We use them every day: terms like “Middle East”, “Orient” or “The Holy Land”. They appear in our textbooks, we hear them in the news, and we use them in casual conversation. But have you ever stopped to wonder who actually decided on these names?
When we describe the world, we often do so through a lens we aren’t even aware of—a Eurocentric lens. It’s time to take a closer look at the power of language and understand why terms like SWANA are more than just a modern abbreviation, and how they relate to the ongoing struggle for Palestinian self-determination.
1. The Problem with the “Middle”: Eurocentrism
The term “Middle East” originated in the late 19th century within the British Colonial Office. It only makes sense if you are looking east from London or Berlin. By using this term, we automatically assume Europe is the “center” of the world. This framing does more than just misplace a region on a map; it centers the Western perspective in every geopolitical discussion. For Palestinians, this means their struggle is often viewed solely through the prism of Western strategic interests rather than as a fundamental issue of human rights and decolonization.
2. The “Orient”: Between Exoticization and Dehumanization
Even more problematic is the term “Orient.” It is inseparably linked to the concept of Orientalism—a worldview that portrays the East as “exotic,” “backward,” or “mysterious” to justify Western intervention.
Historically, this term was used to stereotype and dehumanize people from Arab, Asian, and Muslim cultures. This dehumanization is a core obstacle in the Palestinian struggle; when a people are reduced to a “mysterious other” or a “security threat,” their basic rights to land, dignity, and life are more easily ignored by the global community.
3. SWANA: A Geographic Liberation
Instead of using terms based on colonial power dynamics, the designation SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) is increasingly coming into focus.
Why is this designation a step forward?
– Geographic Precision: It describes a location on Planet Earth, not a distance from a colonial capital.
– Self-Determination: It acknowledges the region on its own terms, supporting the idea that the people living there—including Palestinians—have the right to define their own identity.
– Solidarity: It bridges the struggle across borders, linking the Palestinian cause with broader movements for justice across North Africa and West Asia.
4. Why “Holy Land” and “Abrahamic” Can Be Erasive
While terms like “Holy Land” or “Abrahamic” may seem unifying or spiritual, they can be deeply political. Often, they are used to transform a very real, grounded struggle for land and rights into an abstract, eternal religious conflict.
Speaking of the “Holy Land” can retreat into a religious abstraction that makes the actual history of Palestine—and the reality of occupation and displacement—invisible. Decolonization means calling things by their name: recognizing the Palestinian struggle not as a religious feud, but as a fight for justice and the end of systemic oppression.
5. Conclusion: Language as a Tool for Justice
Language is never just a neutral description of the world; it is a tool of power. When we decolonize our vocabulary, we do more than just swap words—we change our perception.
To support the Palestinian struggle is to insist on language that reflects the truth. It is about no longer seeing the world as an entity revolving around Europe, but acknowledging the sovereignty, history, and humanity of the Palestinian people. The atlas in our heads needs an update. Let’s start today.
What You Can Do:
- Question Your Vocabulary: Notice when you say “Middle East” and consider using SWANA or Palestine to be more specific and respectful.
- Listen to Palestinian Voices: Follow activists, journalists, and historians from the region to understand the struggle from those who live it.
- Educate Others: Talk to friends and colleagues about how colonial language shapes our understanding of global conflicts.