ALBANO: I’M TIRED OF PREJUDICE AGAINST ARAB-AMERICANS

It really grates on me when I am regularly reading online, especially on Facebook, and in other media outlets where people are bashing Arab-Americans, especially our very own Dearborn Arab-Americans.

It riles me up more when I read ignorant people running for political seats who claim we have Sharia Law in Dearborn, and ignorant, prejudiced “so-called” pastors and Christian groups coming to Dearborn to stir the pot with their innuendoes and false comments about Arabs, especially Muslims.  I won’t bother naming these people, because they don’t deserve any more publicity to further their one-sided causes.

In addition, anyone claiming to be Christian who preaches hate about anyone is someone anyone in his or her right mind should NOT be listening to or following.

Most of these phony Christians have no clue what they’re talking about when they preach hate and intolerance towards Middle Eastern people, because if they would take the time to get to know many of them, as I have, they would be proud to call them their neighbors and friends.

If us Christian, west Dearborn residents are so smart, and so special, then why is it that our once proud, thriving west downtown Dearborn is struggling, there are more empty suites there than occupied suites, and we have to pay to park from Military to Oakwood?

Yet thanks to our Arab-Americans neighbors, both Christian and Muslim, we have beautiful east Dearborn shopping areas, and we can walk anywhere in east Dearborn, day or night, and feel safe.  

Dearborn’s Arab-Americans have literally rebuilt downtown east Dearborn at Michigan and Schaefer, and on Warren Avenue.  Back in the 1980’s these areas looked old and tired, and yet today they are thriving, beautiful business areas, and all offer FREE parking.  Our very own Arab-Americans have also rebuilt the neighborhoods of east Dearborn, and in my many trips there, the neighborhoods look as good, if not better than many in west Dearborn. 

Arab-Americans have done this by living the American Dream and doing it much better than most other non-Arabic Americans, in my opinion.  They are masters at the work ethic, starting and owning businesses, and they teach their children the work ethic at a very young age.  If you don’t believe me, just walk into most any Arabic business, and you will see young children working, which I believe is a wise thing to teach children at a young age, because they learn life is hard work, dedication, and not all fun and play.

I know many of Dearborn’s Arab-Americans, Christian and Muslim, and when you are their friend, they treat you as good as, if not better than your own friends do, and in many cases, they treat you like family, much like my Italian forefather’s and many other nationalities forefathers did, as well.

Some have invited me over to their homes, their businesses, to an event, and more, and in their treatment of me, it is obvious they could care less what my religion, nationality or descent may be. 

They are much like our Eastern European immigrants in how they deal with family, friends, and the work ethic.  The exception is that Arab-Americans have taken the work ethic to new heights, and I have NO doubt all of us could learn plenty from them.

A recent article in the Detroit News stated that per the census, Arab-Americans are thriving in the U.S., and their median income is higher than the average American.  Therefore, it should be obvious to us, that Arab-Americans are very smart people, a people we should be proud to call our neighbors and friends.

I welcome them to Dearborn and am proud to have them as neighbors and friends, and you should feel the same way, as well.  Without these dedicated, wonderful Arab neighbors and business people, it is highly likely that east Dearborn would have turned into another Detroit with all it’s crime and blight.  And that is something no one can argue with...