From Symbolic to Real Change; Arab American Heritage Month
Our nation’s leader stated, “I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 2023 as Arab American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to learn more about the history, culture, and achievements of Arab Americans.”
But how can a community be truly recognized by our government if they are not counted by our government? As we close this month, let's move from symbolic to real change – let's count Arab Americans as a distinct MENA category in the 2030 US Census.
The Census started in 1790 with three racial categories: Free Whites, All Other Free Persons, and Slaves. Since then, categories representing the growing diversity of Americans were added.
The 2020 Census was historic for me because I checked Asian, and then for the first time also was able to check my racial subcategory - Indian.
But the Census still does not accurately represent key backgrounds; Black residents are undercounted, there is a lack of clarity for Hispanic subcategories, and there is no category at all for Arabs.
Arabs are currently counted as ‘White’ on the US Census. Imagine having virtually none of the benefits of being White in America while instead adding to the number of White Americans!
Why is the US Census important? First, representation matters. The Census identifies race (among other demographics) and is utilized to ensure residents can elect public officials that understand them - and some that actually come from their communities.
Secondly, resources matter. The government identifies residents’ needs and allocates money and resources based on Census data. This includes where schools are built and which languages official documents are translated to. Corporations may decide where the next franchise is located or which ethnic foods a grocery store carries based on Census data.
Arabs Americans are citizens, refugees, and immigrants. They are rich, poor, and middle class. They are Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. Yet they do not count as Arab in the US Census.
Symbolic gestures such as Arab American Heritage Month are a start, but we need more tangible steps from our government. The 2030 Census is being prepared right now – and all of us can be powerful allies by taking a few simple actions as we close this month:
Forward this email to friends or create your own social media post
Call, tag or write to the White House, your U.S. Congressperson, and others
State that we expect Arab Americans to be correctly counted in the 2030 Census
President Biden said, “The Arab American story is the American story.” Let’s truly tell that story - and count that community!
Dr. Dilara Sayeed President, Muslim Civic Coalition