U.S Exceptionalism U.S. Exceptionalism • Belief that U.S. has the moral authority to pursue it’s own interests as long as they can be justify their actions as pursuing “freedom” or “democracy.” • Belief that U.S. is fundamentally different and better than other countries. • U.S. is free from “perversion” and is inherently or naturally “good.” • Since WWII U.S. exceptionalism has legitimized the U.S. military operations all over the world. Sexual Exceptionalism • The idea that Muslims are especially ashamed of their bodies (nudity). • The orientalist myth that the rape and torture of Muslims is more shameful and humiliating for them than other people, due to their religious beliefs (Puar argued that this myth informed CIA and U.S. military police interrogation practices in Iraq.) • The myth that homosexuality is especially “taboo” in Muslim societies ( Puar argues that this belief denies the universal existence of same-sex practices, as well as Muslim gays and lesbians, as well as cloaked the violence directed of gay prisoners and detainees.)