So how can we move away from Orientalism?

Simple: By forming relationships and developing knowledge on different cultures.

There are many simple things you can do. Writer SE Smith writes in The Guardian how you can begin to be a respectful traveler. She states that many times stereotypical mindsets on a foreign culture can lead to tourists seeing locals as mere entertainment or "Disney sideshow attractions" and leads them away from them feeling human.

A few tips to take into consideration:

Be present and conscientious when traveling
Learn more about a place, its history and its people
Respect the people who live there
Accept the critical along with the welcoming
And finally, "enhance your understanding of the world in a responsible way"

These may seem like abstract tips that could be hard to practice in your daily life, but as an example, try not to photograph local Indian women in their saris to feel "exotic," but instead learn about the fight for equality and equal justice Indian women are in the midst of. Each and every aspect of a culture is worth understanding, and that process of deepening your knowledge can help you avoid any stereotypical thoughts or prejudice in the future.

An entire culture is like a rose. There are many, many petals--each very unique to the next one. By learning more about a culture, you can begin to gain a petal at a time, eventually forming a rose filled with vibrancy and life. And that's how you can begin to move away from Orientalism.

How to move forward: Text