Arabs, identity and the media

One of my clients, one of the more high-profile people I represent, is of partial Arab extraction. Since I began representing her, we've run into road-blocks when discussing her ethnic background. Many in the media refuse to acknowledge it. Our theory is that having her be widely known as an Arab American would turn the notion of what an Arab is, what an Arab is supposed to look like, what an Arab is supposed to act like, etc. on its head and society at large isn't ready for that.

So what do we do to assert ourselves and our identity in the media and in the world? Do we call upon well-known people of Arab descent to rep' it more forcefully? Do they have an obligation to do so?

Discuss.

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7 comments for this article

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Added: February 22, 2009. 12:25 PM CST

Never Hide

I understand your client's fear, however, never be ashamed of your blood and heritage. This is who you are and no one can take this from you. Be proud and stand up plus help other Arab-Americans to enter the media world like Tony Shalhoub.

Hadel

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Added: August 19, 2007. 05:24 PM CST

Arabs, identity and the media

Josephine, when you say 'many in the media refuse to acknowledge it,' are you referring to people on her payroll or those running the story? A lot of times PR reps will not disclose similar information about their clients for fear it would have more of a negative impact, if any at all... If it's the latter and the media outlets themselves decided to leave that part out, I'd be curious to find out what reason they gave for it.

Arabisto

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Added: August 19, 2007. 05:16 PM CST

Paula Abdul

Why would you think that would disqualify her? Religion has no bearing on whether or not you are an Arab.

Arabisto

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Added: May 06, 2007. 04:25 PM CST

Paula Abdul

More then one source (http://www.answers.com/topic/paula-abdul) says Paula Abdul’s father is a Syrian Jew, her mother is a Canadian Jew. Does that disqualify her?

Robby

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Added: April 17, 2007. 06:33 AM CST

To Haloush

Haloush: Do you have any proof that Paula Adbul said that? If you do I'd like to see it.

scott

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Added: April 17, 2007. 12:43 AM CST

Be Proud of who you are!

Both Paula and Shakira have admitted their Arab heritage (although Shakira more so). But the idea that the celebrity is participating in the media's 'hiding' (or lying by omission) re his / her ethnicity is rediculous. Is he / she ashamed of it? (How much of an arab link is there by the way? I mean is one of the parents an Arab? Has there been ANY Arab influence in this person's life?) There are a number of Arabs (be they arab american, westernized arabs,catholic or muslim) who don't fall in to the a-typical view of what 'Araaabs' should be. It's high time we stop listening to people say 'the world isn't ready for that yet' when in actuality it IS. I can't even begin to count the number of times people were taken aback when they found out I'm an Arab Muslim. It IS the responsibility of Arabs (and those with an Arab heritage) who are in the public eye to show the world that we're not all radical fundamentalists.

haloush

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Added: April 16, 2007. 05:18 AM CST

Let it out

Tell the world who you are and don't be ashamed of your heritage? I am not here to judge but is it Shakira or Paula Abdul becuase there are rumours about them being part Arab, but I don't think they've ever come out and said it.

scott

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