Page - 209 - in Media – Migration – Integration - European and North American Perspectives

Kenneth Starck | Perpetuating Prejudice 209 - To build bridges of mutual respect and understanding between the Arabic-speaking and American peoples - To create networks for Arab-American professionals, academics and students - To present the Arab and Arab-American cultural arts in their various forms to American audiences (U.S. and Canada) - To assist in the growth and development of the Arab World by providing the professional services and skills of its membership when needed The history of the Association of Arab-American University Graduates is the history of a profound and irreversible intellectual and personal awakening of Arab-Americans to the critical issues affecting their original homeland and the powerful role of the United States in shaping the forms and the consequences of those issues. It is a history also of the events in the Arab world and their impact on the status and rights of Arab-Americans. The June 1967 war changed the Arab-American community by jolting many of second and third-generation Arab-Americans and causing a highly hostile attitude toward Arab-origin individuals in the U.S. and Canada. In a book about the early years of the association, The First Decade, an overview of early AAUG history, describes the feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt and despair and helplessness that engulfed the community. The earlier immigrants began to understand the reasons for the hostility directed against them and became more active in understanding that part of the world that was now so much to affect their lives in their American environment. The June 1967 war acted as a catalyst for the older and newer Arab-Americans to realize and emphasize their common cultural and linguistic heritage. 9.2 The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) http://www.accesscommunity.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ACC ESS_History2 The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services began operating out of a storefront in Dearborn’s south end in 1971. It was truly amazing – people volunteering their time to serve the community. ACCESS’ beginnings are humble, and we have made such great progress in the past 36 years…