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.)