audiobook Arab in America by Toufic El Rassi in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. It is good; but too generalized...By B. KeilaniI would say that I experienced prejudice as an Arab-American before. I think if I hadn't mentioned that I was Arab-American; it wouldn't have happened. They would have thought I was Italian or Greek since I'm light. Generally; I have not faced problems since I don't fit the profile that Toufic El Rassi fits that profile. Ray Hanania wrote a book called; "I am glad I look like a terrorist". If you look like some conceived stereotype you will get stopped sometimes by the authorities; people might say derogatory things to you; but if you are light skinned like many people from Lebanon and Palestine; then they don't bother you unless you have a name that's stereotypical. That's why many Arab-Americans changed their names when they came to America a long time ago. It's not only since 9/11 that Arabs have had problems. When the US attacked Iraq in 1991; many Arabs were treated like enemies because the American education system is horrible and doesn't teach people about geography and cultural differences. Also; people like Toufic El Rassi are Christian and many Arabs if they are not Christian; are often secular. And if something happens in Iraq; why should someone from Syria be harassed? Iraq and Syria technically have been enemies. When there were hostages in Iran in 1979; people who were swarthy were often suspected of this or that even if they weren't Iranian. I am sure Jews who fit the profile also have been harassed; and some of them hate Arabs. I liked the comic by Toufic El Rassi. I didn't experience so much harassment like he did; but I think the stereotypes are too much. Many people from Damascus; Beirut; or Amman don't fit the stereotype. Also; not all the countries are the same. Such old ideas need to go. Since Americans don't get much of an education; and they see a lot of TV and Hollywood as Rassi seems to say; they; of course; will stereotype people from that part of the world. El Rassi embraces Left politics; because he wants justice for all. I think Toufic exaggerates somewhat. Immigration is overwhelmed. It deals with so many non-speakers of English. They can't know how long he lived in the U.S. They have a tough job. As far as Israel and racism against Arabs; pro-Israeli groups promote anti-Semitism against Palestinian Semites; which is one reason people like El Rassi faced discrimination; and Walter Mondale returned the money of Arab Christian donors because it seemed risky to take their money. Hillary Clinton had to return money to an Arab donor; I believe. The Left in the US; with some exceptions; ignores the occupation and suppression of the Palestinians. However; that's a generalization by El Rassi. Plenty of the very Left wing of the Democratic Party dislike what Israel is doing to the Palestinians and that includes many American Jews. I think El-Rassi generalizes too much; but I understand it's hard not to with a comic. I can understand how many Americans will be paranoid about security and freak out about a t-shirt that says "we don't be silent" and they don't know what's written in Arabic. People are going to be paranoid; and in the Middle East in some of the countries people would do worse than some Americans; but; America; as an advanced; Western country that is supposed to have a good education system should have people who are more knowledgeable about the world. However; as Cronchite said Americans are woefully ignorant; and that's why so many American soldiers died in Iraq. It was so easy for Bush to mislead people and lie to them. I think El-Rassi should be more understanding as an Arab-American; IMHO. At least; that's the opinion of this Arab-American. I can understand why El Rassi is mad. I mean his home was searched without a warrant; it appears; because an ex-boyfriend of his aunt had a visa violation in Canada? In the climate of ignorance and paranoia many people who fit a stereotype could face problems including Sephardic Jews. You're swarthy; then you are dangerous. I don't see this everywhere. In my town; I don't really see it. I know a guy from Saudi Arabia; and he tells me he loves how Americans are so kind to him. We do need books like El Rassi's because stereotypes need to shatter; but Americans need not be stereotyped too much; either.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five starsBy CustomerGreat book5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. "On the defensive" www.guardian.co.ukBy L. JimenezThe GuardianOn the defensiveCraig Taylor rounds up recent releasesSaturday March 22; 2008Arab in America: A True Story of Growing Up in America by Toufic El RassiThose looking for lush artwork and nuance will do well to skip El Rassi's autobiographical tour of his troubled American existence; but Arab in America is more complex and rewarding upon closer examination. The scrawled black and white drawings track a journey from El Rassi's birth in Beirut to his struggles with and in America. He understands he's different after a childhood production of The Wizard of Oz places his face among his classmates - a "dark splotch" beside the white. From there he examines his family and his role in this eternal war against terror that seems to have shuffled him into the opposing camp. Why do they have to be referred to as "our troops"; anyway; he asks. Not only does El Rassi feel the sting of racial slurs; but he often receives the wrong ones altogether: "Americans don't even know who they're supposed to hate."He explores the different degrees of Muslim activism through the reactions of the friends around him. Throughout El Rassi remains an inert figure; held in by the contraints of his personality and his culture. The struggle to find an identity is kickstarted finally by Rage Against the Machine and a reading list of revolutionaries. Even then El Rassi questions the best intentions of the liberals around him. He decides to become a US citizen to save himself from a possible one-way ticket out. The work is most powerful when El Rassi is recounting his own failures; his missed opportunities and outrages; petty or otherwise. The post-9/11 context he's gathered to illustrate his thesis seems to be snipped from newspapers. At its best; his personal history is enough to illustrate a life lived constantly on the defensive.