Arab American News Publisher: This Is A Critical Point For Race Relations
“America is changing and they’re not accepting this change.”
“These people come here, they seek refuge,” says Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani. “They do not seek trouble. They are running away from trouble.”
The nation is at a critical juncture in terms of race relations, says Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News. It is especially critical for Arab-Americans, he says, because of the way they’ve been linked to the presidential race.
“People are afraid that we’re losing control here,” says Siblani. “America is changing and they’re not accepting this change.”
There has never been an incident where a refugee has committed a terrorist attack in America, he says. Despite this, there has been a lot of fear directed toward Arab-Americans and Muslims. Republicans have capitalized on the trepidation toward home-grown terrorism, he says. Democrats, says Siblani, have responded by playing up the fear of Donald Trump.
He says Arab-Americans are discriminated against daily, even by their own government. For example, instead of being welcomed home at the airport, they are often questioned for hours.
“Most of the time these people are victimized by our own policies,” says Siblani of Arab and Muslim immigrants. “These people come here, they seek refuge. They do not seek trouble. They are running away from trouble.”
To hear more of the conversation with Osama Siblani, click on the audio player above.
