Created Equal: Reflecting on Arab American grief in the diaspora
A year since the start of the Israel-Hamas war that has devastated Gaza, Arab Americans are grieving the loss of loved ones abroad.
A pro-Palestinian rally is held outside the Dearborn Police Department.
One year since the Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza, countless more displaced and injured. More than 1,000 Lebanese have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
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Arab and Jewish Americans in metro Detroit have been processing grief, frustration and anxiety since the war started.
For Lebanese Americans in metro Detroit, the expansion of the war into Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah brings back memories of war and occupation of years past.
“The trauma is unimaginable. It’s affecting people’s lives daily. We’re all in grief and shock and horror,” said Diana Abouali, the director of the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.
“Everyone that I interact with in Dearborn, in the Arab American community in southeast Michigan, I find a deep sense of community.”
James Zobgy, the co-founder of the Arab American Institute, says that sense of community and collective grieving is difficult to find.
“For the most part, we walk alone with our pain, and it’s a difficult one to explain,” Zogby said.
Use the media player above to listen to the full conversation with Abouali and Zogby.
Guests:
- James Zogby is the president and co-founder of the Arab American Institute.
- Diana Abouali is the director of the Arab American National Museum.
Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.
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