Author

Lama Abbasi

Date of Award

Spring 2012

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Global Honors

First Advisor

Charles Rowling

Abstract

While diversity and inclusion are commonly regarded as American ideals, minorities often feel out of place in "mainstream" American society, marginalized by misconceptions of culture, religion, and politics. In this thesis, the author analyzes the struggles of Arab Americans, focusing on issues such as racial classification, the contradictions of the Arab and American identities, and the influence of U.S. foreign policy and the media on public perceptions of Arabs and Muslims. The paper concludes with suggestions on how educational and societal curricula can correct misconceptions about Arab Americans and other minority groups.

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