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The term is often used interchangeably with Arab American (even though it includes non-Arab groups) by such organizations as the Center for Near Eastern Studies in their program of Middle Eastern and Arab American Gender Studies.UCLA. Center for Near Eastern Studies. 2006. November 4, 2006. {Link without Title} US CENSUS RACIAL CLASSIFICATION Americans whose ethnic origins are from one or more of the countries of the Middle East are classified as category in the US census, wanting instead to be their own category. In the USA, common non-governmental, colloquial and social understandings of "White" differ from that country's official government definition by excluding and being proud of their Middle Eastern cultural backgrounds. Middle Eastern Americans have tried to make themselves their own race on the US Census in 1977 but were refused by the US Census Bureau because the US Census Bureau did not know if they should put Jews with European Americans or Middle Eastern Americans.Menon, Sridevi. Duke University. "Where is West Asia in Asian America?Asia and the Politics of Space in Asian America." 2004. April 26, 2007. {Link without Title} The Arab American Institute tried again in 1993 to make Middle Eastern a racial category, but the US Census Bureau did not allow it. CULTURE Middle Eastern Americans have higher levels of education relative to the other American citizens. David link this to a long-standing emphasis placed on education in Islamic societies.David, The Mosaic of Middle Eastern Communities in Metropolitan Detroit, p. 40. This explains why Middle Eastern Americans make a mean household income of $47,000 compared to the $42,000 national average. Further, Middle Eastern Americans have a higher percentage of college graduates with bachelor's degrees (40%) than the national average (24%)American Middle Eastern Christian Association. "Facts about Americans of Middle Eastern Descent." June 20, 2007. {Link without Title} Cultural issues Even with social pressure to hide their Middle Eastern cultural background,Richard A. Chapman, "Arab-American Teenagers Share Their Culture in Video," Chicago Sun-Times, November 28, 1996, pp.22. fearing association with the radical elements of Islam,Suleiman, "Introduction," p. 15 Middle Eastern Americans are encouraged by their community to cling to the good values of Middle Eastern culture while embracing the good values of American culture.David. The Mosaic of Middle Eastern Communities in Metropolitan Detroit, p. 37 The situation of Middle Eastern Americans is further complicated by a discrepancy between them and their counterparts in their native countries - one that is perhaps greater than those that exist among other ethnicities. An overwhelming proportion of Americans of Middle Eastern origin are Christian , despite having ancestry in a predominantly Muslim culture and geographic region. This is especially true of Arab Americans who are 77% Christian Center for Freedom in the Middle East. "Myth vs. Reality." 2004. June 20, 2007. {Link without Title} while much less so of Iranians and other groups. Middle Eastern Americans have kept an interest in politics in the Middle East. Most desire for peace and infrastructural development in the Middle East and an end to conflict, but condemn terroristic means as a way to solve problems.E.R. Shipp, "Anti-Muslim Bigotry is Bad Political Strategy," New York Daily News, November 5, 2000, p.45 DISCRIMINATION Middle Eastern Americans are often considered an invisible , they were the target of a minor amount of Anti-Muslim and Anti-Arab hatred along with South Asian American s. Iranian American s have had to surpass the anti-Iranian sentiment after the United States involvement in the Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979.UC Berkeley. Media Resources Center. Middle Eastern Americans. I Call Myself Persian. 1996. November 4, 2006. {Link without Title} POPULATION Middle Eastern Americans reside in large numbers only in a few locations. The first Middle Eastern Americans in the 1890s came from Syria and found residence in large cities.Zogby "Arab America Today." In 2003, Detroit is the largest center for Middle Eastern Americans, comprising sizeable Iraqi American , Egyptian American , Palestinian American and Lebanese American populations.David, "The Mosaic of Middle Eastern Communities in Metropolitan Detroit" pp. 9-49 Immigration Middle Eastern American immigration came in two waves. One was during the last quarter of the 19th century. This group was largely uneducated Christian Arab males. The second wave of immigration came after World War II to escape conflict in the Middle East. This group was composed of professional men and women who have been predominantly Muslim. This second wave continues to the present. Lee, Wanda. Routledge Mental Health. "Middle Eastern Americans in Counseling." 2007. June 20, 2007. {Link without Title} SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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