Culturally Speaking

The room was full of people eager to hear my views.  On June 15, 2008, I spoke at the Teaneck based  Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County  about an  intriguingly titled Sunday morning program, "Cocooned No More, Arab and Muslim Americans Unveiled."  Over an hour long of Q&A format  program, Society Leader, Dr. Joseph Chuman,  sought my input on a wide range of issues ranging from the history of our community, its demographics, its concerns and its hopes for the future.  A recording of the talk will be available soon. I also believe the Bergen Record which covered the event will write a story soon.

This program was particularly important because of all the animosity and misunderstanding that has been centered on people of Arab ethnicity since the events of 9/11. These problems have grown over time, according to Dr. Assaf, at least in part because most Americans have not had much exposure to Arab culture. This is natural since the largest wave of Arab immigrants did not come to the U.S. until the late sixties.

The Ethical Culture Society believe very deeply in the dignity of all people and, as a result, in the inherent obligation to protect everyone’s civil rights, the Society is very pleased to provide this opportunity for the fostering of understanding with the local Arab community.

If you are given an opportunity to speak about your culture, your personal experiences , do not hesitate and avail yourself. For only through such seemingly incremental steps do we begin to mainstream our proud history and contributions to the mosaic of this nation.

Of note is the fact that Dr. Chuman is a Religion professor at Columbia University, my alma mata.