Greg Demetriou 

When reading this week I first thought of the difference between the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and the modern war on terror. I am not trying to state fact of make assumptions but I felt it was important to articulate my thoughts on these discrepancies. These discrepancies lead me to believe that the U.S. uses globalization as a tool to legitimatize its efforts in developing the perceptions of its citizens. It was important to show this image of “The Afghan Girl Case Study” in 1985 as a victim of the Soviets Union greed and animosity. It was important for American citizens to see these women as victims of this country because it enabled our government to intervene. That is to say, when America’s enemy was the Soviet Union it was important to use images of the people affected to ensure the American people that their government was doing the humane thing in this specific case. As I continued reading and thought about National Geographic going revisiting this same issue the enemy of these women had changed. Instead of seeing these women as victims of the Soviet Union they are presented in a different light. Because of September 11^th these women are projected as victims of an irrational religion.

The oppression that these women face is articulated as technicalities of religion, when they were previously identified as victims of communism and the Soviet Union. I am not trying to say anything specific about the religion of Islam. I am merely stating how this is a legitimate case of American media dictating perceptions. Now that America is fighting a war on Terror the most visible differences between white American citizens and the perceived terrorists is religion. Because America wants its citizens to be supportive of the war, this difference was the most visible area of media. By articulating the discrepancies between this religion and everyday American life the people who claim this faith are ostracized because most Americans associate difference with disdain. I feel its important to understand this connection between the 1985 and 2002 portrayal of these women because it is a perfect example of how American’s combat ignorance by consuming bias media.

This serves as an additional testament to the importance of economics in society. Anytime America is involved in foreign conflict they spin their cause as just and fair. The American people see the military efforts of their country as a precaution in ensuring freedom for its people. The economic intentions behind the efforts of Government and Military are never articulated. This compels citizens to support their efforts, and as long as the people support the military they are ok with government spending all the money it needs to in order to win. This support is important but would it exist if the government explained their true intentions. When I look back keeping the soviets out of Afghanistan seems like a power play for oil more than a nations willingness to help. I do not claim to have an advance understanding of economics or history, but my opinions on the efforts of America’s government have been manipulated by this reading. The author testifies to this perfectly when she explains the images of Arab women have been “distilled down to a few basic elements or props.” (pg. 184) The presentation of anything foreign is manipulated and reduced to a presentation of bias.