Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media (Sightlines) [Hardcover]

Ella Shohat (Author), Robert Stam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0415063248 | ISBN-13: 978-0415063241

Unthinking Eurocentrism explores issues of Eurocentrism and multiculturalism in relation to popular culture, film and the mass media. The book 'multiculturalizes' media studies by looking at Hollywood movie genres such as the western, the musical and the imperial film from multicultural perspectives, examining issues from the racial politics of casting to colonialist discourse and gender and Empire.
More than just a critique of Eurocentrism and racism, Unthinking Eurocentrism also confirms artistic, cultural and political alternatives, discussing a wide range of non-Eurocentric media including Third World films, rap video and indigenous media. Synthesising literary theory, meida theory and cultural studies to form a challenging interdisciplinary study, the authors argue that current debatess about Eurocentrism and Afrocentrism are merely surface manifestations of a deep-rooted shift: the decolonisation of global culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I find Shohat/Stam's work brilliant, original, exhilerating.
–Edward Said, Columbia University

The extraordinary range of historical reference and critical polemic in this comprehensive study clears the air around some of the smokiest debates of the day. Shoat and Stam's remarkably sane approach heralds a new and honest future for film and media analysis.
–Andrew Ross, author of Strange Weather

...an invaluable resource for media scholars and academics.
–Jump Cut

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (November 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415063248
• ISBN-13: 978-0415063241
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,750,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely liberated my indoctrinated western worldview. January 23, 2012

By Freedom Thinks

Format:Paperback

I ordered this when I about 18 or 19 years old after being vaguely introduced to the concept of "Eurocentrism." After barely reading half of it my mind exploded with a deep conscious awakening to the indoctrination, biased perspectives, and Eurocentric/Western world views I held that attributed to my own American nationalistic arrogance and lesser regard for the "undeveloped Third World countries." It challenged my views regarding world history, cultural psychology, philosophy, economics, religion, politics, and America's Prussian education system. It spawned my intellectual growth spurt, prompting me to become an avid reader and researcher, seeker of understanding the world around me and not denying it's truths when revealed. I recommend this book to every adult PERIOD.

14 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Majestic, empowering work March 31, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

As a social science student, I found this book invaluable in its incisive exposure of Eurocentrism. The authors treat the subject in a mature manner, and offer an alternative, that of decentering the discussion and making it multi-centric rather than Euro-centric. This book is sensitively written and does not offend Europeans, but seeks to reveal the hidden ways in which Eurocentrism manifests itself. I experienced the reading of this book as liberating and as a validation of my own thinking. I read a university library copy, but I intend to purchase a copy for my children to read - and to refer back to time and time again. It is a timeless work.

4 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Provocative, Seminal Work June 3, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I started reading Unthinking Eurocentrism one night and couldn't sleep until I had finished it. Shohat and Stam's briliantly written, often witty, book is an intellectual page turner. I plan to read it again.