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First off, I know the term Arab is controversial in itself, and I've come across a number of Lebanese, Syrians, and Egyptians who don't consider themselves Arabs but rather descendents of Phoenicians and such. However, going by US Census definition, we'll include them as Arabs.
My question is why doesn't American society accept Arabs to be part of the White race? Is it because they're tanned? And if so, why do Italians and Greeks classify as White but Arabs do not? Either way, 2/3 of the Arabs in this country are Lebanese and Syrian, they're fully assimilated, Christians, and some are blonde/blue eyed. John Sununu (Bush Sr.'s Chief of Staff), Tony Shalhoub (aka Monk), Doug Flutie, Michael E. Debakey are of Lebanese descent and they could all pass for any American of any European ancestry.
My father tells me this has increased since 9/11. Pre-9/11, many considered Arabs, in particular Lebanese and Syrians, to be White. Then after it, some people in the country just wanted to single us out, as "Arab Americans."
Thoughts?
I may have a unique perspective on things since I am a native born white of European ancestry who worked for a number of years in a Lebanese Restaurant in the Jewish part of town (West Bloomfield, MI) near the largest concentration of Arabs outside of the Middle East (Dearborn, MI). My personal experience with persons of Middle Eastern ancestry is that Muslims separate themselves from the rest of the culture. I found this to be true long before 9/11. A lot of Jews do the same thing and I understand why. They have a strong sense of ethnic/religious identity and seem less interested in my American Christian point of view than a Christian Lebanese individual or even Chaldean. I have also had business dealings in Dearborn over the years and experience the same thing there as I do in West Bloomfield, I am seen as an outsider. I always thought it was particularly odd that a Jew, aside from religion, would see me as somehow different. But within the ranks of waitstaff of the various restaurants I graced over the years, I made a lot of Jewish friends and dated one too. I also got snubbed occasionally. Not so with Muslims. They have been politely yet consistently standoffish. Maybe it has more to do with a sense of humor. Jews will bust on their culture and religion and mine too. I've worked with Jewish waters who would don felt reindeer antlers at Christmas time for a laugh. The Chaldeans I've meet are also a little looser and interact in a more casual sort of way. Intuitively I would say whites of European ancestry who regard Arabs as being non-whites may not even understand the many differences that persons of Middle Eastern ancestry posses. Maybe at this point, a lot of whites just want to not have to try to distinguish between one group and another. Maybe post 9/11 we're just tired and unsure of ourselves and want to withdraw to the ones we know with certainty are our own. Nothing personal friend.
I can't believe so few people have caught on to the obvious answer: Because this stuff is made up as it goes along.In the future, if it becomes convenient to consider Arabs as White as Poles or Italians, then let it be written and let it be done.
It is because they are not Caucasian and not European . it doesn't matter a little number of them are white or have green eyes but more of them are tanned and they are no Caucasian .
It is because they are not Caucasian and not European . it doesn't matter a little number of them are white or have green eyes but more of them are tanned and they are no Caucasian .
Aren't the Italians, Greeks, Spaniards and Portuguese tanned?
I always considered Arabs more Black anyways even though most of them are White complected.
Indians are considered Caucasian. And they have people as dark as Africans.
Personally, I find this race thing utterly stupid. For that matter, people from Israel are often identified as Caucasian/White but Lebanese, Syrians and other Arabs/Semites won't be. "White" people with native American heritage (a part of) are acceptably identified as Caucasian/White, but at the same time, Mexicans with Spanish/Native heritage are Hispanics, yet Spaniards will be considered Caucasian White. Turks are considered Caucasian/White, however.
And yes, Indians are considered Caucasian (Non-White), and that would make the Arabs Caucasian as well. After all, present day Europeans are descendents of civilizations that flourished in that region. But then, humanity is said to originate in Africa, so we're all, technically, Africans.
Personally, I find this race thing utterly stupid. For that matter, people from Israel are often identified as Caucasian/White but Lebanese, Syrians and other Arabs/Semites won't be. "White" people with native American heritage (a part of) are acceptably identified as Caucasian/White, but at the same time, Mexicans with Spanish/Native heritage are Hispanics, yet Spaniards will be considered Caucasian White. Turks are considered Caucasian/White, however.
And yes, Indians are considered Caucasian (Non-White), and that would make the Arabs Caucasian as well. After all, present day Europeans are descendents of civilizations that flourished in that region. But then, humanity is said to originate in Africa, so we're all, technically, Africans.
I prefer a single race: human. Anybody with me?
I agree with most of your comments with one exception.
What race do you consider the Arabs from Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia?
First off, I know the term Arab is controversial in itself, and I've come across a number of Lebanese, Syrians, and Egyptians who don't consider themselves Arabs but rather descendents of Phoenicians and such. However, going by US Census definition, we'll include them as Arabs.
My question is why doesn't American society accept Arabs to be part of the White race? Is it because they're tanned? And if so, why do Italians and Greeks classify as White but Arabs do not? Either way, 2/3 of the Arabs in this country are Lebanese and Syrian, they're fully assimilated, Christians, and some are blonde/blue eyed. John Sununu (Bush Sr.'s Chief of Staff), Tony Shalhoub (aka Monk), Doug Flutie, Michael E. Debakey are of Lebanese descent and they could all pass for any American of any European ancestry.
My father tells me this has increased since 9/11. Pre-9/11, many considered Arabs, in particular Lebanese and Syrians, to be White. Then after it, some people in the country just wanted to single us out, as "Arab Americans."
Thoughts?
You've got to be kidding! American whites accept anyone else as human?
The White American considers himself to be the most exclusive being on the planet. Why do you think these exclusive specimens of the human race would dirty themselves by accepting others?
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