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Seattle Post-Intelligencer - August 6, 2005
Arab Americans describe unique struggle
Terror attacks added to burden
By John Iwaski
They fret about their children losing their culture, wish they had their own community gathering spot and grumble about health care providers who don't understand them.
In that respect, Arab Americans in Seattle aren't that different from other immigrant groups or people of color.
But in the post-9/11 world, Arab Americans also face unique problems, such as children who want to reject their Arabic names and a public that often equates Arabs with Muslims.
Those needs and concerns are expressed in a survey conducted by the Arab American Community Coalition for the city of Seattle. A summary was supposed to be released during this weekend's Arab Festival.
Just trying to get people to complete the anonymous, 11-page survey revealed a lingering issue in the Arab American community: fear.
The coalition wanted to survey up to 150 people, originally in person, but struggled to get 100. Many potential respondents refused, questioning why personal information was needed and how it would be used.
"People are kind of exhausted. So much has changed after Sept. 11," said coalition member Devon Abdallah, who is analyzing the survey results. "For a lot of people, a fear factor is there, definitely."
That left the coalition surveying a high number of "gatekeepers," the first- or second-generation Arab Americans who are leaders in their particular Arab communities and more comfortable answering personal questions, she said.
Abdallah said the sample, financed by a $14,000 grant from the Department of Neighborhoods, was not a true statistical picture and "reinforces the subjective knowledge of our community gatekeepers."
More than 70 percent of the respondents indicated that they were U.S. citizens, born outside the United States, Muslims, native Arabic speakers, married and Democrats. More than 60 percent were female, college graduates and registered voters.
"It's more of the educated, more affluent part of the group," said Rita Zawaideh, chairwoman of the Arab American Community Coalition and a native of Jordan. "We're discovering there are huge differences in our community. We do have a very low-income community (also)."
But the more established Arab Americans didn't realize that a lower-economic community existed because they tend to stay within their social circles, Zawaideh said.
The survey indicated that many respondents want a community center for cultural, educational and recreational activities, a place to hold Arabic classes, celebrations and discussions.
The wish list ranged from a spot "for old people to meet and visit and socialize" to a hangout "for dances and meeting people my age. (A) singles club for Arabs."….
Nearly one-quarter of the respondents said they experienced discrimination while traveling by air, during the immigration process, in the workplace and at school.
They protest treatment by the government ("Do Arabs have civil rights?") and by health care professionals ("They don't understand us or where we're from").
Respondents also expressed pride in their heritage, with 100 percent wanting an "Arab American" box to check on identification forms. The reason is simple, one said: "That is what I am."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/235559_arabamerican06.html
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