***This analysis evaluates Saids article The Politics of Knowledge.

An Explication of Said
Edward Saids article, The Politics of Knowledge seeks to understand the relation of literary
criticism to politics. While the article uses key examples of Eurocentrism and Orientalism to
show the complexities of the subject, his theories serve to demonstrate the reasons for remaining
racist policy and behavior due to assertion of identity. To show this idea, I will explicate the first
two paragraphs on page 194 where he discusses the concept of the rendezvous of victory
(194).
Earlier in the article, Said discusses the increasing emphasis placed on national identity and the
product of nationalism. While constructed meanings of political identity may be arbitrarily
centered on uncontrollable factors such as birth into certain geographical locations,
socioeconomic statuses, and ethnicity, he expands that they are the basis for nations, traditions,
and other cultural constructs (192). With an increasing emphasis placed on these politics,
nationalism has guided imperialist language and mindsets contributing to hegemonic policymaking. However, doses of nationalism also serve to counteract oppressive regimes as it is the
mode of rebellion against conquerors. It is a necessary spur to revolt against the colonizer
(193). Yet Said goes on to explain that it eventually must be replaced by a social consciousness
(193). This could be for more than one reason. First, nationality could be conceived as cyclical,
in which, if nationalism is not silenced following the autonomous movements, those new
cultures could potentially develop into hegemonic nations. Second, should the movement not be
completely effective, it may develop a sense of mock autonomy (193). Mock autonomy creates
complacency in domination as cultures appear to be in control of their identity, but their
subversive tactics were really subdued by a more powerful entity.
Consequently, these points serve to direct Saids later argument that Without this concept of a
place for all at the rendezvous of victory, one is condemned to an impoverishing politics of
knowledge based only on the assertion and the reassertion of identity. While the entirety of the
quote explains a repetitive pattern in the history of racial prejudice, history can be repeated in
multiple ways. First, history can repeat in individual families. The National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development explains that a mothers level of education is one of the biggest
determinants of a childs academic success (Improving Mothers Literacy). With racial
prejudice and segregation being a proponent of poor education in black communities, a past of
discrimination has locked in a pattern of institutionalized violence. Similarly, as a second
example of history repeating itself, the same pattern of families not being able to break the
pattern of discrimination contributes to communities not being able to break the pattern. The
process of suburbanization has gentrified geographical and socioeconomic status to lock Harlem,
Chatham, and other inner city neighborhoods in as Black communities.
As a final point in which one can see the assertion of identity contributing to empty seats at the
rendezvous of victory is the cycle of nationalism being used to target groups no matter the era.
Many people advocate civil rights as a thing of the past, but the same cries of nationalism that
lead to government abuse and violence against the Black Panther Party are leading to a nebulous
declaration of War on Terror that serves as justification for the blatant institutional corruption

that directly harms Muslim Americans. For example, the NSA has given rise to a network of
15,000 FBI agents that saturate Muslim communities and mosques to stifle religious practice and
freedom through bullying tactics (Abbas). Prejudice has shifted from Black to Arab, and the
government justifies it by asserting and reasserting American identity as white Christians.
Over all, this portion of Saids essay is the best explanation for how racism persists in all aspects.
While civil rights may be expanded, the silent discrimination is the plague. Reasserting identity
through nationalistic policy only serves the hegemonic entity in domination. It happens to
families, communities, and entire religions.

Works Cited
Said, Edward. The Politics of Knowledge. Falling Into Theory: Conflicting Views on Reading
Literature. Ed. David Richter. Boston: Bedford; New York; St. Martins, 2000. Print.
"Improving Mothers' Literacy Skills May Be Best Way to Boost Children's Achievement." NIH.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
Gadeir Abbas How NSA Spying Impacts Muslim Communities and Cultivates Islamophobia, 26 Jan.
2014, Web. 22 Nov. 2014