With heightened instability in the Middle East, the media has played a vital role in laying out what seems to be the groundwork for many contradictions, biases, and much animosity toward those of Arab descent. The question that needs to be addressed is how the popular media has portrayed the Arabs worldwide and what effects this has on its youth.

There are many sides to the story, but a stronger sense of awareness might be a big step toward tackling the issues of identity and pride, and some much needed positive reinforcements within the Arab youth.

In an interview with youths aged between 10 and 18, from different Arab nationalities and backgrounds, they were asked whether they see more positive images of Arabs in the popular media. Almost all said they rarely see images of Arabs in a favorable light, especially post-Sept. 11. “I am just sick and tired of hearing terrorist this and terrorist that. It’s as if the definition terrorist means Arab,” one of them said.

The youths interviewed expressed deep concern about the future of Arab generations to come. Being bombarded by constant pessimism has definitely taken its toll. One said that even though many youths may not fully realize the severity of the problem, it is there consciously or subconsciously. “You find yourself questioning your own identity as an Arab through what you see on TV, even if you disagree with it.”

Many said soul-searching is needed to bring about reform and change in the Arab world, but to be ashamed of who you are, your culture, and what you represent is another thing entirely. All agree that there are many contributions that Arabs have made throughout history and are still making, but as one of those interviewed noted, “In the Western media we are still being seen and treated as social outcasts.”

Over the past 50 years, Arabs have been written into TV scripts as either groups of terrorists, bombers, billionaires, covetous oil sheikhs, war-mongers, belly dancers or as sly, sneaky hagglers in bazaars. Jack. G. Shaheen, author of “TV Arabs and Real Bad Arabs,” examined over 1,000 films in which Arabs are portrayed stereotypically.

According to Shaheen, no other group has been more vilified on screen than Arabs. It’s not that an Arab should never be portrayed as a villain, but almost all Hollywood depictions of Arabs, according to his research, are bad ones. Children’s cartoon shows and series that target impressionable minds with the Arab stereotype include Disney’s “Aladdin” (“The evil manipulating Jaffar character is the only character with exaggerated Arab features, and Princess Jasmine’s attire is that of a belly dancer”), Bugs Bunny (“escapes from being boiled in oil by satisfying the whims of a sheik with an unnamed goat”), Porky Pig (“Ali Baba dumps a black-hearted Arab into a barrel of syrup”), and “The Three Stooges comedy shorts like Mummy Dummies, Malice in the Palace, Rumpus in the Harem and Three Arabian Nuts,” and US news networks like Fox News, which have been accused of bias toward Arabs and Muslims — just to name a few. Both commercial and public television have broadcast very few genuine depictions of Arabs as people with feelings, concerns, and problems similar to those of any other ethnic group.

Despite all the negative images and bad press, there have been many milestones crossed and barriers broken by extraordinary Arabs who have given a great deal in their ceaseless efforts for humanity and civil decency. Such examples are Palestinian spokeswoman Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, poet Khalil Jibran, writer and Professor Jack G. Shaheen, head of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) James Abourezk, Queen Rania of Jordan and others.

We have only touched the tip of the iceberg; more action needs to be taken. Young Arabs still need to see more positive Arab images and inspirational role models to look up to and learn from. Lack of balance in portrayal will only lead to damage in the social, political and economic arenas for future Arab generations. The outcome should be a sense of pride in our own Arab identity.

* * *

(Fatima Ageel is an Arab student in Boston.)