Drawing Conclusions: How Political Cartoons Shape Western Opinions of the Middle East and Islam

Reading: Old Pictures in New Frames: Images of Islam and Muslims in Post World War II American Political Cartoons by Christina Michelmore

As the title suggests, this article discusses how political cartoons since World War II have shaped (or rather, reinforced) Western views of the Middle East, and more specifically, Islam itself.

The religious figure on the left is saying: "violence is wrong."
The Muslim figure on the right is saying: "take it back or I'll kill you!!!"

It is almost cliche to hear that the media has massive amounts of influence in shaping an individual's opinions, paradigms, and culture; so much so that the idea has seemingly lost its impact.  This is true mostly of TV, movies, and music today, but political cartoons have had, and continue to have, the largest impact in shaping opinions.  This is because, according to the author, one does not need to "read" a political cartoon to understand it, but rather the cartoon speaks to you and can "tell readers what to think and how to feel about what is happening"(p. 37).  It is this image-feeling association that has the largest impact on shaping opinions generally, and political views, specifically.

Political cartoons are able achieve this because of their very nature: succinct.  To reach the largest audience, the artist must draw a cartoon that can be both easily understood and must generalize subject matter for easy recognition.  Take, for instance, the cartoon above; the figure on the right is a menacing, black-clad, shadowy, evil Muslim figure complete with a giant Scimitar, great black beard, and turban.  While the figure on the left, presumably a Christian figure judging by the papal-style clothing, is shrouded in white and is on the "light" side of the picture.  What is the message in this cartoon?  What conclusion is one led to about these two figures generally, and the two religions represented, specifically?  When one answers these questions, it is hard to deny both the impact that these types of images have on a person, and the level of control artists have in shaping opinions and/or beliefs.

Political cartoons created and displayed in the United States have been used to progress foreign policy and shape public opinion about conflicts in the Middle East.  Particular focus has been payed on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and on the demonization of leaders of oil-rich states within the region.

*Note the minaret in the background

What is this cartoon's message? While it may seem obvious to some that it is declaring that Hamas, the Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip, is militant and violent (even to the point of killing their own women and children), there are many, more subtle features of this cartoon that are worthy of mention.  For instance, once again we see a bearded, turban-wearing, menacing, presumably Arab man strapping bombs on a baby while a silent, burka-clad woman passively stands by.  This cartoon isn't just about Hamas, whether or not it was intended to be.  This cartoon is projecting an image about Islam and a notion of "people who look like this, do this."