Panel challenges Arab stereotypes

WORKSHOP SEEKS TO DISPELL ARAB AMERICAN STEREOTYPES
--IMAGES AND PERCEPTIONS OF ARAB AMERICANS

Arab Bashing in America: Fact or FictionPress Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Warren David313-999-6000Siham Awada Jaafar313-910-1955

DEARBORN, MI, April 28, 2006 –Arab Detroit will host aneducational workshop, "Images and Perceptions of Arab Americans" on Wednesday May 31, 2006 from 8:30am to 2:00pm at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Fairlane Center, 1900 Hubbard Drive, Dearborn, Michigan.

Recent events such as the Danish cartoon and Dubai Ports controversies have made Arab bashing fashionable in America. This workshop will examine the culture and diversity of Detroit’s Arab American community and explore the image of the Arab American in the media and the effects of prejudice and discrimination. Finally this workshop will address vital issues affecting Arab Americans, utilizing humor as a vehicle for confronting stereotypes.

"This workshop goes beyond the everyday headlines and looks at some of the vital and pertinent issues affecting Arab Americans in southeastern Michigan," says Siham Awada Jaafar, Vice President of David Communications and one of the principal organizers of the event. She went on to say, "We are hopeful that participants will have a more accurate understanding of Arab Americans as a result of this informative event."

The workshop presenters include:Hon. Mary Rose Oakar, former Congresswoman and national President of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in Washington, D.C.

Ray Hanania, award-winning writer, author and comedian from Chicago.

Dr. Nadine Naber, Assistant Professor of the Program on American Culture and Department of Women’s Studies at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Evelyn Alsultany, Research Investigator on Arab racism for the Program on American Culture at the University of Michigan.

Warren David, President and CEO of David Communications, a multi-cultural public relations and marketing firm with specialization in the Arab American market.

The workshop is expected to attract members of the print and broadcast media, business leaders, human resource directors, diversity program managers, advertising, marketing and communications professionals, educators, municipal and government employees, law enforcement personnel, community leaders and those interested in learning more about Arab Americans.

The registration enrollment fee is $95 per person and includes the workshop, continental breakfast, luncheon and workshop materials.An optional bonus session will be offered from 2:15 pm to 3:30pm and will focus on some of the most commonly used Arabic language phrases.

Arab Detroit is dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of accurate information about Arab Americans through the develop-ment of informative print materials, educational and cultural events and multi-media programming.

For more information contact Arab Detroit at 1-877-ARAB-944 (1-877-272-2944), via email, info@arabdetroit.com or on the world- wide web at, www.arabdetroit.com

Sponsored by:ArabDetroitIn partnership with:Center for Arab American Studies--University of Michigan-DearbornDetroit EdisonSprint-Nextel
Davenport UniversityComerica BankFairlane Club

With support from: ADC, The Democratic Party, ACCESS, American Arab Chamber of CommerceAWARESmooth Jazz-98.7FM
(30)