Arab American Heritage Month

As Arab- American heritage month concluded in April, I began to reflect on what this month means to me, and how I can celebrate it during this time of social-distancing. Normally on campus at this time, Turath would be hosting our annual “Arab Gala” in the Diana Event Oval, and I would celebrate this event with friends, family and strangers with some delicious food and a night filled with dancing. Beyond this month, it’s important to recognize and highlight Arab- American students and celebrate our backgrounds, identities and contributions to Barnard. Through the classes I’ve taken at Barnard (I highly recommend taking classes in the MESAAS department!), the clubs I’ve joined, and the people I’ve met, I know that being here has empowered me to embrace my identity and claim it proudly. As I personally reflect, I also asked my peers what they thought being Arab-American meant at Barnard, and how they celebrated this month. Here are our thoughts:

Norah Hassan (2021) : 

Arab- American heritage month is a chance to celebrate our backgrounds and an important part of who we are. Interestingly enough, one way that I celebrated this month was through reflecting on the many things the Arab- American community has accomplished at Barnard. Barnard has given me an Arab- American community of people that I can rely on, share ideas with, and celebrate our background in ways I never have before. Last year, Turath / MENA Women’s group hosted a conference to celebrate Middle Eastern and North African Female Excellence, where we got over 80 participants with incredible speakers. We also put together events such as the Arab Gala, where we play Arabic music and dance together all night. At these events we have so many people from our community of all backgrounds attending, and I truly see it as a way that Barnard has empowered us to celebrate who we are and bring in the rest of the community to engage with us and learn from us. 

So, if there’s anything I would want prospective students to know, it’s that Barnard and our whole community wants to celebrate who you are, and invites you to do so. Whether it's at events, within clubs, or in our classes, we are constantly able to bring our knowledge and passion of the Arab world and our backgrounds to our community at Barnard. 

Grace El- Fishawy (2022):

Hey! My name is Grace El-Fishawy and I’m a sophomore at Barnard studying Sociology and Education and a proud Eygptian-American :)  My family is from Egypt, but I grew up in New Haven, Connecticut where I did not know a single other Arab or Arab-American person - outside of my family - until I was a senior in highschool. Throughout high school I struggled to make sense of my Arab-American identity. Like many Arab-Americans, I felt simultaneously hyper visible and invisible. Some classmates told me I was “basically White” (I have the extreme privilege of being largely White-passing) and should stop pretending to be otherwise while others told me that my family members were probably terrorists. It was a strange and incredibly confusing experience to say the least. Truthfully, it was not until I came to Barnard, almost two years ago now, that I ever felt comfortable claiming my Arab-American identity. Thinking back on it now, I don’t understand how I lived the first 18 years of my life without the incredible community of Arabs and Arab-Americans that I discovered at Barnard. 

To me it is so important to celebrate Arab-American heritage- this month - and every month because Arabs and Arab-Americans far too often go under recognized and under celebrated. Think about the last movie you watched or book you read. Sadly, there were probably not that many people of color, if any, in it, and I would hazard to guess that unfortunately there were almost certainly not any single Arabs or Arab-American characters represented. Frustratingly, even in conversations about “diversity” and “representation” Arabs and Arab-Americans are often left entirely out of the conversation - as though we do not even exist. Even on the Census and most demographic forms, Arab / Middle Eastern identity is grouped in with White - thus essentially rending Arab and Arab-American identity invisible. There are complicated, historical reasons for this, but the result is that too many Arab-Americans, like me, grow up and spend most of their life feeling invisible. Celebrating Arab-American heritage month is most definitely not going to solve all of our problems. However, I would like to think that it is absolutely a step in the right direction.

 Finally, if I could say anything to my younger self or any other Arabs or Arab-Americans out there who might feel like their identity does not matter or like they don’t belong anywhere - I would say be patient and never forget that you do matter - one day you will be incredibly lucky like me and find yourself at a place like Barnard where you will meet the community and second family that you didn’t know you’d been missing your whole life. 

Dhuha Saraireh (2023) : 

Hi! I’m Dhuha Saraireh and I am a first year at Barnard College with an intended major in computer science and mathematics. Although I was born and raised in New York, my entire family is originally from Jordan and have done an exceptional job passing down stories and knowledge to keep our traditions and culture strong. To me Arab American Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Arab- Americans to rise in solidarity against any negative stereotypes and embrace our rich and fascinating culture. Barnard has allowed me to find this community and has introduced me to the many different types of Arabs, all from different backgrounds and ethnicities. It has allowed me to overcome this constant struggle I’ve been battling with between being Arab and American and outwardly embrace my culture. I’ve found this cultural medium between being Arab and American and have had the opportunity to share and appreciate the myriad of differences between both worlds. 

Mysarah Zahran (2023) :

Hi! My name is Mysarah Zahran, I am a Freshman at Barnard College studying Neuroscience and Behavior on the Pre-Med track. I am a proud Egyptian-American born and raised in the heart of New York City. Both of my parents were born and raised in Cairo, and their upbringings have had a tremendous effect on my connection to my culture, my heritage, and my love for being Arab! I personally feel that without my culture, I would have nothing. Being an Arab means that I get to experience all of the ups and downs with the extraordinary, and dedicated, people in my community. Whether that be the absolute best weddings and music in history ––ever––, the delicious Arab cuisine, or even the loving and most supporting funerals. From one extreme to the other, I am always surrounded by the most supportive people throughout the good and bad times. 

Coming from the city, luckily, I do not feel as though I have been underrepresented. There are a plethora of Arabs dispersed throughout the city, and communities dedicated to Arabs, where our culture, and especially our food, exist in abundance. I have never had trouble finding a community in the city, and would love to solidify myself amongst a similar community at Barnard over the next three years! I didn’t move far from my home on the Upper East Side to Morningside Heights, and I think that we can have a greater Arab presence all over campus due to our location being in the greatest city on Earth! However, I am well aware of the struggles that many other Arab-Americans face in almost every other part of the country that is not New York City––to be accepted and welcomed in their communities, let alone find an Arab community to be a part of. For these reasons, it is extremely important for me to be celebrating Arab-American heritage month. I love sharing the diversity of the Arab culture to my peers and would love for people to be aware of the beauty and the diversity of our culture. Any chance that I get on campus, I advocate for Arabs, and share parts of my culture to anyone willing to listen. 

On campus, I feel welcome, and respected as an Arab. I have a diverse community of Arabs with CU Turath, in which we celebrate our diverse identities with each other as well as with non-Arabs. We make sure to celebrate the Arab identity by hosting events open to the entire campus, like Hookah on Low, and the Arab Gala –– featuring delectable food, spectacular music, and rich language. To address the immediate needs of the Arab community at Turath, we have frequent game nights and hangouts to build that sense of community with each other. I appreciate them now more than ever, because of our current situation! I want all students to know that there is a place for you here on campus, whether you are Arab or not –– and to not get sucked in by the frequent, gross misrepresentation of Arabs in the media. The Arab community is so accepting and loving on campus, and we love welcoming new people –– never hesitate to reach out! After all, you are in the greatest city on Earth … I think that’s all that needs to be said!