Unveiling the Invasion of Afghanistan : Analysis and Creative Collection of the Media Coverage Surrounding Muslim and Afghan Women through Orientalist and Imperialist Frameworks

Abstract

This project aims to shed a brief light on the ways in which U.S. media coverage of Muslims post-September 11, 2001 was inherently negative and used orientalist and imperialist stereotypes and caricatures of Muslims, Muslim women, and Afghan women in order to build public support and justification for the United States invasion of Afghanistan and continued military intervention in the region. In addition, the circulation of these negative narratives, specifically those referencing Muslim women, is impactful and leads to negative perceptions of the Muslim community and lends itself to the support of harmful policies and unjust apathy. Furthermore, this work emphasizes the ways in which Afghan women in particular were portrayed through an orientalist lens as inherently oppressed women who needed rescuing, promoting the U.S. invasion as their needed savior. The second part of this project delves into a brief collection of creative works from the author that aims to bring light to the emotions and experiences of a young Muslim woman growing up in the post-9/11 era.