“ “ Right now, Right now, The face of terror The face of terror Mostly Mostly Looks Looks Like Like Me.” Me.” -Richard Montoya -Richard Montoya “Fire in the city air and I feared for my sister’s life in a way never before, And then, and now, I fear for the rest of us.” -Suheir Hammad “My Palestinian cousins in Texas have beautiful brown little boys. Many of them haven’t gone to school yet. And now they have this heavy word to carry in their backpacks along with weight of their papers and
Transcript
““Right now,Right now,The face of terrorThe face of terror
MostlyMostlyLooksLooksLikeLikeMe.”Me.”
-Richard Montoya-Richard Montoya
“Fire in the city air and I feared for my sister’s life in a way never before,And then, and now, I fear for the rest of us.”-Suheir Hammad
“My Palestinian cousins in Texas have beautiful brown little boys. Many of them haven’t gone to school yet. And now they have this heavy word to carry in their backpacks along with weight of their papers and books.”
Arab AmericansArab AmericansBy Aaron and TracyBy Aaron and Tracy
Defining the term Arab Defining the term Arab AmericanAmerican
The term “Arab American” refers to The term “Arab American” refers to immigrants to North America from immigrants to North America from the Arabic-speaking countries of the the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East and their descendantsMiddle East and their descendants
Cultural Fiction Cultural Fiction
Cultural FactsCultural Facts
Common factual words to describe the Arab American Common factual words to describe the Arab American population:population:
Important Values of the Arab American culture:Important Values of the Arab American culture:-Dignity-Dignity-Honor-Honor-Reputation-Reputation-Trust -Trust -Loyalty -Loyalty -Education and Learning -Education and Learning
-As detailed by the FBI-As detailed by the FBI
DemographicsDemographics
The Middle East (The Middle East (or West Asiaor West Asia) sits where ) sits where Africa, Asia and Europe meet. Africa, Asia and Europe meet.
DemographicsDemographics
-There are 20-23 Arab countries in North -There are 20-23 Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle EastAfrica and the Middle East
*225-280 million people*225-280 million people
-One of the fastest growing groups -One of the fastest growing groups worldwide; especially in Western worldwide; especially in Western countriescountries
-Population of 3-3.5 million in United States-Population of 3-3.5 million in United States
In the United StatesIn the United States
-The Lebanese population is the largest -The Lebanese population is the largest group of Arab Americans and account group of Arab Americans and account for 39% of the populationfor 39% of the population
-1/3 of the Arab American population -1/3 of the Arab American population live in California, Michigan, and New live in California, Michigan, and New YorkYork
-also large populations in: Illinois, -also large populations in: Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Arab American HistoryArab American History
Two Major Waves of ImmigrationTwo Major Waves of Immigration
-From the 1870’s to World War II-From the 1870’s to World War II-large numbers in the 1880s-large numbers in the 1880s
-From World War II to the present -From World War II to the present
Problems with charting Problems with charting immigrationimmigration
-Immigration officials used different -Immigration officials used different classificationsclassifications
-until 1899 immigration statistics -until 1899 immigration statistics logged Arabs in the same category as logged Arabs in the same category as Greeks, Armenians, and TurksGreeks, Armenians, and Turks
-Used different labels/names to describe -Used different labels/names to describe population at different timespopulation at different times
-for example until WWII Syrian or Syrian--for example until WWII Syrian or Syrian-Lebanese was the most commonLebanese was the most common
The First WaveThe First Wave1870’s to World War II1870’s to World War II
-most Arab immigrants came from the -most Arab immigrants came from the Greater Syria region, especially present-Greater Syria region, especially present-day Lebanonday Lebanon
-were mostly Christian -were mostly Christian -remember the Middle East is where -remember the Middle East is where
Christianity developedChristianity developed
-estimated 130,000 Arab Americans by the -estimated 130,000 Arab Americans by the late 1930s and right before WWI up to late 1930s and right before WWI up to 350,000350,000
-considered themselves sojourners; not part -considered themselves sojourners; not part of American societyof American society
Reasons for 1Reasons for 1stst Wave Wave Immigration Immigration
-economic necessity-economic necessity-the economy suffered crippling blows in the mid--the economy suffered crippling blows in the mid-1880’s when trade routes shifted away from Syria 1880’s when trade routes shifted away from Syria
-the second major blow was in the 1890’s when -the second major blow was in the 1890’s when Lebanese vineyards invaded by phylloxera (a Lebanese vineyards invaded by phylloxera (a grape eating insect) and left in ruinsgrape eating insect) and left in ruins
-Rapid population increase Syrian-Rapid population increase Syrian-agriculture and industry could not keep up-agriculture and industry could not keep up
-the subsistence economy could now only support -the subsistence economy could now only support one child and other children had to fend for one child and other children had to fend for themselvesthemselves
Reasons for 1Reasons for 1stst Wave Wave ImmigrationImmigration
-Personal Advancement-Personal Advancement-lured by the promise of the New World great -lured by the promise of the New World great wealthwealth
-To escape religious persecution and the -To escape religious persecution and the lack of political and civil freedom by the lack of political and civil freedom by the Ottoman regimeOttoman regime
-Christians were not accorded equal status -Christians were not accorded equal status as their as their Muslim neighborsMuslim neighbors
-For safety of their families-For safety of their families-leaving to avoid the massacres because of -leaving to avoid the massacres because of religious preferencereligious preference
Reasons for 1Reasons for 1stst Wave Wave ImmigrationImmigration
-Other reasons-Other reasons-Improved transportation and communication -Improved transportation and communication worldwideworldwide
-development of steam navigation made sea -development of steam navigation made sea travel safer and shortertravel safer and shorter
-aggressiveness of agents of steamship -aggressiveness of agents of steamship companies in recruiting new immigrant companies in recruiting new immigrant passengerspassengers
11stst Wave Immigrants Wave Immigrants
-poor-poor
-uneducated-uneducated
-illiterate in any language-illiterate in any language
-unskilled workers-unskilled workers
-mostly factory workers and miners-mostly factory workers and miners
-was a way to escape poverty and unskilled labor -was a way to escape poverty and unskilled labor jobsjobs
-did not require training, capital, or in depth -did not require training, capital, or in depth knowledge of Englishknowledge of English
-usually a better-established fellow Arab immigrant -usually a better-established fellow Arab immigrant would help get “suitcase” to startwould help get “suitcase” to start
-still required hard work and long hours but a -still required hard work and long hours but a greater opportunity for profitgreater opportunity for profit
-start of Arab Americans opening dry-good stores -start of Arab Americans opening dry-good stores
The Second WaveThe Second Wave-This wave of immigrants came from all -This wave of immigrants came from all
parts of the Arab worldparts of the Arab world
--especiallyespecially from Palestine, Lebanon, from Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq and YemenSyria, Egypt, Iraq and Yemen
-Had larger numbers of Muslim community-Had larger numbers of Muslim community
-In the 1990s it is estimated at less than 1 -In the 1990s it is estimated at less than 1 million to today it is estimated at 3 million to today it is estimated at 3 millionmillion
Second Wave ImmigrantsSecond Wave ImmigrantsReasons for ImmigrationReasons for Immigration
-economic need and attraction of a major -economic need and attraction of a major industrial societyindustrial society
-regional conflicts and civil wars-regional conflicts and civil wars
-major social and political changes -major social and political changes -especially for wealthy or middle class-especially for wealthy or middle class-wanted U.S. for democratic haven-wanted U.S. for democratic haven
-psychological piece-psychological piece-the world seemed smaller and the -the world seemed smaller and the thought of migration is more acceptable thought of migration is more acceptable
Second Wave ImmigrantsSecond Wave Immigrants
-relatively well-off-relatively well-off
-semi or highly educated professional-semi or highly educated professional
-students at American universities who -students at American universities who decided to stay decided to stay
-wanted to educate American society on the -wanted to educate American society on the Arab culture Arab culture
-created more political and champion -created more political and champion organizations to support the Arab organizations to support the Arab communities and their needscommunities and their needs
Life in AmericaLife in America-Large engagement in commerce-Large engagement in commerce
-Dreams of retiring in old village or -Dreams of retiring in old village or neighborhoodneighborhood
-Primary long term contacts were with -Primary long term contacts were with other Arab Americansother Arab Americans
-Formed own residential communities -Formed own residential communities
Major differences between 1Major differences between 1stst and 2and 2ndnd Waves Waves
11stst Wave immigrants first thought of Wave immigrants first thought of themselves as sojourners and once themselves as sojourners and once decided to stay assimilated to fit in decided to stay assimilated to fit in
22ndnd Wave immigrants had a revival of Wave immigrants had a revival of the heritage and identity as an ethnic the heritage and identity as an ethnic community, came to the country community, came to the country prepared to stay from the beginning prepared to stay from the beginning
The two immigrant waves had The two immigrant waves had differences based on characteristics differences based on characteristics and the different challenges faced in and the different challenges faced in social and political arenassocial and political arenas
The two communities began to come The two communities began to come together in the 1960s, especially together in the 1960s, especially after the 1967 Arab-Israeli warafter the 1967 Arab-Israeli war
-compare this concept to the out -compare this concept to the out pouring of patriotism in American pouring of patriotism in American after September 11. after September 11.
DemographicsDemographics
-Metropolitan Detroit is home to roughly 300,000 -Metropolitan Detroit is home to roughly 300,000 Arab Americans and is one of the largest Arab Americans and is one of the largest populations of Arabs outside the Middle Eastpopulations of Arabs outside the Middle East
-Arab-Americans have been in the United States for -Arab-Americans have been in the United States for many years many years -The earliest records show descendants of Middle -The earliest records show descendants of Middle Eastern families who settled the Detroit area Eastern families who settled the Detroit area starting in the 1890sstarting in the 1890s (mostly merchants and (mostly merchants and peddlers)peddlers)
-Up to 5,000 Arabs emigrate to the Detroit area each -Up to 5,000 Arabs emigrate to the Detroit area each year year
Religious DemographicsReligious Demographics
-63 percent of all Arab-Americans are -63 percent of all Arab-Americans are Christians Christians
-35 percent of all Arab-Americans are -35 percent of all Arab-Americans are Catholic or Eastern OrthodoxCatholic or Eastern Orthodox
-24 percent are Muslim-24 percent are Muslim
-The remainder belong to other religions or -The remainder belong to other religions or no religionno religion
Things to KnowThings to Know
Arab Americans: a complex cultureArab Americans: a complex culture -Politically Diverse: monarchies, socialist parties -Politically Diverse: monarchies, socialist parties
and militant parties, etc.and militant parties, etc.
--Religiously Diverse: Islam (primary), Christian, Religiously Diverse: Islam (primary), Christian, Jewish, Bahais, Alaouis, ZoroastriansJewish, Bahais, Alaouis, Zoroastrians
-Contributions of their rich cultural heritage: -Contributions of their rich cultural heritage: Religion, Philosophy, Literature, Medicine, Religion, Philosophy, Literature, Medicine, Architecture, Art, Mathematics, Natural SciencesArchitecture, Art, Mathematics, Natural Sciences
Things to KnowThings to KnowCultural KnowledgeCultural Knowledge
-The Arab American culture operates in -The Arab American culture operates in a patriarchal contexta patriarchal context
-Kinship structure is called the Hamula-Kinship structure is called the Hamula
-details a family lineage through a -details a family lineage through a common male ancestorcommon male ancestor
-Family-oriented -Family-oriented
Things to KnowThings to Know
Rules of Socialization Rules of Socialization
• Expect minimal eye contactExpect minimal eye contact• Especially between different sexes!Especially between different sexes!
• Never show the soles of your shoesNever show the soles of your shoes
• Don’t slouch in chairsDon’t slouch in chairs
• Handshaking Handshaking
• Gender DifferencesGender Differences
Post-September 11Post-September 11
-Destruction of civil liberties
-Racial Profiling
-Loss of safety
-Family members would just disappear
-Worry about informants and spies
-Challenges to applying for citizenship
-Living in a world of political conflict
-Life under a microscope of World Focus -Life under a microscope of World Focus
September 11, 2001September 11, 2001Not Just Our Day of DevastationNot Just Our Day of Devastation
Fact vs. FictionFact vs. Fiction
-Deliberate mythmaking by film and media-Deliberate mythmaking by film and media
-The U.S. government selling of a political agenda-The U.S. government selling of a political agenda
-Public susceptibility -Public susceptibility
Fear and Grief helped perpetuate these beliefsFear and Grief helped perpetuate these beliefs
History Repeats Itself…History Repeats Itself…
*Backward movement on racism based on *Backward movement on racism based on fearfear
Arab American CommunitiesArab American Communities
What they hope for…What they hope for…
……to eliminate crime in their neighborhoodsto eliminate crime in their neighborhoods
……to feel safeto feel safe
……to watch their children thriveto watch their children thrive
……to not be the face of terrorists to not be the face of terrorists
What they got insteadWhat they got instead
-Living in fear-Living in fear
-Always under suspicion -Always under suspicion
-hate mail/death threats-hate mail/death threats
-informants and spies in their communities-informants and spies in their communities
-loss of culture due to fear-loss of culture due to fear
Definition of Cultural Definition of Cultural CompetenceCompetence
A working definition:A working definition:– to seek to understand the various and to seek to understand the various and
integrated factors that make up the integrated factors that make up the diverse ethnicity of Arab-Americans, and diverse ethnicity of Arab-Americans, and apply these concepts to a workable apply these concepts to a workable service plan that shows honor and service plan that shows honor and respect within each cultural context.respect within each cultural context.
– Ethnicity = Arab (like Latino-Hispanic)Ethnicity = Arab (like Latino-Hispanic)
Generalist- need to understand the culture Generalist- need to understand the culture around you. Are they Arab, Persian, around you. Are they Arab, Persian, Turkish, Afghani, or another group? Turkish, Afghani, or another group? – If they are Arab, need to find out level of If they are Arab, need to find out level of
traditional practice in the home, within the traditional practice in the home, within the cultural/nationalistic framework.cultural/nationalistic framework.
Advanced- need to understand the various Advanced- need to understand the various life stages of Arab ethnicity. How they view life stages of Arab ethnicity. How they view death, honor, illness, and religion.death, honor, illness, and religion.
Knowledge AcquisitionKnowledge Acquisition Generalist level- important to know Generalist level- important to know
the demographics of Arab the demographics of Arab population.population.– Census 2000Census 2000
under-representationunder-representation
– Zogby International and other pollingZogby International and other polling Advanced level- important to know Advanced level- important to know
specific theoretical contexts for Arab specific theoretical contexts for Arab Americans.Americans.– Ethnicity, culture, minority, class, Ethnicity, culture, minority, class,
nationalism, religionnationalism, religion
Special ToolsSpecial Tools
Generalist level- case studies, cultural Generalist level- case studies, cultural guides, media, and related sociological guides, media, and related sociological journals. Empowerment perspective journals. Empowerment perspective through passive-aggressive means. through passive-aggressive means.
Advanced level- need assessments, Advanced level- need assessments, focus groups, community centers, focus groups, community centers, economic primer programs. Task-economic primer programs. Task-centered perspective utilized in a centered perspective utilized in a seemingly passive way. Learn the seemingly passive way. Learn the Arabic language.Arabic language.
Micro- Micro- – traditional Arab families have not traditional Arab families have not
utilized social workers in the past, they utilized social workers in the past, they will not usually want to engage in a work will not usually want to engage in a work relationship. They see their families as relationship. They see their families as their support network and service their support network and service providerprovider
– start with a general knowledge base and start with a general knowledge base and then ask rather sensitive questions to then ask rather sensitive questions to determine cultural/nationalistic determine cultural/nationalistic affiliations and level of assimilationaffiliations and level of assimilation
More MicroMore Micro
– Use genograms and ecomaps to show the Use genograms and ecomaps to show the client their familial and community client their familial and community resourcesresources
– Empower clients towards self-determination Empower clients towards self-determination whenever possiblewhenever possible
– Keep up relationships with clients who have Keep up relationships with clients who have done well in working relationships. They may done well in working relationships. They may be cultural guides/interpreters some daybe cultural guides/interpreters some day
– Learn some basic Arabic phrases to read and Learn some basic Arabic phrases to read and speakspeak
Implications on MezzoImplications on Mezzo
Agency- Agency- – sensitive program development that utilizes sensitive program development that utilizes
the strong familial and community tiesthe strong familial and community ties– focus on programs that build pride and focus on programs that build pride and
independenceindependence Economic/businessEconomic/business Heritage and Community CentersHeritage and Community Centers Higher Educational opportunitiesHigher Educational opportunities Legacy and long-term programs (community Legacy and long-term programs (community
bldg)bldg)
Implications on MacroImplications on Macro
Community/NationalCommunity/National– Advocate for policies that:Advocate for policies that:
protect Arab freedom, less stringent/intrusiveprotect Arab freedom, less stringent/intrusive promote growth of Arab communitiespromote growth of Arab communities promote understanding of Arab populationpromote understanding of Arab population display accurate data on Arab demographicsdisplay accurate data on Arab demographics
– Census 2000Census 2000
help empower Arabs to advocate for help empower Arabs to advocate for themselves through sneaky, passive means ;)themselves through sneaky, passive means ;)
OverallOverall
Remember that Arabs are proud, and Remember that Arabs are proud, and sensitive to any type of shame. sensitive to any type of shame.
They are a hurting people who feel that They are a hurting people who feel that they are not always at home, but are they are not always at home, but are more like refugees until they are more like refugees until they are acceptedaccepted
They want what everyone else wants in They want what everyone else wants in AmericaAmerica
They are fighting in our armed servicesThey are fighting in our armed services
Case Study - ImplicationsCase Study - Implications
ACCESS- in Dearborn, MIACCESS- in Dearborn, MI– Serves greater Detroit Metro areaServes greater Detroit Metro area– Close to 400,000 Arab Americans in the Close to 400,000 Arab Americans in the
areaarea
www.accesscommunity.orgwww.accesscommunity.org
The ProcessThe Process
Important to continue to gain Important to continue to gain knowledge, because we probably will knowledge, because we probably will not be working in such a context like not be working in such a context like ACCESSACCESS– research, cultural guides, travel to Arab research, cultural guides, travel to Arab
communities, confer with Arab program communities, confer with Arab program workers, know current events here in U.S. workers, know current events here in U.S. and abroad that affect Arabs, attend and abroad that affect Arabs, attend events, and review the literature often.events, and review the literature often.
Graduate SchoolGraduate School
*Price for books: $500/semester*Price for books: $500/semester
*Cost of Graduate school: $20,000/year*Cost of Graduate school: $20,000/year
*Average amount of sleep: 5 hours/nightly *Average amount of sleep: 5 hours/nightly (maybe)(maybe)
*Using our cultural competency knowledge *Using our cultural competency knowledge to counteract racism: Pricelessto counteract racism: Priceless
Arab-Americans, Seeking Clout Arab-Americans, Seeking Clout , By: Caruso, Lisa, National Journal, 0360-4217, July 22, 2006, Vol. 38, Issue 29, By: Caruso, Lisa, National Journal, 0360-4217, July 22, 2006, Vol. 38, Issue 29 Abu El-Haj, T.R. (2006). Race, Politics, and Arab American Youth: Shifting Framework Abu El-Haj, T.R. (2006). Race, Politics, and Arab American Youth: Shifting Framework for Conceptualizing Educational Equity. for Conceptualizing Educational Equity. Educational Policy, 20Educational Policy, 20(1), 13-34.(1), 13-34. Al-Krenawi, A. & Graham, J.R. (2000). Culturally Sensitive Social Work Practice with Al-Krenawi, A. & Graham, J.R. (2000). Culturally Sensitive Social Work Practice with Arab Clients in Mental Health Settings. Arab Clients in Mental Health Settings. Health & Social Work, 25Health & Social Work, 25(1), 9-22. (1), 9-22. Baum, N. (2006). Social Work Practice in Conflict-Ridden Areas: Cultural Baum, N. (2006). Social Work Practice in Conflict-Ridden Areas: Cultural Sensitivity is Not Enough. Sensitivity is Not Enough. British Journal of Social Work Advance Access,British Journal of Social Work Advance Access, 1-19. 1-19. Bayoumi, M. (2006). Arab America's September 11. Bayoumi, M. (2006). Arab America's September 11. The Nation,The Nation, 22-26. 22-26. Blum, D.E. (2002). Making a Place for Arab-Americans. Blum, D.E. (2002). Making a Place for Arab-Americans. Chronicle of Philanthropy, Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1414(6).(6). El Said, M. (2003). The Face of the Enemy: Arab-American Writing Post-9/11. El Said, M. (2003). The Face of the Enemy: Arab-American Writing Post-9/11. Studies in Studies in the Humanities, 30,the Humanities, 30, 200. 200. Hammoud, M.M., MD., White, C.B., PhD., & Fetters, M.D., MD., MPH., MA. (2005). Hammoud, M.M., MD., White, C.B., PhD., & Fetters, M.D., MD., MPH., MA. (2005). Opening Cultural Doors: Providing Culturally Sensitive Healthcare to Arab American and American Muslim Opening Cultural Doors: Providing Culturally Sensitive Healthcare to Arab American and American Muslim
Patients. Patients. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 193,American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 193, 1307-1311. 1307-1311. Navarro, J. (2002). Interacting with Arabs and Muslims. Navarro, J. (2002). Interacting with Arabs and Muslims. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 20-23. 20-23. Suleiman, M.W. (1999). Suleiman, M.W. (1999). The Arab Immigrant ExperienceThe Arab Immigrant Experience. Retrieved December 10, 2006 from Temple University Press, National . Retrieved December 10, 2006 from Temple University Press, National
Institute Institute for Technology Liberal Education Website: for Technology Liberal Education Website: http://arabworld.nitle.org/texts.php?module_id=9&reading_id=33http://arabworld.nitle.org/texts.php?module_id=9&reading_id=33 ACCESS. (2006). ACCESS. (2006). DepartmentsDepartments. Retrieved on December 8th, 2006 from . Retrieved on December 8th, 2006 from
http://www.accesscommunity.orghttp://www.accesscommunity.org Brittingham, A. & Cruze, G. (2003). The Arab Population:2000. Retrieved on December Brittingham, A. & Cruze, G. (2003). The Arab Population:2000. Retrieved on December
8th, 2006 from http://www.census.gov8th, 2006 from http://www.census.gov Dokhanchi, K. (2006). Personal Communication. Dokhanchi, K. (2006). Personal Communication. Kaffer, N. (2004). Kaffer, N. (2004). Where Victims Become SurvivorsWhere Victims Become Survivors. Retrieved on December 8th, 2006 . Retrieved on December 8th, 2006
from http://www.pressandguide.comfrom http://www.pressandguide.com Lum, D. (2007). Culturally Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding Diverse Lum, D. (2007). Culturally Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding Diverse
Groups and Justice Issues. (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson. Groups and Justice Issues. (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson. US Army Training and Doctrine Command. (2006). US Army Training and Doctrine Command. (2006). Arab Cultural Awareness: 58 Arab Cultural Awareness: 58
Factsheets.Factsheets. Retrieved on December 8th, 2006 from http://www.fas.org Retrieved on December 8th, 2006 from http://www.fas.org Zogby International. (2002). Zogby International. (2002). Arab American Demographics ReportArab American Demographics Report. Retrieved on . Retrieved on
December 6th, 2006 from http://www.zogby.comDecember 6th, 2006 from http://www.zogby.com
