By Farrah Hassen
I’ve always known my Arab culture is worth celebrating.
I heard it in Syrian tenor Sabah Fakhri’s powerful voice reverberating in my mom’s car on the way to piano lessons and soccer practice during my youth. I smelled it in the za’atar, Aleppo pepper, allspice, and cumin permeating the air in the family kitchen.
I saw it in the intricate embroidery on my grandma’s silk robe. And in the determination etched in the faces of my immigrant parents, who raised seven children in Southern California without relinquishing our rich Syrian traditions.
April is National Arab American Heritage Month. It should be a time to celebrate the contributions of the over 3.5 million Arab Americans who strengthen our proud nation.
We have Ralph Nader to thank for consumer protections like automobile safety. We have the late Senator James Abourezk (D-SD) — the first Arab American elected to the U.S. Senate — to credit for landmark legislation championing Indigenous rights. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician, first exposed the Flint, Michigan water crisis.
There are countless others. But right now, it’s impossible to feel celebratory. My community is reeling from the immense pain and horror of an unfolding genocide against the 2.3 million Palestinians of Gaza.
Palestinian Americans have lost family members in Gaza from Israel’s unrelenting bombardment and mass starvation of civilians. Adding insult to injury, Israel is using U.S.-supplied weapons to commit these atrocities.
Palestinian Americans — along with other Arabs — have also been on the receiving end of increased hate crimes, harassment, racist rhetoric, and discrimination, belying the message that they, too, are an integral part of this nation. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee received 2,500 reports of anti-Arab hate from October to March.
During this period, Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy from Illinois, was fatally stabbed. Three Palestinian college students were shot in Vermont.
In his proclamation marking this year’s heritage month, President Biden was forced to reckon with Gaza. Instead of announcing a long overdue, permanent ceasefire and an end to U.S. military support for Israel, he offered empty words.
How can Arab American life and culture be celebrated when fellow Arabs are facing erasure in Gaza? Nearly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far, including nearly 14,000 children. Thousands more remain missing. And at least 576,000 Palestinians are on the brink of famine.
Homes filled with family heirlooms and memories have been systematically destroyed. The ancient olive trees that symbolize Palestinians’ deep-rooted connection to their land haven’t been spared.
It’s easy to feel despair. But what brings me hope is the new generation of Arab Americans organizing, marching, and working with other communities to demand a permanent ceasefire. We are reminded that dissent is the highest form of “patriotism.”
Despite attempts to smear and silence them for supporting Palestinian human rights, their efforts are having an impact. A March 27 Gallup poll showed a significant drop in American public support for Israel’s conduct of the war, from 50 percent in November 2023 to 36 percent now.
Meanwhile, Arab Americans have emerged as a new and powerful voting bloc. Spearheaded by Arab Americans in Michigan, hundreds of thousands of Americans voted “uncommitted” in recent primary elections in Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and elsewhere to protest U.S. policy in Gaza.
This represents a real shift from the days after 9/11, when Arab Americans faced blanket demonization without any pushback. This is progress, although much more must be done.
We know we belong in America even if we’re not always treated that way. We need enduring collaboration between Arab Americans and policymakers, educators, and community members to defend our rights, create a more equal America, and promote more just U.S. policies abroad — starting with a ceasefire in Gaza.
Farrah Hassen, J.D., is a writer, policy analyst, and adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at Cal Poly Pomona. Born in the United Arab Emirates, raised in the United States, Farrah holds a Master’s in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007.
R.S. says
It seems that the holocaust hasn’t taught us the right lessons. Instead of learning that Jewish life is somehow exalted, we should have learned that any minority anywhere has rights and value in a democratic society, lest that society turn into a dictatorship of the majority. Privilege as well as compassion must be earned again and again; they are not part of an inheritance. We humans are such fickle creatures. As Erdoğan of Turkey put it aptly: The victims of yore may well be the oppressors of today.
TR says
It seems almost every month is some sort of celebration month. Are there any months left for True American Heritage Month? If not why don’t they have one. Next they’re going to want a federal holiday for it. Give me a break. No disrespect to other foreign immigrants that came to the USA to have a better life. But IMO if someone left a foreign country to have a better life in the USA, then they should forfeit any celebration of the country they left. My Parents did that and they never celebrated the holidays from their home land once they move to the USA back in the mid 50’s all the way up to their passing within the last 9 yrs. Foreign immigrants need to go through to process of becoming an American citizen and celebrate the USA’s holidays. I may have not expressed myself in a way that some will understand, but I don’t sugar coat anything and just sit around holding hands singing Kum bei ya. Sorry if I offended anyone, but it was not my intent.
Deborah Coffey says
Clearly, I can understand the author’s position, as well as her feelings. But this is all wrong: “Meanwhile, Arab Americans have emerged as a new and powerful voting bloc. Spearheaded by Arab Americans in Michigan, hundreds of thousands of Americans voted “uncommitted” in recent primary elections in Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and elsewhere to protest U.S. policy in Gaza.” Arab Americans are making themselves seen at supporters of Hamas…who, let’s not forget, murdered over 1100 Israelis on Oct. 7th and took over 250 hostages.
Stopping traffic on the Golden Gate bridge and setting up encampments on colleges campuses (both illegal) does NOT show a powerful opposition; it simply incites more hate for Arab Americans. Finally, you think you’re a powerful voting bloc by not voting for Joe Biden? Then, we have to ask you what you think will happen to all Arab Americans if Donald Trump is elected. Concentration camps would likely be the best of it. He despises you and all you stand for.
We DO hear you. We DO believe Bibi Netanyahu and his cohort of warmongers are committing war crimes. Joe Biden doesn’t speak “empty words.” He’s working very hard to bring peace and a two-state solution. Don’t count him out and please…begin to protest legally and engage intelligently with those who do not see Gaza through your eyes and who themselves lost family members in Israel.
Tim says
Poke the bear and it will bite you.
Pogo says
@Farrah Hassen
Cheer up. The Trump administration your work supports will raise the dead and repair the world.
JimboXYZ says
Considering this ? That was 3 months ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtiDN2GM6hc
Apparently protecting the border was another Delaware Lie. But they can fund Ukraine, Israel & the humanitarian effort, just nothing for the border or inflation. We are where we are, names have gotta be named, this is 4 years of getting back to Biden normalcy for America & everyone of us are paying dearly for it. In all sincerity, I doubt Trump can even reverse Biden-Harris in 4 years just domestically. I think he could have the Middle East ended, who knows about the Ukraine, that’s such a Biden thing, can’t even get Hunter Biden to pay taxes on Burisma money. I’d call it income/earnings but how does one become a board of director for a foreign energy corporation while having zero experience in the industry ? Sign me up for that job, I’ll even pay my taxes. That Biden case has been stalled for years to the point of a statute of limitations defense.
Yet they can make sure that in the election year that 2 NY cases & a GA case against Trump gets pushed thru. And Leticia James wants the $ 175M bond revoked.
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-aid-congress-senate-china-d7b4846de76a1dfe5d2207b7eb6eeead
https://apnews.com/article/congress-fails-mayorkas-impeachment-border-bill-3bb2de710406cd5c5314e855c75efbef
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/a-promise-that-is-hollow-ny-ag-asks-judge-to-reject-trumps-175-million-civil-fraud-bond-as-without-effect-and-force-him-to-get-a-replacement-within-days/
It’s just bigger than just Iran attacking Israel a week ago, Israel responding to that attack. getting rid of Biden in 2024, America wants him removed too, but the time table has to be adhered to. Know & own those Biden votes got us here, all 82+ million of them.
Jim says
You are so full of hate (and s—), it’s hard to know where to start… But first, to Hunter Biden, after over two years of James Comer and Jim Jordan “investigating” that and Joe Biden, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING has ever been presented to the public to support any charges – only innuendo. Just because you want something to be true, doesn’t make it so.
As for the border.. how is it that you can just ignore the fact that just a few weeks back, the Senate came up with a bi-partisan bill to curb border incursions that virtually gave the Republicans everything they wanted? And when they got it done, the very people who participated in developing the bill suddenly had a change of heart because “the Donald” did not want it passed because he wants to use it as a campaign issue (which fits you perfectly since facts are not something you seem interested in….). The spineless Lindsey Graham had some of his staff working directly on that bill and reporting to him daily but when Trump said “no”, Lindsey suddenly (as usual) changed course and acted like he’d never seen the bill…. So that works for you but for me, all I see is that when the Republicans have a chance to do something that they allegedly believe in, they have no problem abandoning their “principle” in allegiance to the Donald. Translation – if the border bothers Republicans, it obviously doesn’t bother them enough to do anything about it until AFTER the election – how principled. Most of us will remember that when we vote but not you – it’s just not a fact you like.
And isn’t it interesting that over 300 Congressmen voted FOR those bills you so hate? Before Trump, that would have been considered “bipartisan”; now those Republicans are RINO’s to you and yours.
Keep posting your “insights” into how bad Biden is. It’s like reading a deranged comedy skit. And keep ignoring that the Orange Monster is a convicted rapist, a convicted tax dodger and soon, I expect, a convicted felon for covering up the hush money payments to a porn start (the one he had sex with while Melania was having his latest son, yet another fine trait your god has….). And don’t forget he stole top secret government documents prior to leaving the White House and stored them in the Mar-a-logo bathrooms. He’s already admitted to that but he’s got a useless Federal judge (maybe just incompetent) who is slow-rolling that trial as long as she can. I truly can not see how you can ignore all these facts and probably hundreds or thousands more in the name of your orange god.
I’m not saying Biden is perfect – he definitely is not – but no one is. What I will say is he’s a decent man and he does try to the right thing. I don’t think he’s trying to steal the next election like your buddy is and I do think there’s a 100% chance our democracy will survive if he’s elected. I give us a less than 50/50 chance with your orange god (you know – the guy who will be a dictator on day 1). But I already know you’re fine with that. You wouldn’t understand or recognize democracy if it was tattooed on the inside of your eyelid.
Now go watch some more Fox and Newsmax. I hear some trans person tried to use the bathroom somewhere and they have reporters on the scene reporting the resulting disaster…..
(Oh, and buy a Trump Bible and READ it. Might find it interesting…..)
Deborah Coffey says
LOL. About your border bill. They did find the money and presented the bill to the House of Representatives. The House flatly rejected even bringing it to the floor for a vote because…Donald J. Trump told them “NO.” He needs that issue to run on. Next, do you know HOW, or a new way, to control inflation? So far, it’s Economics 101. And, Chairman Powell is doing it. P.S. Donald Trump is a major criminal and you can’t list one thing he did to make your life better…not one. I dare you!
Deirdre says
This situation is so tragic, unbelievable when the whole world recognizes this is a genocide, including the majority of Americans, but American politicians send them EVEN MORE money and weapons! This is going to cost Biden the election, he chose this extremest Israeli government over his own people. Throwing a few morsels of food into Gaza and murdering them at the same time won’t save his political career.
I plan to support Marianne Williamson, who is against this war, praying that Biden will step aside when he finally accepts Trump will be president again. As the only other running Democrat, I believe she’s the best chance for the Palestinians to survive these atrocities. I can’t support Biden and the other corrupt politicians in Washington that choose AIPAC money and weapons manufacturers over humanity. Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.
The way I see it, the American government is just as guilty of genocide as Netanyahu’s extremist government, they may pull the trigger but we supply the loaded guns, and continue to do so even as it’s clear what they’re being used for. I never knew just how corrupt the American government is, this breaks my heart, my beliefs about our leadership has been shattered.
FYI I also don’t want to toss democracy aside and live under a Trump dictatorship, especially since the Palestinians in Gaza would only lose more in that scenario, if that’s possible. We would all lose more, way, way more.
My wishes and prayers go to both the Israeli and Palestinian people, it isn’t civilians that started this or are keeping it going, both sides are suffering.
Hello, saying you’re against genocide and terrorism doesn’t mean you hate Muslims and/or Jews, we are all one people. It’s possible to be a humanitarian that supports all people without taking sides.
Pogo says
@As stated
If only we could have presidents like Nader again; yeah, that’s the answer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidential_candidates
Greg says
I feel bad, but maybe they should have not attacked and killed 1200 innocent jews for nothing. Now you cry victim.
Deborah Coffey says
We hear you and feel you. Many of us believe that Bibi Netanyahu and his cohort of warmongers are committing war crimes and should be punished. However, the way Arab Americans are going about their protests is all wrong. Camping out on college campuses (illegal) and stopping traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge (illegal) and allowing your protests to be infiltrated by “outsiders” calling for the killing of Jews…only makes Americans see you as staunch supporters of the terrorist Hamas government…the same one that killed over 1100 Israelis and kidnapped over 250 others on October 7th. Additionally, you never mention “peace;” you only call for a cease fire which is not an answer to the problem. Dissent and protesting is fine. Now, do it legally and properly and try to engage in intelligent conversation with those Jews that disagree with you and who also have lost family members on Oct 7th. Palestinians are not the only victims here.
Finally, you speak of your powerful voting bloc against Joe Biden. That means you want Donald Trump, the one that enforced a Muslim ban? He despises you! The best you might hope for from him is a settlement in concentration camps. You think Christian Nationalists will allow you to exist freely on American soil?
It’s time for the Arab American dissenters to rethink their strategy. Strive for lasting peace; THAT is the ultimate goal.
Truth says
Is Bibi going crazy? Yes, he is. I’m sure the rumors are true and he knew of the impending attack by Hamas and he let it happen. He’s going to prison, the second he’s no longer in charge. He’s a criminal, a cheat, and talks regularly with Trump and Putin and Orbon…he’s not a good person. However, Hamas slaughtered innocent civilians, went into their homes, took hostages, and is using rape as a weapon of war.
I’m not saying the IDF is innocent here but this wouldn’t be happening if Hamas didn’t attack. How is Hamas in power? A majority of Palestinians voted them into power. A poll conducted about two months ago showed that 87% of Palestinians approved of Oct 7. How many protesters feel the same?
Protests across this country by pro-Palestinian supports are growing increasingly violent with death threats and anti-Semitic language. Blocking roads and bridges don’t do a thing. It doesn’t help your cause and the violent language harkens back to the days of 9/11, where anti-Arab sentiment was strong and everyone that had a middle eastern name was scrutinized.
It’s funny to me hearing these pro-Palestinian supporters say they will vote for Trump. Know what he would do? Tell Bibi to bomb Gaza into oblivion, so his son-in-law Jared and company can scoop up the land for cheap and build waterfront property. That’s not a fantasy. It’s being widely talked about in inner circles that if Trump wins, he will tell Bibi to unleash hell. There will be no more Gaza. No more home for Palestinians. And there is a loophole to remove Muslim-Americans’s and deport them.
Hamas made this happen at the order of Putin. Putin told Bibi. Bibi let it happen. Why? Look how long eyes were off Putin because all we’re talking about is Israel. Convoluted? No. The evidence is there. It’s known in the White House this is possible because the Trump/Putin/Bibi authoritarian wing who want nothing but chaos and division and unrest.
Kennan says
JIMBO,JIMBO,JIMBO….. You can’t afford to be this ignorant and biased. I’m certainly not at all enchanted with the way this GENOCIDE is being handled, or i should say: Supported by 16 billion dollars of additional GENOCIDE money, all while voting NO to Palestinian statehood in the wake of saying we (U.S.) want a two state solution, but we know NETANYAHU does not want one. How full of shit do we have to be? People are worried about Hunter Biden while this is happening? Honestly… Who gives a shit?
The State department can’t answer any questions about Biden’s support of this ongoing GENOCIDE, the U.S. standing internationally is in the toilet, all while they talk about how humanistic they are. What hypocracy!! The problem is Americas economic interests all while subjugating an entire race of people for another group of people who now use the Holocaust to do the same thing to Arabs that were done to them 80 years ago. WOW!!!!!