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Students must reassess own biases toward Arabs

(Eric Frey)

The Middle East in the Midwest forum Feb. 8 at Miami University brought together students, scholars and activists to discuss issues related to Middle Eastern identity in the contemporary American heartland. Many Americans of Middle Eastern descent face prejudice and discrimination as a result of political fear-mongering and media portrayal. Because such perceptions often stem from unawareness, the academic environment is a setting where stereotypes should be reexamined, and where simplistic ethnic misrepresentations can be replaced with a multifaceted understanding of culture. In light of these points, the forum provided an opportunity for students to reassess their own cross-cultural understanding, while addressing many of the challenges met by Middle Eastern Americans living in the Midwest and the United States.

It is especially relevant to hold this type of seminar at Miami. While Ohio and Michigan are home to a large immigrant Arab population, Miami's student population does not adequately reflect this demographic. In our day-to-day lives, not many Miami students have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with someone of Middle Eastern descent, and of an Islamic identity in particular. The university has a responsibility to continue making the effort to maintain student dialogue and connect with minority groups.

Ignorance of the diversity of Middle Eastern culture, however, is not just endemic among southern Ohio's population - it extends all the way to the nation's capitol. Congressional Quarterly editor Jeff Stein showcased a dismal lack of knowledge of Muslim culture among lawmakers in a New York Times article published Oct. 17, 2006. Stein's interviews of Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.) and Gary Bald, the FBI's counterterrorism chief, revealed that both were unable to describe even basic cultural and political differences between the Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim sects.

Simplistic media and pop culture representations of Muslims and the Middle East are reflected back in people's lack of appreciation for the diversity and depth of Middle Eastern culture. Popular shows such as 24 have perpetuated stereotypes and substituted fear in place of eclecticism.

Considering Miami's lack of cultural diversity, the forum was a beneficial opportunity for students to become better informed of the concerns of the Midwest's Middle Eastern minority. This multicultural event affords students a chance to reexamine unfounded fears and biases while broadening their cultural horizons. With popular focus on the Middle East for obvious reasons, it was refreshing to hear presenters speak about its rich cultural heritage and discuss how that heritage is kept alive in the insular Midwest.