Black Lives Matter Resources for Arab-Americans

posted on: Dec 16, 2020

By: Dani Meyer/Arab America Contributing Writer

We begin by offering condolences and prayers to the family of George Floyd and all other families who had loved ones taken from them by police violence and systemic racism. In our grief, we are reminded that there are things that each and every one of us can do to educate ourselves and those around us.

As Arab-Americans, we take this moment to recommit ourselves to the work we must do within our own communities. We must collectively work to eradicate anti-Blackness and racism from wherever it exists within our own communities.

While this is by no means an exhaustive list of resources to help with the Black Lives Matter movement, we have tried to compile some helpful resources, especially geared towards the Arab community. 

Donate, support, and get involved with the efforts of local and national Black-led organizations, such as:

• Al Maauun
• Muslim Anti-Racist Collective
• The Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee
• Arab Resource and Organizing Center
• SWANA-LA
• M Power
• Inner-City Muslim Action Network
• Palestinian Youth Movement
• Arab-American Action Network

Follow Afro-Arab influencers and artists:

• Amna Hamdto
• Abeer Sinder
• Nia Amroun
• Khadega Mohammed
• Mayada Adil
• Mazen Awad
• Sahar Koje
• BlackMaroccan
• Sara Elsayed
• Junaynah El Guthmy

Educational resources:

• Six Ways for Arabs to Resist anti-Blackness
• A panel on Palestinian solidarity with Black communities
• A panel on doing business in Black neighborhoods
• An explanation of the prevalence of Blackface in Arab communities
• Learning about anti-Black racism in Arab communities
• The Kafala System Explained
• Black Lives Matter: What is the movement and why is it important (Arabic)
• The Non-Black Arab for Black Power’s Manifesto

Books:

The Limits of Whiteness – Neda Maghbouleh

Articles:

From blackface to bleaching creams, racism is clear-cut in the Arab World – Lynn Sheikh Moussa, Beirut Today

Anti-Blackness in the Arab World and the Violence That Doesn’t Get a Hashtag – Bahira Amin, Scene Arabia

Racism in the Arab World: An Open Secret – Yasmine El-Geressi, Majalla

Confronting anti-black racism in the Arab World – Susan Abulhawa, Al Jazeera

The Arab World needs to admit it’s racist – Mat Nashed, Middle East Eye

Being ‘black’ in North Africa and the Middle East – Laura Menin, Open Democracy

Here’s Why Some Black Muslims Feel Uncomfortable with Islamic Societies at University – Suaada Abdulaahi, Amaliah

POC Need to Call Out Anti-Blackness Within Our Own Communities – Alya Mooro, Restless Network

We Need to Talk About Racism in the Arab World – Ty Joplin, Al Bawaba

Anti-Blackness in the POC Community – Katy Jalili, Shades of Noir

The outrageous racism that ‘graced’ Arab TV screens in Ramadan – Hana Al-Khamry, Al Jazeera

Mixed Up: ‘There is anti-blackness in Arab communities – My own mum gave me skin-bleaching cream’ – Natalie Morris, Metro

And click here for a more comprehensive guide to allyship!

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