ASA meets each Monday from noon-1 p.m. in Student Life's Club Corner (SU 250)
Green River’s Arab Student Association upholds the importance of Arab American Heritage Month. As a group whose narrative is often misconstrued, we believe it is crucial to spend time understanding and learning about Arab American identity and culture. This month, we plan to work with our peers and organizations such as the Muslim Student Association (MSA), KGRG-FM, and the Holman Library to promote understanding and celebrate Arab identity.
Follow ASA
What is Arab American Heritage Month
In 2022, the U.S. Department of State recognized April as National Arab American Heritage Month! This came after years of organizing and advocacy by the Arab American since 1989 to celebrate the long and rich history of Arab Americans in the United States.
A great amount of work has gone into this, with The Arab American Civic Council launching the Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2016, initially recognized by only a few cities in Orange County. Over time, the initiative gained momentum, eventually leading to Governor Gavin Newsom's office issuing proclamations identifying April as Arab American Heritage Month. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan introduced and reintroduced resolutions urging congress to formally recognize Arab American Heritage Month and uplift the stories and history of the Arab American community. This ongoing effort pushing for acknowledgement and national cognizance on multiple fronts has led to great strides in the movement to highlight the history of Arab immigrants and their contributions to America.
Arab is defined by being from or having heritage from one of the 22 Arabic-speaking countries. SWANA is a term increasingly used in recognition of the diversity of communities from the South West Asia and North African region. Both terms represent communities with shared experiences of racialization and Othering in the US. Although the federal government recognizes Arab American Heritage Month, few resources exist to support schools in implementing programming and lessons to mark this important month. When available, existing materials do not center the voices of Arab youth, who often feel marginalized in the classroom while being hypervisible by anti-Arab racism and islamophobia in school and in society. This guide reflects their experience in schools and in the communities in which they live. Join us in uplifting Arab youth stories and voices!
-Guide-212x275.jpg)