad guys are never American, these days they are either Muslims or have a British accent."
After the fall of the Soviet Union and before the rise of Islamic terrorists most of the really bad guys were North Koreans.
After the fall of the Soviet Union and before the rise of Islamic terrorists most of the really bad guys were North Koreans.
3
I was willing always to suspend my disbelief, and enjoy the show when Carrie and the others worked for the CIA. A fictional CIA maybe, but there IS a CIA. Now she works for a fantasy German billionaire?
4
I'm in stitches about this. I've never seen Homeland, but these graffiti artists shot themselves in the foot big time. Not only did they ensure that no one would want to hire them again with their unprofessional behavior, but they probably also helped to popularize the show they hate so much by generating press and interest for it.
34
Sounds as though the show's producers would benefit by having their site selection as well as their dailies viewed by someone fluent in the local language(s).
8
Watched the show once for about 15 minutes when it was clear that all of the typical racist, Islamophobic nonsense was in full effect. It is like watching "Gone with the Wind," for a deeper understanding of slavery in the USA. So tired of seeing the same old nonsense, no wonder so many Americans of European decent are terrified of the "other" - it is all they know. Spot on to the artists for the covert/overt resistance!
22
Or maybe the fear is based on real world Muslim terrorist acts, which some NYers recall?
It is not fair to think all Muslims must be terrorists, but it is not completely irrational either.
It is not fair to think all Muslims must be terrorists, but it is not completely irrational either.
2
This pleases me much more than anything I've ever actually seen on "Homeland."
10
So it sounds like Homeland has decided to realistically portray Islam instead of hiding behind political correctness. I think it's time I start tuning in again.
13
Well, if those concerned Arabic graffiti artists wanted to help boost the ratings for the show, this is one good way to do it. Of course, the boost may only come in Arabic speaking countries.
I hope these people are as concerned about the racist and political distortions Arabs have about the West.
As for getting my major facts about the Middle East from fictional television shows, I resent such an accusation. I learned from their previous show, "24", that torture works as a method of extracting reliable information from anyone with a beard. Plus, the Fox News channel isn't fictional, is it? They say they are fair and balanced. If I can't believe them, who can I trust, besides Rush Limbaugh? Besides, Rush isn't on TV. He is on radio.
4
The show is about, in this case, Muslim extremists and while I have no idea of how many wear beards or live in Lebanon, I am aware that they are a cancer on all of the civilized world and live in the Middle East. Racism is about race, the Arabs are an ethnic group and the Iranians (true villains they) are not even Arabs. The facts are that a small percent of Muslims have been driven nuts by a lack of opportunity, a religion that preaches Jihad, and little or no formal education to think that they can change the world and go to paradise by murdering people. The show is mostly about these people. Get over it.
34
Many commenters here don't seem to grasp the issue. When you hear a story, you understand that its plot is fictional - your attention is focused on it. What you don't grasp, is how real is the background of the story, which is presented as a matter of fact. It's the background, not the plot, that quietly slips in and builds your understanding of things you don't know first hand.
So whoever controls the way that background is portrayed, heavily influences the understanding that millions have of a reality they don't know first hand, and those millions are part of a public opinion that influences the decisions taken by the government. And relations with the Middle-east are not a secondary issue today.
So whoever controls the way that background is portrayed, heavily influences the understanding that millions have of a reality they don't know first hand, and those millions are part of a public opinion that influences the decisions taken by the government. And relations with the Middle-east are not a secondary issue today.
16
But millions of Americans do know about the reality of Muslim terrorism 'first hand'.
2
The series is a fantasy based on real organizations that are no less careless
and prone to inaccuracies and falsehoods.The public accepts bad behavior
from both.
and prone to inaccuracies and falsehoods.The public accepts bad behavior
from both.
2
I love subversive art like this. Mel Chin was the first to do it, when he brilliantly inserted covert, coded messages into episodes of Melrose Place. (The producers supported the project, but it was never explained or even mentioned.)
8
I never had any interest in watching this preposterous show, after finding out that the "CIA agent" has bipolar disorder. The CIA, like most security or law enforcement organizations, has rigorous screening and would never allow someone with a serious psychiatric disorder to work in the field. Perhaps as an analyst in Langley, yes, but not abroad. Anyone who buys this show's idiocies is a moron and I'm not surprised they look at Israel and think it's Beirut.
10
Of course, when Arab or Pakistani TV and film producers depict Israelis and Americans, they are very fair and objective.
41
Heh, well, fairly and objectively, we expect racism and extreme exaggeration of stereotypes from them.
2
So two wrongs make a right, huh, Cassandra? I guess Arab and Pakistani TV are what American studios should be emulating, according to you.
I enjoy Homeland but its a guilty pleasure because I do believe it confirms average American's grossest fears about Muslims. I doubt most viewers will parse through the subtle distinctions set forth by some of the commenters here. Overall the show confirms fears by painting a world where every Muslim is suspect, whether a reporter, a person sitting on a park bench or even the head of Black Ops for the CIA ("Dar Adal"). Even if there are bad American characters there are good American characters. Where are the good foreign Muslim characters? Where are the good Muslim American characters? The head of Black Ops?
13
I admit to the guilty pleasure of watching the labile CIA chief emote her way to foiling plots, both major and minor. Including the plot of her own life and what to do with it. I find her chaotically compelling.
But I didn't know the show portrayed Iran as involved in 9/11, as primary agents of that act. You can't get much more absurd to suggest that a Sunni operation by Saudi operatives with Bin Laden and co., had Shia as players. That's more than a stretch.
American lack of understanding of ME conflict and our actions and how we are regarded and why, even having a thumbnail sketch of the ME and its broad flash points, is an embarrassment.
Letterman would gently chide his audience on the subject, wryly repeating the administration line about the Arab and Near Eastern world of Persia being in conflict with us because "they hate our cable t.v."
1954 means nothing to them, nor the Paris agreements in 1917, and so misinformation follows us like a plague, as Paul Simon sang. Pop Culture references are not typically citations, tho I think you can argue that some manage to elevate forms from the mere mundane or popular, up to the elegant and sublime with a little artistry, and quite obviously an advanced academic degree isn't needed to gain a little useful perspective.
Maybe the film makers could consider the characters your comment asks about. Mandy Patinkin is given some lines, and nuance finds a way here and there. Couldn't hurt to find more of it.
But I didn't know the show portrayed Iran as involved in 9/11, as primary agents of that act. You can't get much more absurd to suggest that a Sunni operation by Saudi operatives with Bin Laden and co., had Shia as players. That's more than a stretch.
American lack of understanding of ME conflict and our actions and how we are regarded and why, even having a thumbnail sketch of the ME and its broad flash points, is an embarrassment.
Letterman would gently chide his audience on the subject, wryly repeating the administration line about the Arab and Near Eastern world of Persia being in conflict with us because "they hate our cable t.v."
1954 means nothing to them, nor the Paris agreements in 1917, and so misinformation follows us like a plague, as Paul Simon sang. Pop Culture references are not typically citations, tho I think you can argue that some manage to elevate forms from the mere mundane or popular, up to the elegant and sublime with a little artistry, and quite obviously an advanced academic degree isn't needed to gain a little useful perspective.
Maybe the film makers could consider the characters your comment asks about. Mandy Patinkin is given some lines, and nuance finds a way here and there. Couldn't hurt to find more of it.
As a regular "Homeland" viewer, I have found that the show's depiction of Irarians, Afgans, Iraquis, and muslims in general is probably consistent with the perception of the show's characters in the context of events being depicted. It is not meant to be a documentary. It is not required to be "fair" or "balanced". The show's characters are caught up in a life or death environment and
I also find the claims of pained sensitivity to perceived muslim bias disingenuous. The face of Islam today throughout the world is one of religious extremism and violence. Until the "silent 95%" of "good muslims" publicly and actively reject the default leadership of the extremists, their silence implies their consent and support with their extreme actions.
I also find the claims of pained sensitivity to perceived muslim bias disingenuous. The face of Islam today throughout the world is one of religious extremism and violence. Until the "silent 95%" of "good muslims" publicly and actively reject the default leadership of the extremists, their silence implies their consent and support with their extreme actions.
223
So funny - the artists complain about Homeland - hey - it's up to Muslims to break the stereotype- oh, and stop airing The Protocols of the Elders of Zion throughout the Arab world.
12
What is the face of American culture today? What negative aspects of our society should we, you and I, be publicly and actively rejecting each waking moment in order to not "consent and support" them, even if we don't have anything to do with them, even if we ourselves also suffer due to those same things?
Are there a billion of us?
Are there a billion of us?
Much like the silence here in America to Christian terrorism by 95% of the population implies consent and support?
Had a story of Christians beating two teens just the other day here in the U.S. One died, one in critical condition. Beaten to "drive Satan" out of them! Don't see or hear anyone demanding every major Christian organization denounce such violent terrorism, nor do I see anyone claiming all Christians must share in the blame...unlike the demands made against 95% of the world's Muslims (actually I'd put the number even higher than 95%).
Had a story of Christians beating two teens just the other day here in the U.S. One died, one in critical condition. Beaten to "drive Satan" out of them! Don't see or hear anyone demanding every major Christian organization denounce such violent terrorism, nor do I see anyone claiming all Christians must share in the blame...unlike the demands made against 95% of the world's Muslims (actually I'd put the number even higher than 95%).
1
The fact that the thin skinned people come out in full force whenever they don't like anything portrayed about the middle east in fictional Homeland is testament to what is actually wrong with the Middle eastern. And yet, the middle east itself is one of the most racist regions on earth (e.g. treatment of migrant workers (as slaves) in Saudi, UAE, Qatar etc, treatment of non-muslims in muslim majority middle eastern countries etc).
Homeland is a great show. In my experience of visiting many of those countries, the fiction in Homeland is not far from the reality of how the middle eastern countries actually are.
Homeland is a great show. In my experience of visiting many of those countries, the fiction in Homeland is not far from the reality of how the middle eastern countries actually are.
63
I have never watched this show and have no educated opinion on it. I do believe however that properly addressing the issue of Islamophobia in the mainstream entertainment media starts far further upstream than what is or is not aired on the one token show about the mideast/south asia that has reached popular success.
Real questions should be asked about what sort of scripts are being written and funded, what are the scripts being produced and why, what kinds of film and media producers are being supported and earning industry backing - those are the important questions that need to be asked as a multicultural, globalized nation that is addicted to the media.
Although great strides have been made in mainstream media in recent years, there is still a long way to go. Its only been in the past few years that we have started significant successes, depth and exposure among blacks and women in hollywood. Other groups - like Muslims - are still treated in toxic fashion. Personally, I would like to see successful and wealthy outfits like Showtime, HBO, Amazon, etc., take more risks in the kinds of productions they create. They could do a great service in expanding media treatment of Muslims (and others) far beyond the tropes that currently exist, and no doubt be entertaining and commercially successful as well.
Real questions should be asked about what sort of scripts are being written and funded, what are the scripts being produced and why, what kinds of film and media producers are being supported and earning industry backing - those are the important questions that need to be asked as a multicultural, globalized nation that is addicted to the media.
Although great strides have been made in mainstream media in recent years, there is still a long way to go. Its only been in the past few years that we have started significant successes, depth and exposure among blacks and women in hollywood. Other groups - like Muslims - are still treated in toxic fashion. Personally, I would like to see successful and wealthy outfits like Showtime, HBO, Amazon, etc., take more risks in the kinds of productions they create. They could do a great service in expanding media treatment of Muslims (and others) far beyond the tropes that currently exist, and no doubt be entertaining and commercially successful as well.
4
Nonviolent Muslims speaking out Loudly and
Consistently against the call to Jihad would be The best way to quell the media's depiction of Muslims as well as the fears of their audience.
Consistently against the call to Jihad would be The best way to quell the media's depiction of Muslims as well as the fears of their audience.
What is your definition of islamaphobia? Since Islam is a Socio-political-religious belief system that holds the oppression of women as a core belief, am I bad for being morally opposed to that? Am I fearful that large parts of the Muslim-majority world support curbs on free speech and violence towards non-believers? No I'm not afraid of that but instead I'm saddened that people get killed and detained for blasphemy in Muslim countries all the time. How about all of the not so veiled anti-semitism in the Muslim world? By your definition, I should also be guilty of Naziaphobia.
Homeland is a TV show about arabic terrorists and CIA, not about arabic math teacher and PTA. If is same level of protest by high school kid grafity on the school wall.
12
An American show that's racist and inaccurate? Come, come, this couldn't be true. Where in the world would anyone get such an idea? With the high level of knowledge of the American citizenry concerning foreign affairs and various cultures, such a notion is surely specious.
19
Exactly, Jim! Surely, Muslims on this TV show are portrayed *at least* as accurately as racial-minority citizens of the United States are portrayed! What do these people want? That foreign nationals should be portrayed more accurately than our own people are?!
How tough it must be to live in a land littered with so many unenlightened bozos. Thank you for having the bravery to exhibit such a superior intellect!
1. Congrats to the graffiti artists! They fully understand how we GSD here in the USA.
2. Homeland is a show I love to hate. The anti-Muslim stereotypes are obvious, and the depiction of a female CIA analyst/operative as being crazy is an insult to professional women everywhere. (Of course, her craziness is the central tenet of the show.) Still, I watch.
3. I'm disappointed that the commentariat here is mostly bagging on the artists for "getting paid" or agreeing to work for the show if they disagree with it so much. How do you think real change happens? You work where the problem is. Kudos to them. Also, there is a sentiment of "oh, get over it, it's just a TV show." This reflects an ignorance of how America projects its power--deliberately or not. When you control the media, you control the narrative. I would object to an Arab or Muslim show of a similar quality, broadcast to a similarly broad and influential audience, that had a terribly skewed portrayal of the US.
2. Homeland is a show I love to hate. The anti-Muslim stereotypes are obvious, and the depiction of a female CIA analyst/operative as being crazy is an insult to professional women everywhere. (Of course, her craziness is the central tenet of the show.) Still, I watch.
3. I'm disappointed that the commentariat here is mostly bagging on the artists for "getting paid" or agreeing to work for the show if they disagree with it so much. How do you think real change happens? You work where the problem is. Kudos to them. Also, there is a sentiment of "oh, get over it, it's just a TV show." This reflects an ignorance of how America projects its power--deliberately or not. When you control the media, you control the narrative. I would object to an Arab or Muslim show of a similar quality, broadcast to a similarly broad and influential audience, that had a terribly skewed portrayal of the US.
156
I have to note that you have not cited a single actual example of how the show inaccurately portrays Muslim extremists. Instead we are treated to a discourse on "real change" which is apparently brought about through censorship of the media. I suspect that much of the show is quite accurate given that no one seems to have any evidence to the contrary. I never thought about it before and I never thought that it had much to do with Muslims in America.
5
Excuse me but are you saying these portrayals are not in fact true? I find them as real as the WASPS huge mistakes playing as CIA agents. It is balanced - both sides have good and evil.
And it is after all, only a TV program however, much more interesting and challenging than most of the junk on TV now.
And it is after all, only a TV program however, much more interesting and challenging than most of the junk on TV now.
1
Kay is so correct! "How do you think real change happens? You work where the problem is." Now that I have learned that the Arabic scrawled on the walls really means “ ‘Homeland’ is racist,” “There is no ‘Homeland’ ” and “ ‘Homeland’ is not a show.” I, an countless millions of non-Arabic speaking viewers will surely be more sensitive to the feelings of the Arab world to their portrayal on Western television.
Funny Kay, that being one so politically attuned to "... how America projects its power", knowledgeable of the anti-Muslim stereotypes and aware of the anti-professional women portrayals on Homeland, "Still, I watch." I guess you're just part of the problem after all instead of the solution.
Funny Kay, that being one so politically attuned to "... how America projects its power", knowledgeable of the anti-Muslim stereotypes and aware of the anti-professional women portrayals on Homeland, "Still, I watch." I guess you're just part of the problem after all instead of the solution.
2
But the artists still cashed the check from the production company...kind of dilutes the power of their "protest"
20
No, it makes it that much better!
4
Not really. They embarrassed them AND got paid for it. Back in the day, we might have called this "power to the people."
4
It does? In what way and to what extent? Besides, given that Christian-Americans' only desire in life is to make as much money with as little effort as possible, why can't Muslim-Americans do the same, especially since the money comes from Christians?
Easy in Berlin to sabotage your own job without fear of financial repercussions. Most people would be grateful for a paycheck. In Berlin whether you work or not you can still get a check, albeit, a government one. Easy to be subversive when you don't have to pay for it. These graffiti "artists' know this well.
5
I applaud the brilliance of their protest, if not the message itself. If these artists want to bring attention to just how "wrong" Homeland is in its depiction of Islam and the Middle East, then please start by showing the world the many examples of tolerance towards gays and religious minorities, progressive women's rights, and the general rejection of violence in your countries.
What's that? Silence?
What's that? Silence?
35
In true Hollywood style, everyone got a pie to the face.
This is a sure way to get fired, and have your friends and group banned from major Hollywood studios permanently. I can see no more Muslim artists getting hired by any one anytime soon.
It also shows the producers know absolutely nothing about the subject they are portraying. Same goes for their actors, consultants and copyright lawyers.
These artists, waging a quiet Jihad against a major Hollywood studio. Even the mafia avoids a fight with Hollywood, that should have been hint enough.
Look for a nice retaliation from major studios, if you thought they were racists and stereotypically portraying you guys, you have seen nothing yet.
This is a sure way to get fired, and have your friends and group banned from major Hollywood studios permanently. I can see no more Muslim artists getting hired by any one anytime soon.
It also shows the producers know absolutely nothing about the subject they are portraying. Same goes for their actors, consultants and copyright lawyers.
These artists, waging a quiet Jihad against a major Hollywood studio. Even the mafia avoids a fight with Hollywood, that should have been hint enough.
Look for a nice retaliation from major studios, if you thought they were racists and stereotypically portraying you guys, you have seen nothing yet.
6
Right, who cares if Americans continue to cluelessly dramatize how ignorant, insular, and just plain out of it they are? On the other hand anyone expecting anything more is flat out naive. The alarming thing is that the show is taken seriously at any level.
Ms. Amin: “The framing of events and brainwashing about the region has a real impact on foreign policy because millions of people are getting their information from the show and can’t differentiate between facts and fiction,” she said. “No doubt that it looks good and is well acted, but I had boycotted the show as it is so frustrating and insulting to watch it.”
When our culture creates material like this and the press uncritically salutes it how will we ever form an intelligent informed electorate? I am constantly amazed and appalled at the juvenal perspective advanced by so many Times cultural critics. This article at least opens a window allowing a little fresh air into an arena stifling in its intellectual stagnation.
Ms. Amin: “The framing of events and brainwashing about the region has a real impact on foreign policy because millions of people are getting their information from the show and can’t differentiate between facts and fiction,” she said. “No doubt that it looks good and is well acted, but I had boycotted the show as it is so frustrating and insulting to watch it.”
When our culture creates material like this and the press uncritically salutes it how will we ever form an intelligent informed electorate? I am constantly amazed and appalled at the juvenal perspective advanced by so many Times cultural critics. This article at least opens a window allowing a little fresh air into an arena stifling in its intellectual stagnation.
10
First of all, the show is fictional, like Superman, Avengers, Hannibal. Just like I don't believe humans can fly after watching Superman, I never for one second thought it gives a realistic picture of either the CIA or the Muslim world. It used to be (season 1), however, a great story.
Second, this is a show about anti-terrorist CIA agents, not a show about everyday lives in the Muslim world. One has to acknowledge, by any Western standard, most terrorists nowadays (China included!) are from one organized religious group. Why is depicting that racist?
Third, I believe this show has enough ugly side of the CIA, the kind of dirty laundry that would deemed as "insulting". For lack of a better description, it's seems "fair and balanced".
Second, this is a show about anti-terrorist CIA agents, not a show about everyday lives in the Muslim world. One has to acknowledge, by any Western standard, most terrorists nowadays (China included!) are from one organized religious group. Why is depicting that racist?
Third, I believe this show has enough ugly side of the CIA, the kind of dirty laundry that would deemed as "insulting". For lack of a better description, it's seems "fair and balanced".
18
Quit watching this show as it is the most paranoid thing on TV, as if Dick Cheney wrote it. Who wants to be scared all the time? Good for these artists!
6
In many if not most American films, Arabs are routinely stereotyped as fanatics, extremists or wild-eyed terrorists bent on killing Americans. This cinematic portrayal of Arabs is both blatantly racist and misleading. There aren't too many other ethnic groups that can be vilified in this manner.
6
I don't know if you remember the Cold War era, but Russians and eastern Europeans were routinely depicted as harboring hatred and ill-intent towards "freedom-loving" Americans. This does not make the stereotyping of Muslims in Homeland any more acceptable, but "ethnic" or "ideologically different" villains have always been present in Hollywood productions.
Mille Mabrouk to the artists!!! This is real and original art! I love it.
7
The racist attitudes are evident in the ease with which the producers of the show were duped. When you systematically devalue whole groups of people, you are likely to ignore their feelings, and underestimate their intelligence and their ability to retaliate.
8
Admirable ideal, perhaps, but in reality, all they have
accomplished is:
1.) to eliminate future jobs for hard working artists and colleagues,
who now will have to endure intense scrutiny, if even allowed on set,
and
2.) open the door for intent by actual terrorists.
They have done all harm, and little, if any good.
accomplished is:
1.) to eliminate future jobs for hard working artists and colleagues,
who now will have to endure intense scrutiny, if even allowed on set,
and
2.) open the door for intent by actual terrorists.
They have done all harm, and little, if any good.
9
Homeland was originally an Israeli TV show -- enormously popular in the entire country a few years ago. So it comes with some baggage, as many popular things do. If the graffiti gave some people a reason to think -- or to laugh, that's OK. If you can read Arabic, you already are way beyond the stereotypes of "Homeland."
3
Ms. Amin's statement that "millions of people are getting their information from the show and can't differentiate between facts and fiction" is a very questionable statement that is impossible to prove, and demonstrates her own stereotyping, that of the show's viewers.
12
I'm reminded of a line in Fiasco by Thomas Ricks. I'd say probably the best starting point for understanding the OIF. I don't remember the exact words, but he said something like the enormity of the war was failure not of one person or institution like the White House, but of the whole system, including the media.
I'd go as far to add the school system to his list. Not a lot of people I talked to seem to actually understand international news, which is rooted in specific things that happened in the 20th century to the present more than general cultural differences rooted in things from centuries ago. I mean, Iran wouldn't be where it is today without the Shah. ISIS wouldn't around were it not for al-Maliki. Maybe you know things like this--what are the chances that your neighbor or your parents know these things?
I'd go as far to add the school system to his list. Not a lot of people I talked to seem to actually understand international news, which is rooted in specific things that happened in the 20th century to the present more than general cultural differences rooted in things from centuries ago. I mean, Iran wouldn't be where it is today without the Shah. ISIS wouldn't around were it not for al-Maliki. Maybe you know things like this--what are the chances that your neighbor or your parents know these things?
This speaks to the level of inclusivity and diversity of the writers/editors of the show. If they had more diversity and representation of Arabic speaking people on the creative team then this probably would not have become a major gaffe!
4
Yes, MASH provides a realistic insight into the Korea War, Night Court does a remarkable job of accurately depicting a real NY night court, and Little House on the Prairie is a near perfect verisimilitude of mid-19th century Midwestern life - warts and all.
Yes, I get the larger point - depicting an Old West of white cowboys shooting at nefarious Indians only to be saved by a heroic cavalry that arrives at a critical final moment not only is inaccurate but furthers stereotypical prejudices that cause real, present day harm. And, yes, several of these inaccuracies in Homeland were so obvious that even a random guy in Colorado could figure out, for example, that Shiite Iranians are hardly going to be buddies with Sunni Arab terrorists. But, on balance, the show has done an credible job, often showing reasonable origins for anti-American sentiment or nuanced characters torn between competing but unharmonized values. It just should be doing more given the predictable sensitivities of depicting a foreign culture alien to American life.
Yes, I get the larger point - depicting an Old West of white cowboys shooting at nefarious Indians only to be saved by a heroic cavalry that arrives at a critical final moment not only is inaccurate but furthers stereotypical prejudices that cause real, present day harm. And, yes, several of these inaccuracies in Homeland were so obvious that even a random guy in Colorado could figure out, for example, that Shiite Iranians are hardly going to be buddies with Sunni Arab terrorists. But, on balance, the show has done an credible job, often showing reasonable origins for anti-American sentiment or nuanced characters torn between competing but unharmonized values. It just should be doing more given the predictable sensitivities of depicting a foreign culture alien to American life.
4
“The framing of events and brainwashing about the region has a real impact on foreign policy because millions of people are getting their information from the show and can’t differentiate between facts and fiction...”
For those who insist there is nothing stereotypical or racist about Homeland, that's a conclusion most people outside the US would find hard to support. But it's not surprising to see American's acting out their disbelief.
Considering we have one major party whose most salient feature is the inability of both its candidates and their supporters to “differentiate between facts and fiction” and a counterpart that isn't very good at articulating an alternative to that sort of intellectual laziness, this is not at all surprising.
For those who insist there is nothing stereotypical or racist about Homeland, that's a conclusion most people outside the US would find hard to support. But it's not surprising to see American's acting out their disbelief.
Considering we have one major party whose most salient feature is the inability of both its candidates and their supporters to “differentiate between facts and fiction” and a counterpart that isn't very good at articulating an alternative to that sort of intellectual laziness, this is not at all surprising.
7
The average American watches more then 4 hours of TV a day. The $64,000.00 question is can we differentiate between a fictionalized account of what we see on TV from reality? Polls show that most Republicans for example think that President Obama is Muslim.
This is what makes shows like Homeland so dangerous. Homeland is well acted and well written and from many posts here have confirmed, it skews the opinions of its viewers into believing distorted and racist stereotypes of the cultures it depicts.
This is what makes shows like Homeland so dangerous. Homeland is well acted and well written and from many posts here have confirmed, it skews the opinions of its viewers into believing distorted and racist stereotypes of the cultures it depicts.
8
How could the producers of a show who are so completely oblivious and without knowledge of any of the subject matter they're fictionalizing, obviously create impression anything other than racist. I'm sure to them Arabic is not a language or iconic system of communication, rather only the symbology of hatred. That attitude alone in itself is a racist one.
8
Producer Alex Gansa's quoted response is remarkable. The producers could have been angry and threatened a lawsuit. Instead they recognized the value of the subversive graffiti and appear to welcome the feedback and dialogue. Another example of civility this week.
11
As Americans, the creators of this show have every right to depict the Middle East as they see fit. They don't have to worry about having their heads cut off for doing so. It's called freedom of expression and democracy. PC people, just change the channel.
7
Any show named "Homeland" is not only racist it is fascist. It is one of the words and phrases the Bush crowd used to justify the so called "war on terror" such as "enemy combatant", evil doers" and "preventative war". The US did fine before with the word "domestic" as in "domestic security". "Homeland" has the ring of "Fatherland" as in Nazi Germany or "Motherland" as in Russia.
11
This is a great use of graffiti. This kind of work could also be a good way to counter the rhetoric of Islamic radicalization.
11
Probably a plot by HBO. They will stop at nothing.
7
Syrian refugees are literally dying to leave the country. Multiple other parts of the Middle East are (per usual) in turmoil. Yet these artists think Homeland is the bad guy? Allah, give me a break.
36
If anyone complains about a biased portrayal, it should be the CIA. What an amoral, scheming, nefarious group they all are, Carrie included. I love this show but I know it's fiction. At least I hope it is. Enjoy, for Pete's sake.
11
Hmm. The people who hid these messages apparently had no problem making money off of it. How much are they willing to participate in taking money for something they abhor? You got to wonder how they were laughing while enjoying big ticket meals and their apartments while not being outraged at their salaries.
7
I like the sabotage, very cleverly done, but it seems sad to me to think that anyone takes a TV show seriously and thinks it's representative of real life. Like if people were to take "24" as factual, or "M*A*S*H", or "The Walking Dead", that'd be kind of crazy. Same goes for this.
That being said, the protesting graffiti artists might have considered that the show is about anti-terrorism efforts, so naturally the terrorist elements of Muslim culture are front and center. Those elements really exist, and while they might not meet on Hamra Street, they probably meet within a five mile radius of it.
Likewise Haissam Haqqani is not named for the ambassador. He's undoubtedly named for the Haqqani network, a very real insurgent group in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's a common name, and a name for a madrassa, and Jalalludin Haqqani was a major military leader who fought the Soviets. Osama bin laden was a volunteer for the Haqqanis.
So it seems to me this protest is a little off-base, because it's only a TV show, and because while there are errors like al quacky being Iranian, the overall concepts of large, dangerous jihadist groups being spread throughout Muslim lands, and so forth, are entirely accurate.
That being said, the protesting graffiti artists might have considered that the show is about anti-terrorism efforts, so naturally the terrorist elements of Muslim culture are front and center. Those elements really exist, and while they might not meet on Hamra Street, they probably meet within a five mile radius of it.
Likewise Haissam Haqqani is not named for the ambassador. He's undoubtedly named for the Haqqani network, a very real insurgent group in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's a common name, and a name for a madrassa, and Jalalludin Haqqani was a major military leader who fought the Soviets. Osama bin laden was a volunteer for the Haqqanis.
So it seems to me this protest is a little off-base, because it's only a TV show, and because while there are errors like al quacky being Iranian, the overall concepts of large, dangerous jihadist groups being spread throughout Muslim lands, and so forth, are entirely accurate.
56
Didn't "24" influence the George W. Bush administration in their belief that waterboarding would somehow get them useful intelligence?
Dear Alex,
Interesting, but not to my knowledge. "24", which I watched a few seasons of, tended to have much rougher interrogations than waterboarding, like injecting pain-amplifying drugs, shooting people in the knee, that sort of thing.
However, sometimes media does have that kind of influence, I believe "War Games" frightened Congress into passing a lot of anti-hacking bills, even though the NORAD system can't be accessed by anyone outside it, so the threat was never real.
Interesting, but not to my knowledge. "24", which I watched a few seasons of, tended to have much rougher interrogations than waterboarding, like injecting pain-amplifying drugs, shooting people in the knee, that sort of thing.
However, sometimes media does have that kind of influence, I believe "War Games" frightened Congress into passing a lot of anti-hacking bills, even though the NORAD system can't be accessed by anyone outside it, so the threat was never real.
A brilliant clandestine ruse. This clearly demonstrates the inability of large bureaucratic organizations to anticipate the actions of a highly motivated core of aggrieved opponents who surreptitiously infiltrate their operations and undermine their mission..............Notice taken.
32
Perhaps their ire would be better spent focusing on the significant numbers of people in their own community who support a culture of terrorizing others in order to maintain control rather than protest a tv show that portrays some Muslims as being extremists and terrorists. One is a problem that costs thousands their lives every year and millions to be subjected to daily tyranny. The other is a tv series that, at best, it might be argued that is insensitive in their portrayal of some Muslims.
144
Case in point of how well propoganda works.
There own community of Berlin, Germany?!
Art is meant to provoke thought and discussion. You may not like that, but in that regard they were clearly wildly successful.
But Gil Scott Heron said The Revolution would Not be televised.....
20
You win for best comment!
Racist...seriously?
No, sorry folks but you're bringing your sad ideological baggage to a train that's not accepting any passengers.
There's zip in the series that's insulting to Islam or Arabs. It's a low-brow action drama about terrorism and counter-terrorism with the bulk of the show focusing on bureaucratic intrigue. Maybe certain folks find that the show hits too close to home? Personally, I don't think very highly of Homeland and it surely doesn't inform my thinking about the Middle East, Arabs or Islam.
My advice: Take a chill pill and go find something more important to jump ugly about.
No, sorry folks but you're bringing your sad ideological baggage to a train that's not accepting any passengers.
There's zip in the series that's insulting to Islam or Arabs. It's a low-brow action drama about terrorism and counter-terrorism with the bulk of the show focusing on bureaucratic intrigue. Maybe certain folks find that the show hits too close to home? Personally, I don't think very highly of Homeland and it surely doesn't inform my thinking about the Middle East, Arabs or Islam.
My advice: Take a chill pill and go find something more important to jump ugly about.
86
Well said. Silly to pretend there are no such thing as Islamic terrorists too, that notion doesn't really fly around here.
3
I will also point out that Islam is not a race. It seems "racism" is an easy bat to swing to avoid addressing the huge problem of Islamic Terrorism.
4
Good for the artists. I still watch the show (even with its flaws).
7
What do they think the Arab media is like? Fair, balanced and objective? When I taught at a government college in Dubai--a city which projects itself as moderate--the local media accused the expat faculty of being Jews. The show's depiction of the Arab world is in fact mild compared to the disgusting reality.
213
Precisely. Churches aren't allowed in Saudi Arabia, aren't they just a nice tolerant bunch? But of course its the West that is 'oppressive' and 'racist'.
8
The issue here isn't about "them," it's about us. If others don't live up to pur expectations, that's not surprising. If we don't live up to our claimed values, that's disturbing.
For those faithful adherents of American exceptionalism, it's also not a very good argument. After all, if we should assess by and hold ourselves to the standards and customs of others, there's nothing much exceptional about what we're up to at all, is there?
For those faithful adherents of American exceptionalism, it's also not a very good argument. After all, if we should assess by and hold ourselves to the standards and customs of others, there's nothing much exceptional about what we're up to at all, is there?
3
...so the solution to Middle Eastern propaganda in media is racially insensitive and factually inaccurate American fiction masquerading as something that's supposedly based on real life places and conflicts? How do you figure that?
3
I'm sympathetic to their complaint, but since when has any TV show or Hollywood movie accurately depicted anything?
62
I guess you haven't spent much time in the Middle East.
19
The artists protest the show's depiction of reality as unreal and misguided... Yet accept employment to contribute their talent in creating a visual depiction of a world to look as real as possible to viewers. Enablers.
18
It's a television show, for crying out loud. If you don't like it, don't watch it.
If it offends some Muslims, or anyone else, who cares? Maybe they should spend their time on something more substantial. I also assume that the graffiti artists got paid.
If it offends some Muslims, or anyone else, who cares? Maybe they should spend their time on something more substantial. I also assume that the graffiti artists got paid.
98
Under your rationale, if there were a show depicting Hitler as a humanitarian who simply sought to achieve full employment for the Jewish people of Western Europe, we should just say, "Tut, tut, it's only a TV show." And then we should just turn off the TV if we don't like it, as though it were a consumer choice of which mayonnaise to buy at the supermarket.
3
Did they accept money from the show to do their work? I would imagine so. They were able to profit off of it nicely. And they get to harm the people who trusted them to do the job they were hired to do! And they also get kudos from others for it!! How amazing nice for them is that?
An ethical stance would have been to refuse to participate and make it explicit why.
An ethical stance would have been to refuse to participate and make it explicit why.
269
No, the ethical stance was to prove that you could be paid for producing something which was wholly false and have it shown on that show to unwitting people who knew no better. That's the point and they made it. You've missed the point. You make it sound like the issue is whether they got paid. But that's not the point at all.
6
But that would not have publicized the issue as effectively.
6
Yes, just like explicit discussion of, for example, the Palestine issue is so well received and those who voice horror at the Israeli government and their heinous right-wing government-sanctioned terrorist activities over the Palestinian people... as opposed to being miscategorized as anti-Jewish and waved out of the room. Because the U.S. is so unbiased Muslims and not at all Islamophobic that they will actually welcome the open discussion. As you see everyday, no? You must live in a different West than I do...
5
And the really funny thing is that the Israeli original series was exceptional in every way, including complex and deeply human Muslim characters and a savage look at how all militaries eat their own...
I'm getting really tired of Carrie tossing a schmatteh casually over her head and running off to save the world, badly. It's a little hard to believe that even the CIA can't find another sharp analyst who doesn't need a lithium drip to keep her from derailing every fifteen minutes.
Why must every American remake or reinterpretation of a foreign original be dumbed down so much that kindergartners ought to be laughing?
I'm getting really tired of Carrie tossing a schmatteh casually over her head and running off to save the world, badly. It's a little hard to believe that even the CIA can't find another sharp analyst who doesn't need a lithium drip to keep her from derailing every fifteen minutes.
Why must every American remake or reinterpretation of a foreign original be dumbed down so much that kindergartners ought to be laughing?
86
Amin took the money from the show, so she is not a hero, but only contributing to the stereotypes. "No need to be honorable, just lie and cheat your way through. If they fall for it, then they deserved it."
74
If you think the artists were not honorable, please tell me then how they should have proceeded? "OK, I accept the graffiti job, but I won't take your money because what I really want to do is subvert your show..."
1
So they make a show called Dachau that depicts the guards as really nice people doing a good job. And there is graffiti on the wall of the barracks in this show in Hebrew which reads, "These show is a fiction." And you can't read this graffiti, but those who read Hebrew can read this "coded" commentary on the show. Now the story comes out in the press and you say that the person who wrote this "fake graffiti" in Hebrew is a cheat and a thief because he took the show's money and wrote a critique of the show that viewers could see. I don't believe for a second that you would feel that way in such a situation.
6
How is it lying and cheating? Did she expressly say she was painting X and surreptitiously did Y? Clearly not, otherwise someone (presumably?) would have bothered to have someone around who could read/check it.
She is an artists. Artists need to make a living just like everyone else. Their work is meant to be subversive, pointed, to stimulate conversation. I suppose you think satirists and writers should also tow the line?
She is an artists. Artists need to make a living just like everyone else. Their work is meant to be subversive, pointed, to stimulate conversation. I suppose you think satirists and writers should also tow the line?
As someone who grew up a few blocks from Hamra Street in Beirut, and spent many hours of my childhood visiting the (entirely safe and ordinary) stores and movie theaters of Hamra Street, I say bravo to this hack.
141
Ah yes, Beirut has never seen incidents of terrorism, or holding people hostage, or vast bombing campaigns, or massive invasions and civil war. No, Beirut is far more peaceful than Toledo, Ohio, as everyone knows.
114
That was probably when Beirut was called the Paris of the Mid East--sadly, no time recently.
5
Martin said he grew up near Hamra Street and bravo to the artist. Who said anything about Beirut being problem-free?
This is so annoying... Thanks for pointing these things out to the non-Arabic viewership. I've seen this on tv shows many times in the context of my own 'homeland' and native language, and will just never understand how such high caliber, well-produced shows can be so sloppy. I mean, even I realized that some of the representations of places and nationalities/ethnicity seem extremely oversimplified, and I'm really not familiar with the region or languages. It's stupid but also grossly negligent due to how many people shape political pictures in their heads based on tv shows, especially shows who come off as taking themselves so serious. Lame. Lame. Lame. Don't need to be watching this.
39
The producers of the movie "Pearl Harbor" decided to remove any indication of people smoking.
No one is seen puffing away although that's what most of the participants and most of the U.S. did at that time.
The only time you see tobacco is when one sailor gives out a box of cigars because his wife has given birth to a boy.
A good movie put historically falsified.
She says she boycotted the show...yet she had no problem taking money from the show for her art.
179
She should have no problem taking profits from exploitative Hollywood productions. Whatever she does with that money is 100 times better than leaving it on the table.
2
Isn't that what House members do who want to shut down the government, but have no problem taking millions in federal disaster funds when their state gets clobbered by a natural disaster?
3
A few people have made this argument, but here's the problem: She was hired to add an air of authenticity to the setting. I would say that not only the look, but the content is more "authentic" than the producers could have hoped for. The free promotion here (and elsewhere) will be more than payback. I'd think that modern Muslims would/should rail against stereotypical depictions through the use of subversive street art. Even the creator mentioned (begrudging and PR shaped though it was) that this was in the spirit of the show itself. She's made her point and the conversation is opened (as it should be). In my book this is a win/win.
11
Interesting. But in my opinion the show is relentlessly realistic (within the confines of its dramatic arcs). It necessarily focuses on some of the bad guys because that conflict is what the show is about, and there obviously are some people like that in the real world. At the same time the show depicts many Muslims who are perfectly good people.
148
How many Aran speaking countries have you visited? Of those, how many American viewers of Homeland have visited an Arab speaking country?
Are we basing our opinions of other countries based upon what we see in the news and on TV and movies?
Are we basing our opinions of other countries based upon what we see in the news and on TV and movies?
Agreed.
Very hard to think that the CIA has "realistically" many agents like Carrie, who is barely in control of herself in previous seasons, and who are huge liabilities. entertainment, not realism.
I find the most cringeworthy parts of Homeland to be the scenes where they have Arabs/Pakistanis speaking in Arabic/Urdu. Anyone who actually knows Arabic and/or Urdu will feel like the actors have almost no comprehension of what they are saying, and speak in a terrible, ridiculous accent. I think they shoot large parts of the show in Germany and South Africa, and they pick up actors who look middle eastern but don't actually know the language. How difficult can it be to find actors who can actually speak the language in a real accent?
137
This aspect is par for the course in Hollywood. They still portray Asians according to dopey 1950s stereotypes. They generally cannot even find a good Japanese actor, so they had to hire a Chinese to perfrom in "Memoir of a Geisha."
6
Good luck with that one! Most American Southern accents on TV/Film sound either like Forrest Gump with a mouthful of marbles or Barney Fife. And they are supposed to be speaking English! ha ha
2
Ditto for Native Americans- only I would suggest the stereotypes are MUCH older!
2
It's nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks and has thought for 2 seasons that this show is racist and just insulting in its portrayal of Muslims and the Muslim world under the guise of reportage filming so it is likely mistaken as reality. I also think it's wrong to meddle with events that are happening now in danger of inflaming further conflict. Things are dicey enough. As an Iranian American it's blaming of Iran for Al Qaeda and it's backward depiction of the country deeply offended me.
181
it's a TV show about terrorists.
Unless the chinese or hindus or buddhist start blowing up stuff around the world, this is all they have.
If they had tv during the time of the crusades, they would have a show showing magical kings/emperors (they still did- the Tudors)
Unless the chinese or hindus or buddhist start blowing up stuff around the world, this is all they have.
If they had tv during the time of the crusades, they would have a show showing magical kings/emperors (they still did- the Tudors)
39
The show is shot on location. The filth and rubble you see is authentic.
6
Maybe a show about white terrorists shooting up schools and movie theaters should be put on the air to better feed your appetite for "authentic" drama...
3
I just dont see it. I have found the show's portrayal of the Islamic world to be nuanced, showing diversity and complexity and expressing sympathy. I think it's an obvious attempt to provide balance to the Islamaphobic mainstream views found elsewhere, and that it generally succeeds. It is also critical of the west in many ways. Certainly, most of the villains (but not all) are muslim, but there are many muslim characters portrayed as virtuous.
156
No doubt it's better than Fox News. But what about depicting cosmopolitan, touristy Hamra Street as a center of violence? Or suggesting Shiite Iran was a stealth partner of Sunni Al Quaeda?
20
But---you're in Los Angeles. I have not seen the show, but it seems to me that if people who live in another country are offended at portrayals of themselves by people and funds from our country, that since it is THEIR country and their people, they have a better ability to understand how that nuance can be used to mask racism. Ideas can hide inside of ideas, and are sometimes very clever. Sort of like how cable news can pair a conservative with a liberal, and influence the viewer by choosing a handsome, well-spoken conservative and dorky-looking liberal who isn't well-spoken and charismatic. They can say, though, "we presented the other side" while manipulating audience reaction through devices like this.
7
Johnny, I haven't seen Homeland but my question is are any Americans portrayed as "non-virtuous".
Given how much we have contributed to the chaos in the Middle East over the last 70 years, a balanced portrayal should show just have much blood in the Middle East and elsewhere that America is responsible for.
Given how much we have contributed to the chaos in the Middle East over the last 70 years, a balanced portrayal should show just have much blood in the Middle East and elsewhere that America is responsible for.
1
They are upset that scenes were filled in Israel. Are they aware that this show is the American version of an Israeli program?
63
So what? It may be based on an Israeli program, but it is not an Israeli production and the scene in question did not take place in Israel. I think the complaint about filming in Israel is a bit silly, but your response is totally irrelevant.
2
Get a life. It's a well written TV show, fictionalized for entertainment. PC crowd go away.
154
I agree with you, Rick. Sorry to offend those sensibilities, but the show is entertainment and should not yield to the sensibilities of the supersensitive PC crowd.
12
As someone who is an editor and works in the industry, I know exactly how shows manipulate their audiences via writing and editing. Impressions are created on an American audience, many of whom may have never left the United States? What does that say about us?
Quiz an American on whether they'd visit an Arab speaking country, and you're bound to get a negative response.
Quiz an American on whether they'd visit an Arab speaking country, and you're bound to get a negative response.
3
Right, who cares if Americans continue to cluelessly dramatize how ignorant, insular, and just plain out of it they are? On the other hand anyone expecting anything more is flat out naive. The alarming thing is that the show is taken seriously at any level.
Ms. Amin: “The framing of events and brainwashing about the region has a real impact on foreign policy because millions of people are getting their information from the show and can’t differentiate between facts and fiction,” she said. “No doubt that it looks good and is well acted, but I had boycotted the show as it is so frustrating and insulting to watch it.”
Ms. Amin: “The framing of events and brainwashing about the region has a real impact on foreign policy because millions of people are getting their information from the show and can’t differentiate between facts and fiction,” she said. “No doubt that it looks good and is well acted, but I had boycotted the show as it is so frustrating and insulting to watch it.”
5
As soon as Saul hears about this, Quinn will be on the move.
100
Smile. Well played, Mr. Haas, well played.
1
This is funny. Good for them! I still like the show, however.
9
pitch perfect and hysterical!!
congratulations to the artists - Heba Amin, Caram Kapp, and Stone!
congratulations to the artists - Heba Amin, Caram Kapp, and Stone!
152
No heroes here.
Take it as a given that the show is racist. These artists still had no right to sabotage the artistic work of another. Especially when they had been hired and paid to work on it. They should've vented their "political discontent" by issuing a press release in which they refused the job, stated their reasons for doing so, & urged potential viewers to boycott the show.
As it is, these "heroes" have committed the crime of vandalism, & possibly other crimes. If they see themselves as engaging in a form of civil disobedience, then they should proudly plead guilty and go to jail for these crimes. The producers also have a right to sue them for breach of contract.
Take it as a given that the show is racist. These artists still had no right to sabotage the artistic work of another. Especially when they had been hired and paid to work on it. They should've vented their "political discontent" by issuing a press release in which they refused the job, stated their reasons for doing so, & urged potential viewers to boycott the show.
As it is, these "heroes" have committed the crime of vandalism, & possibly other crimes. If they see themselves as engaging in a form of civil disobedience, then they should proudly plead guilty and go to jail for these crimes. The producers also have a right to sue them for breach of contract.
9
I know! I just LOVE Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, etc, and all their leaders! They are nice to women, girls, minorities, gays, lesbians, other religions, other Muslim sects, and respectful of difference of opinion! They are just a different culture! No different than here! In fact, they are BETTER! You, Ellen, would be allowed to drive in many of the countries, for example. Oh, and I almost forgot. They love Jewish people.
25
It's a TV show for crying out loud, not a documentary, not real in any sense of the word. It's a contrivance for entertainment purposes, with no obligation to reflect reality other than the one in the minds of the writers. People quibbling because they want authenticity in their make-believe really should get out more. Why not complain about the happy people with perfect lives in the commercials then? Why not rail that there aren't really any talking geckos who sell insurance? Or foxes who sell cars? And then there's those bears with toilet paper. Sheesh, folks, get over it! I'm a huge fan of good graffiti, but this is just ridiculous. We'd all be better off complaining, justifiably, about the "news" being merely infotainment. There's a real problem to ponder.
1