Are there any AP'ers of an Arab/Middle Eastern background?

[EchoPark]

A bit of background on myself. My parents migrated to the US from Lebanon in 1970 and settled in Toledo,Ohio where,along with SE Michigan(notably Dearborn),there is the largest Arab-American population in the entire United States. They came to the US for a better life and to escape the tensions and fighting that had started to really take shape between Muslims(both Sunni and Shi'a),Christians and Druze.





Just curious to know if there are any other people in the AP.Net universe who have an Arab/Middle Eastern background.Have you experienced any racial profiling and/or discrimination before or after 9/11.

How have you handled it and how have you reacted to the stereotypes that are painted of Middle Eastern people by society in general.

[Chancetobe]

Well... I'm not. But, one of my best friends is. Aside from always being searched at airports, she says it really isn't too bad. She does however get annoyed when all of the politicians claim to be pro-Israel and against Palestine.

Her job this year is getting Arab Americans to vote. Apparently because of that CNN is hoping to follow her around on election day, which is pretty cool.

[boykosaurus]

I can get away with saying I'm Lebanese even though I'm not. But my concentration is Arab/Islamic studies, so I guess that makes me half.

[tambam]

Yeah, I'm originally from Iraq. But no, I haven't experienced discriminaiton.

[ArTkY_]

My family is Pakistani/Indian. We've pretty much been lumped into the same category as you guys, and everyone thinks we're Arab when we're not. When I say there's a difference people for some reason don't believe me.

[Lueda Alia]

I'm from Eastern Europe. Does that count? :-)

[mattybobviously]

I'm from Eastern Europe. Does that count? :-)
Close enough!

[Lueda Alia]

Close enough!
Indeed. I can relate to their culture quite a bit, because Albania was invaded by the Ottoman Empire for 500 years.

By the way, Tristan and I will most likely be in Vermont for New Year's. We should meet!

[mattybobviously]

Indeed. I can relate to their culture quite a bit, because Albania was invaded by the Ottoman Empire for 500 years.

By the way, Tristan and I will most likely be in Vermont for New Year's. We should meet!
We should, I will inevitably be wandering around Burlington since there isn't much else to do.

[Lueda Alia]

We should, I will inevitably be wandering around Burlington since there isn't much else to do.
Haha there really isn't much to do in that state. I did find it a little boring, to be honest. But oh well.

You might even know some of Tristan's friends, so yeah, you can come hang out with us. :-)