Loading ...Yalla, Feminists: Arab American Women Fighting for Change
By: Lina Abirafeh / Arab America Contributing Writer
It’s not easy being Arab American these days.
We’re all trapped in a complex mess, straddling conflicting worlds and (re)negotiating loyalties. I’ve always toggled between being “more Arab” or “more American” – often in reaction to whatever socio-political project is underway. These days, I’m fully entrenched in my Arab identity. I’m guessing I’m not alone.
This fluctuation is intensified by global crises.
The post-9/11 era significantly exacerbated these challenges, creating a climate of fear and suspicion that disproportionately targeted us and our communities. Today, the ongoing genocide in Palestine and crises in other Arab countries further amplify these tensions. Who can blame us if we’re stressed and depressed? And mad as hell.
Western media coverage is biased – and too often dehumanizing. This has fueled an overwhelmingly hostile environment where we’ve had to defend our identity – and prove our humanity. The emotional toll of witnessing the suffering of our homelands from afar is one thing. Add to this the fear of being targeted for our identities, our voices, our views.
The rise in anti-Arab rhetoric online and anti-Arab sentiment offline has created an environment of insecurity. If ever we felt at home in the US, today many of us do not.
Now add the dynamic of being an Arab American woman. We’re navigating a messy web of challenges, caught between our Arab heritage and our American identity, in a world that floods us with negative stereotypes about our existence.
I am shocked at how often I need to say this, but being a feminist and being Arab are not mutually exclusive. Feminism is – and always has been – alive and vibrant in the region. There’s nothing uniquely “American” about rising up and resisting, about demanding our rights to live full, free, and equal lives. Judging by the state of the US these days, these very rights are under question everywhere.
Feminism did not need to be imported or imposed on the region. It has always been there. Trust me, I wrote a whole book about it.
And for those of us in the “women’s movement,” things are even more messy. I thought I was a global feminist, but the fissures in feminism have been exposed, fully on display. Western feminism has felt more alienating than ever. And still, I will never be made to choose between being an Arab and being a feminist. These aren’t contradictory. They exist in me – and probably in many of us.
Sure, amongst us we may disagree about many things. But right now we are under attack on multiple fronts. It’s better if we stand together – as much as we can. And defy the divisions of diaspora vs those who “stayed.” We’re in this one together.
And here we are, with another International Women’s Day upon us. Last year I wrote about Arab American women whose names we should know. Those names remain important – and celebrating our successes is critical. But this year, our commonalities are far greater than our differences.
It is worth remembering that International Women’s Day was founded on resistance. In 1911, women — and men — took to the streets to demand rights for women to work, to vote, and to hold public office. And it is worth remembering that no country in the world has achieved equality for women – a fact many Western countries tend to forget, as they point fingers at “other countries, over there.”
If we need reminders of what resistance looks like, check out Palestinian women. They’ve been on the forefront of it for decades. Maybe we can use this “women’s day” to listen, learn, and amplify the voices we often fail to hear. Our own voices.
We know that the opposition is strong, and seems to be gaining power. This is a war fought on many fronts – our land, our people, our rights, our freedoms, our food. And it is a fight for women’s rights as well – for our rights as women to be recognized and respected.
Today is not a day of performative activism and charades of activism. Feminist movements are built on grassroots grit and political power.
Either today is for all of us, or it’s nothing.
Despite these obstacles, we’re resilient. Let me be honest: I hate that word. We’re only resilient because we have to be, because the world doesn’t seem to let us catch our breath.
And we are active – we are hypervigilant about the world and our place in it. We challenge stereotypes, build community, and advocate for social justice. We are doing more – and doing better! – to reclaim our narratives, using our voices to amplify our causes and share the stories of our communities and countries.
And this may be obvious to some, but women – including Arab women – bear the brunt of care. We are our community’s social safety net. Those emotional burdens are heavy. We need to look after ourselves and each other – self care and collective care. We need to stay strong – because by the looks of things, this fight will be long.
As Arab Americans, we can support our women here – and there – by:
- Amplifying voices that allow Arab American and Arab women to share their experiences and perspectives. As one example, start here.
- Challenging stereotypes and negative narratives, countering them with accurate portrayals of our cultures and identities.
- Building solidarity with other marginalized communities to advocate for social justice and equality.
- Creating safe spaces where Arab American women can connect, seek support, and strengthen their networks.
- Supporting mental health resources- and seeking help ourselves. There are Arab therapists out there ready to support us. There’s no stigma here – this is lifesaving stuff.
- Promoting civic engagement: Encouraging Arab American women to participate in civic life and to advocate for policies that address our needs. And supporting those brave Arab American women who are on the frontlines – we’re lucky to have them representing us!
- Donating to organizations that support Arab American women and Arab women – there are many great organizations on the ground doing work that we can be proud of.
International Women’s Day is about celebrating our successes and acknowledging our progress. But for me it’s more about solidifying our commitment to the causes we care about, clarifying our demands, raising our voices, and not backing down. Resistance.
If ever there was a time for it – it’s now.
Lina AbiRafeh is a women’s rights expert, activist, and aid worker with close to three decades of experience creating positive change for women around the world. Contact her and sign up for her newsletter: http://www.LinaAbiRafeh.com
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