The Making of Arab Stereotypes: Racist Portrayals in Political Cartoons during the 1970s Oil Crisis

Abstract

The 1973 oil crisis, a period marked by tensions following the Yom Kippur War and the subsequent Arab oil embargo, was a pivotal, global event with far-reaching economic and political consequences. Political cartoons played a significant role in influencing public opinion and shaping Western perspectives about Arabs and the Muslim world during this time. Many of these depictions resorted to negative stereotyping and vilifying Arabs. This research examines these portrayals by analyzing sixty-eight political cartoons from twenty-nine Western newspapers and magazines. These depictions, conceptualized here, characterized Arabs as violent, arrogant, rich, and indifferent to humanity, contributing to the propagation of long-standing stereotypes. The cartoons also depicted oil as a weapon wielded by Arabs, reinforcing biased perspectives that contrast starkly with the complex reality of Arab societies. This study highlights the influential role of media in shaping public perspectives and underscoring the need for balanced, nuanced portrayals in media representations.