The document discusses hate crimes and discrimination against Arab Americans. It provides examples of hate crimes such as assault, harassment and hate mail. It also gives examples of discrimination in the workplace and by airlines. It discusses the role of the Anti Discrimination Community in combating defamation of Arab Americans and promoting understanding. Finally, it suggests actions people can take to prevent hate crimes such as encouraging tolerance, respect for others, and education.

1. Prepared by: Eman Rashed

2. I. Introduction II. What is a Hate Crime ? II. Examples Of The Hate Crimes III. Examples of Discrimination a) Workplace b) Airline IV. Anti Discrimination Community (ADC) V. What can you do ?

3. Hate Crimes, discrimination, and defamation of Arab Americans are widespread and permeate the workplace, the service industry, the media, the schools, and federal agencies. Many Arab-American problems are tied to major U.S policy issues i.e. U.S Middle East policy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, concerns about international terrorism, and current immigration debates.

4. The FBI defines a hate crime as: A criminal offense committed against a person or property which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, ethnic/national origin group, or sexual orientation group.

5. The lack of understanding or recognizing another persons personal beliefs, culture, or customs. He invasion of an area where one group of people is predominant. Being raised to see your people as superior.

7. Assault and Battery Harassment Murder Hate Mail Threats Fatal shooting Arson Vandalism

8. Arab World Online received a hate letter filled with racial epithets and threats such as “ We will bomb you back to the stone age which isn’t too far back for most of you. The author of the hate e-mail wrote “ We will give up the Golan when you pry our cold dead fingers off of the nuclear weapons we will launch on all your cities and oil fields before we go down. He also called Arabs "all of you sons of camels” and defamed Islam, Mohammed and The Quran. The message was signed:” From the freedom loving people of Israel, the U.S”

9. An Arab-American family has been allegedly harassed, threatened and verbally abused by a neighbor since 1996. The neighbor and her two children allegedly destroyed the Arab-American family’s garden, vandalized and trespassed on their property, parked in their assigned space, shot air guns at their car, jumped on their car and deflated in the tires. The neighbor also allegedly threatened to break the Arab-American children’s legs, kill their daughter, and plant drugs in the house .

10. Termination 1996 – Bellevue JC Penney allegedly fired a woman because she refused to remove her hijab. According to the Arab-American, the manager told her: “You have to make a decision whether or not you want to keep this job. You take off your scarf or leave. “ He then asked her to “clock out now” upon her refusal to remove her head scarf for religious reasons.

11. Denial of Promotion 1997- Dearborn An Arab – American engineer employed at Ford Motor Company reported being discriminated against by his direct manager due to his Arab background. The engineer was denied performance and promotion opportunities for the last seven years despite positive reports. The manager allegedly transferred the Arab American employee to another department without his consent.

12. Lufthansa Airlines 1996 – Dulles International Airport Two U.S. citizens of Middle Eastern origin were picked out of the check-in line by security personnel at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., as they were waiting for their Lufthansa flight to Syria. The airport security agent told them they were picked based on their travel destination. However, they were the only ones profiled, even though the other passengers waiting in line were also going to Syria. Security personnel extensively searched their luggage for half an hour .

13. Treatment of Arabs, Muslims at US Airports Racial Discrimination

14. ADC is at the forefront in combating defamation and negative stereotyping of Arab Americans in the media and wherever else it is practiced. In doing so, it acts as an organized framework through which Arab Americans can channel their efforts toward unified, collective and effective advocacy; by promoting a more balanced U.S. Middle East policy and serving as a reliable source for the news media and educators . By promoting cultural events and participating in community activities, ADC has made great strides in correcting anti-Arab stereotypes and humanizing the image of the Arab people. In all these efforts, ADC coordinates closely with other civil rights and human rights organizations on issues of common concern.

15. Reporting of hate crimes must be encouraged Government – Political Discourse. A message of encouraging tolerance, non-discrimination, understanding and respect for all must be voiced. The media can play a very positive role in promoting inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue and harmony Education is an important point. Especially younger generations should be provided with educational programs that would foster tolerance, understanding and respect to “the other.

16. Hate crimes don’t have to happen in the world. If people can accept others the way they are, hate crimes will never occur.