Harnessing the potential of social media to promote an Arab-centric understanding of Middle East Affairs

It has been nearly a generation since Edward Said, Michel Foucault and Homi Bhabha pointed out the invariable effects of the dominant discourse on the ‘other’, such as the stereotyped depiction of the Arab world in the global media. This essay argues that one of the reasons for the entrenched stereotypes relate to a historical colonial and imperial power matrix. It excavates a few of these critical ideas and queries whether the limitations of social media on the dominant discourse can be understood through this theoretical lens. It aims to provide a better understanding of how a more Arab-centric understanding of Middle East affairs can be fostered through social media.