An Election of Change for Arab Americans

Few Arab Americans expect that a Barack Obama presidency would be different from a Bush or McCain administration when it comes to Israel.

But why should Arab Americans expect more from Obama than they do of themselves?  Think back to Obama's speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in June.

Most Arabs focused on Obama's remarks on Jerusalem. Few noted his salute to AIPAC's "lifeblood," its grassroots activists of "all ages, from all parts of the country, who come to Washington year after year to make your voices heard" -- 7,000 of them. 

Arab American events draw nothing like those numbers. And while AIPAC activists are mobilized 24/7, Arab American political energies tend to dissipate in between gatherings.

The truth is this. Communities that can bring the power to bear -- money, votes, and organization -- will keep an elected American on their side of the court. Unless Arab Americans can muster that kind of power, they won't even get close to the court.

But this may change. The Arab American level of engagement in this electoral campaign is unprecedented -- and unprecedentedly Democratic. According to a Zogby International study conducted for the Arab American Institute (AAI), the Democrat/Republican break stands at 46/20 compared to 40/38 in 2000.

Arab Americans may be critical of Obama's Middle East policy, but like other Americans their biggest concerns are jobs and the economy, as the Zogby poll affirmed, followed by the war in Iraq and foreign policy. And  Barack Obama is viewed as the candidate best equipped to tackle the economic crisis.

There are three noticeable differences about this election:

First, Arab organizations started early, and collaborated more closely. The most notable effort is AAI's bipartisan Yalla Vote (yalla is Arabic slang for "Let's go!" -- usually shouted out at a group of friends.)

AAI engaged other Arab American groups and 50 organizations responded in the effort to get out the vote. They shared materials, voter engagement training, and a common declaration of Arab American aspirations. This is significant: Arab Americans constitute some 5% of the electorate in Michigan, and nearly 2% in each of Virginia and Ohio.

Second, Arab Americans have been collaborating closely with other groups and communities. The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is working with civil liberties groups to protect voters of all ethnic groups.  An ADC voter protection unit, staffed by lawyers, has fielded monitors in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and Michigan.

AAI is collaborating with the Latino community on online phone bank tool to call supporters. Around 400 Arab Americans signed up as volunteers to work the phone bank -- more than double numbers engaged in previous campaigns.

Community collaboration is also taking place at the grassroots. In fact, it's easier at the local level, where organizational turf issues don't play out. In several instances, Arab Americans (most of whom are Christian) have made common cause with American Muslims, particularly from the Indian subcontinent in their electoral effort.

One Arab American community stalwart from Virginia went even further, and organized a multi-ethnic event to support a Democratic Congressman. The mix included Americans of Arab, Indian, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and 10 other ethnic backgrounds. They were initially startled to see each other at the reception but then mingled happily -- and raised $55,000.

Third, Arab American grassroots have zipped up to the plate. One longtime observer of the community said that so many had felt so harmed by Bush Administration policies that "this sleeping community woke up, from professionals to shop owners to students."

The grassroots are raising the kind of money that should get them seen and heard.  Two community members in Virginia pledged to raise $50,000 to secure an address by a major leader at a candidates' night -- they raised $70,000. Community members in St. Louis Missouri raised over $100,000 for the Obama campaign during the primaries.

Arab Americans kids are a major factor energizing the community. Like other American youth, they are inspired by Obama's message of change -- although this was shaken by his AIPAC speech. They have donated and volunteered -- and pushed their parents to do so.

Arab American youth have not grown up with the same fears that their parents - many escaping war, dictatorships, and brutal intelligence services -- brought to these shores. They feel protected enough to be active in the American political process.

Who knows? Even though both campaigns have kept Arab Americans at arm's length, this election may be a turning point for a community that has not been easy to mobilize or tap beyond its generosity for humanitarian needs. If Arab Americans can turn out organization, money, and votes in a systematic fashion, they will find that their elected officials will start to listen -- very carefully -- to their message from the president on down, no matter who wins an election.