Self-pride wins elections, say Arab-American elected officials

February 2, 2021   

(Arab News) A panel of Arab-American elected officials on Monday said discrimination before and after the 9/11 attacks pushed them to want to change American society from the inside, winning public office by accepting who they are and building community coalitions.

They were speaking at a summit organized by the Arab America Foundation and attended by Arab News.

Panelists included Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib; Yonkers, New York, City Council President Mike Khader; Paterson, New Jersey, Mayor Andre Sayegh; Michigan State Legislator Abraham Aiyash; Virginia State Representative Sam Rasoul and Michigan state appointee Fayrouz Saad.

Tlaib, the eldest of 14 children of immigrant Palestinian parents, said a key to her rise in Michigan politics was to not hide who she really is.

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