Museum Tells Stories of Arab Americans
2024-04-20
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1Arab Americans have long been a part of life in the United States.
2A small museum in Dearborn, Michigan is trying to tell their stories.
3Called the Arab American National Museum, it has an exhibit about Joseph Haggar.
4He was a Lebanese immigrant who founded Haggar's clothing company in 1926.
5Diana Abouali is the museum's director.
6Abouali said, "He settled in Texas, and he started this pant company that was extremely successful in the 20th century."
7She added, "He also revolutionized the way that pants and clothing were mass produced."
8Haggar came up with the word "slacks" to describe pants that people would wear while relaxing.
9His slacks were worn by many American men including the 36th U.S. president, Lyndon Johnson.
10Stories like Haggar's are important to the museum's mission to show how Arab Americans have been part of American life since the late 19th century.
11"We communicate the American narrative in the voices of Arab Americans.
12They express their experiences in their own words," Abouali said.
13"This provides people with a more authentic and real representation of what it means to be Arab American."
14The museum attempts to share the Arab American experience, including the path to America, home and work life, and service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
15The offerings include an exhibit about the hundreds of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in North Dakota between 1890 and World War I.
16Thousands of their descendants still live in the north central state today.
17Another exhibit includes lists of Arab American passengers on the Titanic, which sank in 1912.
18The museum also tries to change religious misunderstandings.
19"Half of the Arab American community is Christian," Abouali said.
20"And in fact, the earlier immigrants, who came in the late 19th century, early 20th century, were predominantly Christian."
21A "wall of fame" shows other well-known Arab Americans.
22They include reporter Helen Thomas, known as the first woman to end a White House press conference by saying, "Thank you, Mr. President."
23Others are actress Kathy Najimy, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, and Candace Lightner, who founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980.
24Stories of Arab immigrants are often misunderstood among Americans.
25Jasmine Hawamdeh is the director of arts and culture at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
26She said people often think of "the angry Arab, the terrorist Arab," or are "afraid of the Arab that comes from abroad."
27Another harmful idea, she said, is "the oppressed Arab woman."
28The museum tries to correct these false narratives about Arab Americans.
29But Abouali said the museum also tries to present Arab Americans as "ourselves."
30Although Arab Americans come from 22 countries, from northern Africa to western Asia, she said once they settle in the U.S., they become as American as they are Arab.
31I'm Anna Matteo.
1Arab Americans have long been a part of life in the United States. A small museum in Dearborn, Michigan is trying to tell their stories. 2Called the Arab American National Museum, it has an exhibit about Joseph Haggar. He was a Lebanese immigrant who founded Haggar's clothing company in 1926. 3Diana Abouali is the museum's director. Abouali said, "He settled in Texas, and he started this pant company that was extremely successful in the 20th century." She added, "He also revolutionized the way that pants and clothing were mass produced." 4Haggar came up with the word "slacks" to describe pants that people would wear while relaxing. His slacks were worn by many American men including the 36th U.S. president, Lyndon Johnson. 5Stories like Haggar's are important to the museum's mission to show how Arab Americans have been part of American life since the late 19th century. 6"We communicate the American narrative in the voices of Arab Americans. They express their experiences in their own words," Abouali said. "This provides people with a more authentic and real representation of what it means to be Arab American." 7The museum attempts to share the Arab American experience, including the path to America, home and work life, and service in the U.S. Armed Forces. 8The offerings include an exhibit about the hundreds of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in North Dakota between 1890 and World War I. Thousands of their descendants still live in the north central state today. Another exhibit includes lists of Arab American passengers on the Titanic, which sank in 1912. 9The museum also tries to change religious misunderstandings. 10"Half of the Arab American community is Christian," Abouali said. "And in fact, the earlier immigrants, who came in the late 19th century, early 20th century, were predominantly Christian." 11A "wall of fame" shows other well-known Arab Americans. They include reporter Helen Thomas, known as the first woman to end a White House press conference by saying, "Thank you, Mr. President." Others are actress Kathy Najimy, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, and Candace Lightner, who founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980. 12Stories of Arab immigrants are often misunderstood among Americans. 13Jasmine Hawamdeh is the director of arts and culture at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. She said people often think of "the angry Arab, the terrorist Arab," or are "afraid of the Arab that comes from abroad." Another harmful idea, she said, is "the oppressed Arab woman." 14The museum tries to correct these false narratives about Arab Americans. But Abouali said the museum also tries to present Arab Americans as "ourselves." 15Although Arab Americans come from 22 countries, from northern Africa to western Asia, she said once they settle in the U.S., they become as American as they are Arab. 16I'm Anna Matteo. 17Dora Mekouar reported this story for VOANews. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English. 18_____________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20exhibit -n. a presentation using models, pictures, screens, and other objects to tell about something 21relax -v. to be at ease and to not do work 22mission -n. a task or job that requires effort and skill 23narrative -n. a story 24authentic -adj. real, not false 25descendant -n. someone who is related to by blood to an ancestor 26predominantly -adv. mainly; for the most part 27We want to hear from you. 28Our comment policy is here.