Alien Encounters & Dogmas Of The West

Both of the texts highlights how Eastern cultures are viewed in the west: exotified and objectified. Westerners see Eastern culture as mystical and connected to past, which reinforces the idea that Asian cultures are backwards and also reinforces white supremacy. The trope of Asian people and culture being mystifying is prevalent throughout western popular culture, for example Star Wars.In Star Wars, the concept of the jedi and the force are heavily influenced by Asian culture, but there are barely any Asian characters in Star Wars. Western culture wants Asian ideas and objects but not Asian people. This appropriation is also especially prevalent in white counterculture. In the 1960's, hippie culture appropriated much of Asian and Native American culture, seeing that it made them "spiritual" and "connected to the Earth". That also reinforces white supremacy ideas, perpetuating the stereotype of Asian cultures as backwards. Even today, "chic" and "bohemian" outfits primarily worn by rich hipster white girls still profit off of Asian cultures. Stores like Urban Outfitters are run by white people, selling Asian cultures to primarily white people.