Arab in Alabama: 10 reasons to love Birmingham

posted on: Mar 28, 2017

By Karim Samshi-Basha
Birmingham magazine

Considering the family I came from lives thousands of miles away–across an ocean and a continent–I have made my own family right here in Birmingham.

It’s easy to reflect on why I love Alabama–home to the most down to earth people, and an odd sport called “foot” ball, except they carry the ball with their hands, and it’s not even a ball! I am often confronted by outsiders who raise their eyebrows awhile uttering the name like they were under a spell: You live in ALA-Baa-MA???

Yes, I am an Arab American. And yes, I absolutely love it here. So without further ado, here are the top ten reasons why I dig it here.

1. My Babies: I have three beautiful, smart, and sweet children that love this state and consider it home, although the youngest has threatened to attend college in Australia. Would that be down under, or down yonder?
2. My Friends: Alabamians might be the friendliest folks around–except on football Saturdays when it’s accepted to holler insults at your neighbors.
3. My Work: Journalism in Alabama may not be as exciting as it is in New York or Los Angeles, but where else would you write stories about squirrel hunting and a hipster fashion designer in the same day?
4. My Past: Having been born in Damascus, Syria, the oldest inhabited city on earth, I appreciate Alabama history. From the Civil War to Civil Rights, Alabama has chronicled a rich narration.
5. My Future: Alabama is on the precipice of becoming recognized internationally for higher education, leading industry, and thriving tourism. We have become a destination state. When I moved here in the early ’90s, I would hear this often: “Alabama? Isn’t that on the way to the beach?” It is–but it’s also got tons of things to do in itself.
6. My Surprises: At least once a week, I am stunned after meeting someone or learning about an intriguing topic. Alabama is full of fascinating places, a rich past, a promising future, and people that make this state a darn cool place to call home.
7. My Landscape: From north to south to east to west, nothing about Alabama is monotone. You can float in space and visit a peanut farm on the same day. Travel south and you could swim with the dolphins. If variety is the spice of life, Alabama will make you holler.
8. My Ecosystem: Alabama ranks among the most diverse states in fauna, flora, and wildlife. I know people who fly for hours to hunt and play here. Montana has nothing on us except the cold, which they can keep.
9. My Culture: Birmingham has been featured in national magazines and televisions shows for offerings like the Civil Rights Trail, a storied food scene, sports, craft beer, nightlife, and rich art and music.
10. My Diversity: I love how I am treated here as an Arab-American: with deep respect and genuine love. The folks of this state have learned from history and are charting a tolerant future that includes all of us.

Please relish in the fact we live in a country where our lives are protected, in a city and state where smiles and hugs are obligatory, and in a Crimson Tide/War Eagle universe where the preacher exempts you from loving your neighbor on
football Saturdays.

I live in Birmin’ham y’all . . . and I love it.

-Karim Samshi-Basha