Learn What You Can
Our enemy? Ignorance. Our weapon? Words. Education is our only weapon in the fight against prejudice. Learn it and use it well. You can do so at the following websites:
Global Connections - A PBS website dedicated to educating about the Middle East religiously and culturally.
Caught in the Crossfire - A site that personalizes the issues through stories of individual Arab Americans. It also provides viable factual information about Arab Americans today.
The Arab American Institute - A proactive website excellent for learning about the contributions and involvement of Arab Americans within our country.
Jihad: War, Terrorism, and Peace in Islam - A collection of essays and websites providing information about Islam and it's teachings of peace.
U of Southern California Compendium of Muslim Texts - A site educating about the Middle East, covering both political and social issues as well as dealing with common myths and stereotypes.
Join The Fight
Luckily, we are not alone in this fight. Many have begun the fight through the foundation of organizations and institutions. Find a group and simply join. Your voice alone can help aid our plight. Find one that suits you? Join a local chapter, and if there isn't one then make one. Just do something. According to the great Edmund Burke, "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little." Don't make that mistake. Get out there and do what you can. If not for your sake, then for that of those around you. Here are some to get you started:
The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee - An active organization linked in Washington DC working to defend Arab Americans against discrimination and promoting a balanced foreign policy within the Middle East.
The Arab American Institute - An organization promoting Arab American involvement in the U.S. government.
Council on American-Islamic Relations - An involved, religious organization working to further the status of Islam within our nation.
Be Proud
If you are Arab, be proud and let it show. If not, it doesn't matter. Be proud of what you are. Japanese, African, Indian, Russian, the list can go on. Be proud of what you are, no matter what. In order to prove the stereotypes wrong to others, we have to let them know what they are looking at. After all, how does anyone prove anything without pointing out the problem?
Spread the Word
One person can make a change. All you have to do is look as far as those around you. Friends, family, and our culture have tremendous influences over our thoughts and opinions. Get informed, hear the facts, speak the truth. Let people know the whole story. Stereotypes just over-simplify what is really there, eliminating the essential details. Get the details and spread the word.