This Resource Guide reflects the diversity of cultural traditions and the immigration experience of Americans from the approximately twenty modern nations associated with the geographical term the ‘Middle East.’ Its organizational principal is geographical rather than ethnic or religious. The majority of Americans who have immigrated from the Middle East are Muslim and this guide reflects that experience. The diversity of Jewish global heritage and the Jewish-American experience will be the exclusive focus of April’s resource guide and advisory conversations.*
*However, in light of the recent attack in Texas, some advisories may choose to focus on learning more about ANTISEMITISM which is relevant to conversations about the Middle East. Students should feel free to choose a resource from this LIST (also posted HERE).
Please note that the speaker in this video uses racial slurs in her talk to capture her own experience and the ways in which we stereotype one another.
Watching the news, it seems like ethnic divides are ever-deepening. But how can we solve these complicated problems when each side lives in fear of the other? The answer is simple, argues Syrian-American poet Amal Kasir--it stars with "What's your name?"
Faiza Almontaser emigrated from Yemen with her family in 2006. She documented the challenges of growing up Muslim in America in "Poet Against Prejudice.
In 2003, the Palestinian village of Budrus mounted a 10-month-long nonviolent protest to stop a barrier being built across their olive groves. Did you hear about it? Didn't think so. Brazilian filmmaker Julia Bacha asks why we only pay attention to violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict -- and not to the nonviolent leaders who may one day bring peace.
"When war between Israel and Iran seemed imminent, Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry shared a poster on Facebook of himself and his daughter with a bold message: "Iranians ... we [heart] you." Other Israelis quickly created their own posters with the same message -- and Iranians responded in kind. The simple act of communication inspired surprising Facebook communities like "Israel loves Iran," "Iran loves Israel" and even "Palestine loves Israel."
There are many organizations who's mission is to provide information, conduct research, and develop programs about the Middle East. These organizations aim to provide a balanced examination of a region in the world that is fraught with tensions and varying goals in their countries.
This limited podcast series, produced by Randa Samih Abdu, looks to identity issues among first generation Arab-Americans in Tucson. After talking with experts in both landscapes, Abdu identifies problems and solutions that first generation Arab Americans face and what resources are available for them. It was produced in The Daily Wildcat, a publication of the University of Arizona.
Filmmaker Nadine Natour turns her lens on her parents and her home town Appomattox, VA to capture the story of her parents' emigration from Palestine to the United States.
After a visit to a European library in search of arabic and Middle Eastern texts turned up only titles about fear, terrorism and destruction, Ghada Wali resolved to represent her culture in a fun, accessible way. The result: a colorful, engaging project that uses LEGO to teach Arabic script, harnessing the power of graphic design to create connection and positive change.
When only one side of a story is told, the truth can be blurred or completely disjointed. When Maryam arrived in the U.S. she encountered stereotypes and predisposed opinions causing her to hide her own identity as Iranian. She now describes how she rekindled the pride she once had for her motherland, Iran, through curating a photo exhibit that celebrates Iran's rich culture, diversity and beauty.
