Beyond Erasure and Profiling: Cultivating Strong and Vibrant Arab American Communities in Chicagoland

Join Prof. Nadine Naber and Prof. Nicole Nguyen in a conversation about the findings of the newly released report.

This report captures the conditions and experiences of Arab Americans in the Chicagoland area. The report uses demographic research, surveys, focus group data, as well as expert commentaries by organizers and academics to analyze how systemic inequities and anti-Arab/anti-Muslim racism affect the lives of Arab Americans in employment, education, health care, housing, and policing. The report engages with the diversity of experiences among Arab American communities and their common challenge in navigating being at once hypervisible as a result of commonplace stereotypes as well as invisible due to being classified as white by government agencies and due to the general lack of knowledge about Arab Americans in our society.

This report was produced by the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy in partnership with several Chicagoland Arab American community organizations: UIC’s Arab American Cultural Center, Arab American Action Network, Arab American Family Services, Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance, Sanad Social Services, and the Syrian Community Network. By mapping the challenges facing Arab American communities and making proposals for change, the report will be used as a resource for advocates working to build strong and vibrant Arab American communities.

To download a copy of the report, visit IRRPP’s website.

This event is part of Arab American Heritage month events. The Arab American Cultural Center is organizing a series of events to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month during April. The state of Illinois designated April as Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) in 2018 and the Department of State recognized it nationally in 2021. During April, Arabs and Arab Americans are honored and celebrated for their historical contributions, culture, traditions, history, arts and overall social presence as a community in the United States.

Space is wheelchair accessible. Refreshments will be served.