The Problem of Identity in the American Diaspora: the Case of Immigrants from the MENA Region (1880- 2000)

Abstract

Globalization has made this world smaller, interdependent, and heterogeneous, and with it came the concept multiculturalism and the concerns on identity and individuality, clashes among different cultures became inevitable. All this can be linked with large process of immigration that the world has known in the late 19th century and the 20th century. While immigrants leave their home country for many reasons, by choice or necessity, the impacts that result affect both the individual and the society. The U.S. is considered one of the countries that enjoy its cultural diversity. In the case of Arab immigrants, they came to the U.S. either seeking a better life, or fleeing prosecution. They come from completely different culture, language, and religion. This move makes them prone to face one or more challenges: assimilation, integration, separation, or marginalization. This paper tried to research the acculturation process of immigrants from the MENA region in the U.S and the results on their identity from the first major wave in 1880 to 2000. Results show a variety of potential barriers that hindered the Arab immigrants from successfully integrating into the United States society. Cultural and religious differences, distinctions in moral and ethical values, perception of gender relations, demonization of the Arab population in mass media, and discrimination are the major factors causing the overall struggles of the acculturation process