“Look at Me, I Am the Captain Now": Media Representations of Somalis and Their Implications
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 271
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Media Representations, Somalis, Non-Somali Perceptions
Abstract
Popular media representations of Somalis, such as the Hollywood blockbuster film, Captain Phillips, affect both Somali and non-Somali perceptions of Somali men and women. In our research, we review such media representations, which emphasize drug abuse, violence, and criminality among and by Somalis. Captain Phillips, for example, depicts Somalis in a controversial light, portraying them as barbarians, savages, and uncivilized, in a storyline which glorifies American triumph. In a combined reflective and impressionistic style of video production, we use the camera as a catalyst to solicit reactions from both Somali and non-Somali students at Central Washington University. We analyze and visually represent the different stereotypical images as well as capture student reactions. Somali students in the United States retain strong ties with their homeland and, therefore, are bound to view representations like Captain Phillips through a more complex perspective than non-Somali students. Furthermore, they are likely to view Captain Phillips' perspectives as one dimensional, predictable, flat and shallow, whereas non-Somali students in the United States may view this film as truth and fact, and hail Captain Phillips' efforts as heroic and patriotic.
Recommended Citation
Mohamed, Saeed and Lemkus, Clint, "“Look at Me, I Am the Captain Now": Media Representations of Somalis and Their Implications" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 101.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/oralpresentations/101
Department/Program
Individual Studies
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology & Museum Studies
“Look at Me, I Am the Captain Now": Media Representations of Somalis and Their Implications
SURC 271
Popular media representations of Somalis, such as the Hollywood blockbuster film, Captain Phillips, affect both Somali and non-Somali perceptions of Somali men and women. In our research, we review such media representations, which emphasize drug abuse, violence, and criminality among and by Somalis. Captain Phillips, for example, depicts Somalis in a controversial light, portraying them as barbarians, savages, and uncivilized, in a storyline which glorifies American triumph. In a combined reflective and impressionistic style of video production, we use the camera as a catalyst to solicit reactions from both Somali and non-Somali students at Central Washington University. We analyze and visually represent the different stereotypical images as well as capture student reactions. Somali students in the United States retain strong ties with their homeland and, therefore, are bound to view representations like Captain Phillips through a more complex perspective than non-Somali students. Furthermore, they are likely to view Captain Phillips' perspectives as one dimensional, predictable, flat and shallow, whereas non-Somali students in the United States may view this film as truth and fact, and hail Captain Phillips' efforts as heroic and patriotic.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Lene Pedersen