The Impact of 9/11 on the Arab-American Community and Civil Liberties
Event Featuring:
Overview
Mr. AbiNader addressed obstacles to the civil and political empowerment of Arab-Americans, and how the events of 9/11 have impacted the community. While a number of government agencies have threatened the liberties of Arab-Americans, Mr. AbiNader argued that the political climate has contributed to the mobilization of the Arab-American community - a movement that the US government could use advantageously to strengthen foreign policy toward the Middle East.
Event Summary
Since the inception of the Arab-American Institute in 1985, the organization has faced challenges on two fronts: unifying the Arab-American community, and promoting political activism within that community.
To successfully build unity, organizers must bridge the gap between established Arab-American elected officials and community mobilization supporters. The Arab-American agenda must be distinguished from that of American Muslims. However, a collective Arab-American identity is difficult to create within a community where individuals tend to identify themselves according to the national origin of their families, as opposed to referring to themselves as “Arab”.
There are further challenges with regard to political action. It is difficult to create a political culture within a population that has little previous experience with the American democratic process. It is also hard to reconcile the Arab-American community with its status as a minority group.
The prevalence of television has provided Arab-Americans with a stronger connection to the Arab World, whereas previously the community was more detached from political and social events in the Middle East. Mass communication has helped both define the community’s political agenda and build support for it within the community. On the other hand, since 9/11 Arab-Americans also find themselves described in the Media as “people of color” and associated with the Third World. Singled out by the press as a group, the community has gravitated toward acceptance of collective identity and development of political consciousness.
Mr. AbiNader asserted that the US foreign policy of pre-emption has had implications for domestic civil liberties. He cited recent changes, including the selective application of the Entrance/ Exit Program and the rolling back of the 1974 Privacy Act. Rather than utilizing the rising political consciousness of Arab-Americans advantageously, some government agencies have implemented discriminatory practices, including racial profiling. Mr. AbiNader proposed that US agencies could benefit from the involvement of Arab-Americans in government, particularly in security and military affairs. For example, government staff training and field administration by Arab-Americans could strengthen the US position in Iraq. US initiatives such as the “Road Map,” the Middle East Free Trade Agreement, and the Middle East Partnership Initiative also have the potential to benefit from Arab-American participation.
About this Event
Speaker Details
Jean AbiNader is Managing Director of the Arab-American Institute, President & CEO of the international marketing strategy firm IdeaCom, and a professor at Georgetown University. He was a founder and former president of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce from 1986 to 1993.
Attributions
Sabrina Balgamwalla, who holds a BA in political science from Bryn Mawr College, prepared this summary; Ethan Arnheim and David Chambers of MEI's Programs Department edited.
