Final answer:
Stereotypes on U.S. television of Middle Easterners, influenced by historical orientalism, portray them as irrational, violent, fanatical, sex-crazed, wealthy, or barbaric. These portrayals contribute to a widespread misunderstanding and dehumanization of Middle Eastern culture and ignore their historical contributions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stereotypes of Middle Easterners and Middle Eastern culture on U.S. television perpetuate a widespread misunderstanding of this diverse and rich culture. Often, these media portrayals are influenced by historical orientalism, which paints Middle Eastern societies as mystical and irrational, leading to harmful and inaccurate representations.
Historically, Middle Easterners have been stereotyped as irrational, violent, and fanatical, especially in light of events and political narratives post-September 11, 2001. This has greatly contributed to the misconception that all people from the Middle East are a monolithic group primarily characterized by extremism or violence, as portrayed in many American movies and political rhetoric. Additionally, portrayals of Middle Easterners as sex-crazed, likening women to sexualized belly dancers or oppressed victims, further contribute to the dehumanization and oversimplification of these cultures.
It is also quite common to find stereotypes depicting Middle Easterners as wealthy oil tycoons, or as inherently barbaric, reflecting deeply entrenched orientalist views that go back centuries. Such stereotypes ignore the vast intellectual, scientific, and cultural contributions of Middle Eastern societies throughout history.