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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Professor Emeritus Jack Shaheen, PhD, a renowned expert on racial stereotyping of marginalized groups such as Arab and Muslim people, returned to campus for a special conversation to conclude the Department of Mass Communication’s “Diversity Amidst Adversity” series.

In his talk, held Thursday, April 6 in Katherine Dunham Hall Theater, Shaheen took the audience on a look back through his life’s work. For decades, he has worked to identify and shatter harmful stereotypes portrayed in popular media, specifically of Arab and Muslim people.

“Hollywood has frequently depicted its images of Arabs and Muslims as devils,” Shaheen said. “These images have been hardwired into our psyches. Media images continue to teach us whom to love and to hate. In spite of this virus of hate that pollutes our minds, I am optimistic. I have faith in our young scholars and image makers. I think the future belongs to them.”

Shaheen, who holds degrees from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Missouri, has been the recipient of two Fulbright teaching awards.

Over the course of his career, he has written three books on the topic, including “The TV Arab,” “Guilty: Hollywood’s Verdict on Arabs after 9/11,” as well as the award-winning “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People.”

His writings include more than 300 essays that have appeared in publications such as The Washington Post, Newsweek and The Wall Street Journal. His work has also been featured in more than 40 college textbooks.

Additionally, Shaheen has spoken on numerous national programs and talk shows, and consulted for institutions such as the United Nations and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“As a committed internationalist and a devoted humanist, Dr. Shaheen is considered to be a legend on our campus,” Greg Budzban, PhD, dean of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, said in his introduction. “It is great to have him back at SIUE for this event.”

Along with his speaking engagement, his critically acclaimed exhibit, “A is for Arab,” was displayed in the Dunham Hall Theater foyer.

Originally inspired by a children’s alphabet book Shaheen had viewed in the Edwardsville Public Library during his time in the city, the exhibit showcases and visually deconstructs stereotypes of Muslim and Arabs found in Western media. The artifacts, images and films referenced in the exhibit are now part of the Jack G. Shaheen Archive at New York University.

“I always say that the worst thing you could do is to remain silent about these issues,” Shaheen said. “If you can do something to change even one person’s mind, you have done your job.”

Central to SIUE’s exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences has 19 departments and 85 areas of study. More than 300 full-time faculty/instructors deliver classes to more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty help students explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.

Photo: Dr. Jack Shaheen.