Arab New York: Politics and Community in the Everyday Lives of Arab Americans

Arab Americans are a small but significant part of the US population, and their political engagement is complex. Emily Regan Wills' book Arab New York explores the importance of politics in Arab American communities in New York, focusing on the spaces of public and communal life in the five boroughs. It examines topics such as Arab American identity, relationships with Arab and non-Arab Americans, young women as leaders, support for Palestine, and revolutionary change in Egypt and Yemen. Wills argues that to understand Arab American political engagement, one must understand them in their own terms of political and public engagement. The book provides a narrative picture of a community engaging with politics on its own terms and serves as an introduction to Arab American communities, ethnic dynamics, and everyday politics.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 26 February 2019
\n Publisher: New York University Press
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Arab Americans, a numerically small but significantly scrutinized population in the United States, have faced disproportionate political attention. Despite their limited representation, non-Arab Americans often have limited knowledge about the realities within Arab communities and organizations. The Arab American experience revolves around significant political questions, such as how politics permeate their daily lives.

In her book, "From Bay Ridge to Astoria: Exploring Political Action in Arab New York," Emily Regan Wills delves beyond conventional notions of political engagement to examine the significance of politics in Arab American communities in New York. Wills focuses on the public and communal spaces within the five boroughs of New York, which house the third-largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country. Arab American identity is multifaceted, encompassing various ethnic and religious groups, making their political engagement complex.

Through interviews and participant observation with activist groups and community organizations, Wills explores various themes related to Arab American political engagement. These include the construction of Arab American identity for children, relationships between Arab and non-Arab Americans, the roles of young women as leaders in the Muslim and Arab American communities, support for Palestine, and the revolutionary changes in Egypt and Yemen.

Wills argues that understanding Arab American political engagement requires a deep understanding of Arab Americans on their terms. She emphasizes that they are profoundly engaged in everyday politics and public affairs, shaping the political landscape and advocating for their communities. By examining their experiences, Wills offers valuable insights into the complexities of Arab American political participation and its impact on society.

This book is a valuable contribution to the study of Arab American politics and society, shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of a marginalized yet influential population. It provides a nuanced understanding of the political dynamics within Arab American communities and highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing their contributions to American politics.

\n Weight: 326g\n
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781479854875\n \n