Arab American Heritage Month

Why do we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month?

We celebrate in order to honor Arab Americans and to recognize the invaluable contributions they make to our shared culture and society. One year ago, U.S. President Joe Biden officially proclaimed April as National Arab American Heritage Month. He affirmed that “the achievements of Arab Americans are reflected in the arts and sciences; in businesses and faith communities; in classrooms and hospitals; and in police stations, firehouses, and every branch of the military, [but]… even as Arab Americans enrich our Nation, many continue to face prejudice, bigotry, and violence” (Biden, 2023).

Social justice is one of our stated values at Clark, and as such, we have made an “institutional commitment to produce equitable outcomes and challenge systems of power privilege, and inequity” (Clark College, 2021). Let us celebrate Arab American Heritage Month while recognizing the important work that still needs to be done toward achieving those outcomes.

How can I celebrate Arab American Heritage Month?

Learn about the Arab American experience from the voices of those who live it

Here are just a few of the books (and eBooks) written by Arab American authors available from the library. For a wider selection visit the library to see our upcoming special display.

• Inclined to Speak: An Anthology of Contemporary Arab American Poetry by Hayan Charara. (eBook version)
• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
• Culture, Class, and Work Among Arab-American Women by Jen’nan Ghazal Read
• Amreekiya: A Novel by Lena Mahmoud
• Looking for Palestine: Growing up Confused in an Arab American Family by Najla Said

Celebrate in your kitchen by baking a man’oushé (“Arabic pizza”)

The 70 recipes in this cookbook written by Lebanese born Arab American Barbara Abdeni Massaad can guide you. Check it out today!

Man’oushé: Inside the Lebanese Street Corner Bakery by Barabara Abdeni Massaad

Recite Arab American poetry to a special someone in your life!

This collection of poems by Arab American Laila Halaby touches on a wide variety of themes from love, community, identity, and much more.

My Name On His Tongue Poems by Laila Halaby

Visit the Arab American National Museum (in book form)!

This oversized book gives readers a visual and narrative tour of the museum’s major exhibits.

Telling Our Story: The Arab American National Museum

Other resources to check out:

• Prayer and reflection space: Please inquire with the library. The library number is 360-992-2151, dial 2 to talk to staff who will be able to give you access. The prayer and reflection space will be available during the hours of 8:30am-7pm Monday through Thursday and Friday from 8:30am-4pm during Ramadan until April 9.
• Clark College Diversity Center
• Interview with Palestinian American artist Amjad Faur discussing in-depth the works he brought to Clark College’s Archer Gallery in 2014.

Sources:

“A map of the Arab World with flags” by Transparent 6lue derivative work: The Egyptian Liberal is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Biden, Joseph R. (March 31, 2023). “A Proclamation on Arab American Heritage Month, 2023”

Clark College (January 7, 2021). “2021-2026 Social Equity Framework”