April 30, 2007

We were the first and only group to have taken issue with the recent exposé in the Star Ledger (NJ's largest daily) on Paterson's Arab-American community. The paper perhaps unwittingly depicted a rosy picture of the community's economic and political clout. It would be a dream come true if their depiction was the prevailing  reality of Paterson. As I briefly outlined in my response letter, Paterson's Arab community, while not dormant, is still in its political infancy - and has yet to effectively impact decision making there.

A website reader was "terribly upset with our gloomy depiction" and wished we did not "uncover the reality" as it really is. While we do respect and welcome differing views, it would hypocritical and self-destructive if we hide the true conditions of our community - partly because it is wiser and more prudent to complain about the lack of political and economic empowerment so as to solicit attention and maybe some empathy.

It is a fact that Paterson's Arab community and the many businesses strewn on South Main Street have progressed forward in immeasurable ways. The pivotal and missing link is the convergence of all these apparent successes into a definable political force, a decisive economic base. It is no secret that there exists no Arab chamber of commerce - and moreover, Arab merchants have no tangible presence in the larger Paterson chamber of commerce.

To claim to be something we are not would amount to a cry-wolf-saga - and an unwarranted self-mutilation.  More importantly, it would be an example of double standards if we deceptively portray Paterson as a thriving political and economic hub. Consequently, how can we blame others for doing the same?

 To read the Star Ledger story
 To read our published response
 To read our original submitted response