[shakow]

Because you're conflating a geopolitical current (colonialism & imperialism) with an artistic one (orientalism) -- in fact, the artistic current actually predates colonialism in the concerned geographical regions, with e.g. Ottoman art becoming fashionable in the 18th century or Antique Egypt fascinating Paris after Napoleon's expedition in the early 19th century.

Just like nowadays, exhibiting a taste for Vietnamese or Bengali culture doesn't imply that you are a staunch supporter of children's slavery, 19th century people fantasizing about lascivious odalisques and fierce Cheikhs or Byron writing about Transoxania doesn't have much to do with the Concessions harbours.

[FooBarBizBazz]

Good distinction. But that conflation is exactly the purpose of contemporary use of the word "orientalism". It makes it impossible for Westerners to engage with these cultures while maintaining social or aesthetic acceptability; intentionally, the only option left open is to sit down and shut up.