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|related-c = [[American Jews]], [[Arab people]]
|related-c = [[American Jews]], [[Arab people]]
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}}

'''Arab Americans''' are [[United States|Americans]] of [[Arab]] ancestry and constitute an ethnicity made up of several waves of immigrants from twenty-two [[Arab]] countries, stretching from [[Morocco]] in the west to [[Oman]] in the south east to [[Iraq]] in the north. Arab Americans are also Middle Eastern and North African Americans i.e. terms that do not equate ethnic heritage with nationality, but rather a geographic area. Although a highly diverse ethnic group, Arab Americans descend from a heritage that represents common linguistic, cultural, and political traditions.
'''Arab Americans''' are [[United States|Americans]] of [[Arab]] ancestry and constitute an ethnicity made up of several waves of immigrants from twenty-two [[Arab]] countries, stretching from [[Morocco]] in the west to [[Oman]] in the south east to [[Iraq]] in the north. Arab Americans are also Middle Eastern and North African Americans i.e. terms that do not equate ethnic heritage with nationality, but rather a geographic area. Although a highly diverse ethnic group, Arab Americans descend from a heritage that represents common linguistic, cultural, and political traditions.


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The majority of Arab Americans, around 62%, originate from the region of the [[Levant]], comprising [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Jordan]]. The remainder are made up of those from [[Iraq]], and other Arab nations, which, although small in numbers, are present nonetheless. There are 3,500,000 Arab-Americans in the United States according to The [[Arab American Institute]]. Arab-Americans live in all 50 states and [[Washington, DC]]--and more than 90% reside in the metropolitan areas of major cities. According to the 2000 US Census, 48% of the Arab-American population--576,000--reside in [[California]], [[Michigan]], [[New York]], [[Florida]] and [[New Jersey]], respectively; these 5 states collectively have 31% of the net US population. Five other states--[[Illinois]], [[Texas]], [[Ohio]], [[Massachusetts]] and [[Pennsylvania]]--report Arab-American populations of more than 40,000 each. Also, the counties which contained the greatest proportions of Arab-Americans were in California, Michigan, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, [[Virginia]] and [[West Virginia]].
The majority of Arab Americans, around 62%, originate from the region of the [[Levant]], comprising [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Jordan]]. The remainder are made up of those from [[Iraq]], and other Arab nations, which, although small in numbers, are present nonetheless. There are 3,500,000 Arab-Americans in the United States according to The [[Arab American Institute]]. Arab-Americans live in all 50 states and [[Washington, DC]]--and more than 90% reside in the metropolitan areas of major cities. According to the 2000 US Census, 48% of the Arab-American population--576,000--reside in [[California]], [[Michigan]], [[New York]], [[Florida]] and [[New Jersey]], respectively; these 5 states collectively have 31% of the net US population. Five other states--[[Illinois]], [[Texas]], [[Ohio]], [[Massachusetts]] and [[Pennsylvania]]--report Arab-American populations of more than 40,000 each. Also, the counties which contained the greatest proportions of Arab-Americans were in California, Michigan, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, [[Virginia]] and [[West Virginia]].


According to the 2000 US Census, the city with the largest percentage of Arab Americans is [[Dearborn, Michigan]](southwestern suburb of [[Detroit]])at nearly 30%. Other major communities are in [[Paterson, New Jersey]]/[[Clifton, New Jersey]] and [[Brooklyn, New York]]([[New York City]] metro-area); [[Miami, Florida]]; [[Silicon Valley]]([[San Francisco]] metro-area), ; [[Los Angeles County, California]], [[Orange County, California]](Los Angeles metro-area); the [[San Diego]] metro-area; [[Chicago]] and [[Bridgeview, Illinois]](Chicago metro-area); [[Houston]]; [[Boston]]; [[Jersey City, New Jersey]]; and [[Jacksonville, Florida]]. The cities with the highest percentages of Arabs are [[Sterling Heights, Michigan]]; Jersey City; [[Warren, Michigan]]; [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]; [[Burbank, California]] and [[Glendale, California]]; [[Livonia, Michigan]]; [[Arlington, Virginia]]; Paterson; and [[Daly City, California]].
According to the 2000 US Census, the city with the largest percentage of Arab Americans is [[Dearborn, Michigan]](southwestern suburb of [[Detroit]])at nearly 30%. Other major communities are in [[Paterson, New Jersey]]/[[Clifton, New Jersey]] and [[Brooklyn, New York]]([[New York City]] metro-area); [[Miami, Florida]]; [[Silicon Valley]]([[San Francisco]] metro-area), ; [[Los Angeles County, California]], [[Orange County, California]](Los Angeles metro-area); the [[San Diego]] metro-area; [[Chicago]] and [[Bridgeview, Illinois]](Chicago metro-area); [[Houston]]; [[Boston]]; [[Jersey City, New Jersey]]; and [[Jacksonville, Florida]]. The cities with the highest percentages of Arabs are [[Sterling Heights, Michigan]]; Jersey City; [[Warren, Michigan]]; [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]; [[Burbank, California]] and [[Glendale, California]]; [[Livonia, Michigan]]; [[Arlington, Virginia]]; Paterson; and [[Daly City, California]].


Many agricultural regions in [[California]], like the [[San Joaquin Valley]], [[Salinas Valley]], [[Coachella Valley]] and [[Imperial Valley]] have a history of immigrants from Arab countries involved in the area's rich farming industry. [[Oklahoma]] had a sizable Arab-American population, mainly are immigrants in the oil business came in the 1980s and developed noticeable communities in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] and [[Oklahoma City]]. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
Many agricultural regions in [[California]], like the [[San Joaquin Valley]], [[Salinas Valley]], [[Coachella Valley]] and [[Imperial Valley]] have a history of immigrants from Arab countries involved in the area's rich farming industry. [[Oklahoma]] had a sizable Arab-American population, mainly are immigrants in the oil business came in the 1980s and developed noticeable communities in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] and [[Oklahoma City]]. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}


==Religious background==
==Religious background==
While the overwhelming majority of the population of the Middle Eastern region, and, in particular, the countries of the Arab world, are identified as adherents of [[Islam]], contrary to popular belief, the majority of Arab Americans are [[Christian]], not [[Muslim]] [http://www.aaiusa.org/arab-americans/22/demographics]. According to the Arab American Institute, Christians account for 63%-80%[http://www.alhewar.org/gabriel_habib_What_About_Arab_Christians.htm] of the Arab American population, while Muslims account for 25%, and the rest of the 12% identify as other religion, or no affiliation. The percentage of Arab-American Christians are: Catholics (Roman Catholics, Eastern Rite Catholics - Maronites and Melkites) 35%, [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]] who are at 18%, and [[Protestant]] Christians are 10%. <!-- There are substantial numbers of [[American Jews]] of Arab ancestry, notably are [[Mizrachi Jews]] practiced a unique version of [[Judaism]] for over 3,000 years, and migrated to the US to flee from persecution in the late 20th century. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} -->
While the overwhelming majority of the population of the Middle Eastern region, and, in particular, the countries of the Arab world, are identified as adherents of [[Islam]], contrary to popular belief, the majority of Arab Americans are [[Christian]], not [[Muslim]] <ref>http://www.aaiusa.org/arab-americans/22/demographics</ref>. According to the Arab American Institute, Christians account for 63%-80%<ref>http://www.alhewar.org/gabriel_habib_What_About_Arab_Christians.htm</ref> of the Arab American population, while Muslims account for 25%, and the rest of the 12% identify as other religion, or no affiliation. The percentage of Arab-American Christians are: Catholics (Roman Catholics, Eastern Rite Catholics - Maronites and Melkites) 35%, [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]] who are at 18%, and [[Protestant]] Christians are 10%. <!-- There are substantial numbers of [[American Jews]] of Arab ancestry, notably are [[Mizrachi Jews]] practiced a unique version of [[Judaism]] for over 3,000 years, and migrated to the US to flee from persecution in the late 20th century. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} -->


==Racial status==
==Racial status==
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* [[Fawaz Gerges]], ABC analyst, regular guest on [[Oprah's Anti-war series]]
* [[Fawaz Gerges]], ABC analyst, regular guest on [[Oprah's Anti-war series]]
* [[Zainab Salbi]], co-founder and president of [[Women for Women International]]
* [[Zainab Salbi]], co-founder and president of [[Women for Women International]]

==References==
<references/>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 04:47, 11 August 2007

Arab American
Regions with significant populations
California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Languages
Predominately English, Arabic, others
Religion
Christianity, Islam, Druze and others
Related ethnic groups
American Jews, Arab people

Arab Americans are Americans of Arab ancestry and constitute an ethnicity made up of several waves of immigrants from twenty-two Arab countries, stretching from Morocco in the west to Oman in the south east to Iraq in the north. Arab Americans are also Middle Eastern and North African Americans i.e. terms that do not equate ethnic heritage with nationality, but rather a geographic area. Although a highly diverse ethnic group, Arab Americans descend from a heritage that represents common linguistic, cultural, and political traditions.

Population

The majority of Arab Americans, around 62%, originate from the region of the Levant, comprising Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Jordan. The remainder are made up of those from Iraq, and other Arab nations, which, although small in numbers, are present nonetheless. There are 3,500,000 Arab-Americans in the United States according to The Arab American Institute. Arab-Americans live in all 50 states and Washington, DC--and more than 90% reside in the metropolitan areas of major cities. According to the 2000 US Census, 48% of the Arab-American population--576,000--reside in California, Michigan, New York, Florida and New Jersey, respectively; these 5 states collectively have 31% of the net US population. Five other states--Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania--report Arab-American populations of more than 40,000 each. Also, the counties which contained the greatest proportions of Arab-Americans were in California, Michigan, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

According to the 2000 US Census, the city with the largest percentage of Arab Americans is Dearborn, Michigan(southwestern suburb of Detroit)at nearly 30%. Other major communities are in Paterson, New Jersey/Clifton, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York(New York City metro-area); Miami, Florida; Silicon Valley(San Francisco metro-area), ; Los Angeles County, California, Orange County, California(Los Angeles metro-area); the San Diego metro-area; Chicago and Bridgeview, Illinois(Chicago metro-area); Houston; Boston; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jacksonville, Florida. The cities with the highest percentages of Arabs are Sterling Heights, Michigan; Jersey City; Warren, Michigan; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Burbank, California and Glendale, California; Livonia, Michigan; Arlington, Virginia; Paterson; and Daly City, California.

Many agricultural regions in California, like the San Joaquin Valley, Salinas Valley, Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley have a history of immigrants from Arab countries involved in the area's rich farming industry. Oklahoma had a sizable Arab-American population, mainly are immigrants in the oil business came in the 1980s and developed noticeable communities in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. [citation needed]

Religious background

While the overwhelming majority of the population of the Middle Eastern region, and, in particular, the countries of the Arab world, are identified as adherents of Islam, contrary to popular belief, the majority of Arab Americans are Christian, not Muslim [1]. According to the Arab American Institute, Christians account for 63%-80%[2] of the Arab American population, while Muslims account for 25%, and the rest of the 12% identify as other religion, or no affiliation. The percentage of Arab-American Christians are: Catholics (Roman Catholics, Eastern Rite Catholics - Maronites and Melkites) 35%, Orthodox Christians who are at 18%, and Protestant Christians are 10%.

Racial status

The Arab American National Museum celebrates the history of Arab Americans

Arab Americans in the United States had been categorized as Caucasian American along with other Middle Eastern Americans by all government agencies and for statistical compiling by the United States census, until their official racial category changed to "White."[3] According to one social scientist, fewer people have been using the term Caucasian American, and more people have been using the terms White American and European American.[4] In addition, many people of Arab descent object to the government's classification and the refusal of the US census committee to create a separate category.

Politics

Arab Americans tend to split fairly evenly between the Republican and Democratic parties. Historically, they have tended to vote for Democratic Presidential candidates[citation needed]. However, prominent Arab American politicians tend to be Republican, including New Hampshire Senator John E. Sununu, and California Congressman Darrell Issa, who was the driving force behind the state's 2003 recall election that removed Democratic Governor Gray Davis from office.

Most Arab Americans tend to be pro-life and to support the death penalty. They are also more in favor of gun control. [5] Arab American Republicans often view the GOP as more in line with Arab culture, which tends to be more socially conservative and values entrepreneurship and free enterprise. Those who ally themselves with Democrats may be driven to do so by foreign policy concerns and, in recent years, the Iraq War and the War on Terror.

Famous Americans of Arab descent

Main article: List of Arab Americans

Here are a few examples of famous Arab Americans. Arab Americans are very much involved in politics and are one of the wealthiest ethnic groups in the U.S., however it is hard to calculate their median income as they are classified white under the United States race census of 2005. You can help expand the list, first search for the celebrity and analyze the information.

References

  1. ^ http://www.aaiusa.org/arab-americans/22/demographics
  2. ^ http://www.alhewar.org/gabriel_habib_What_About_Arab_Christians.htm
  3. ^ Ian F. Haney-Lopez, White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race (New York: New York University, 1996), Appendix "A".
  4. ^ Skirble, Rosanne. New Voice of America. 2001. September 4, 2006. [1]
  5. ^ [2]

See also

Arab American Ancestries in the 2000 US Census[1]
Ancestry 1990 1990% of US population 2000 2000% of US population Percent change from 1990 to 2000
Iraqi negligible (no data) negligible (no data) 37,714 0.01% negligible (no data)
Lebanese negligible (no data) negligible (no data) 440,279 0.2% negligible (no data)
Palestinian negligible (no data) negligible (no data) 72,112 0.02% negligible (no data)
Other Arabs negligible (no data) negligible (no data) 582,704 0.2% negligible (no data)
TOTAL 716,396 0.1% 1,275,641 0.42% increased 67.9%

Books

Arab American Organizations

  1. ^ Brittingham, Angela. Ancestry 2000:Census Brief. 2004. October 30, 2006. [3]
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