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Viewpoint: Arab-Baiting is Back
WASHINGTON, DC -- It is worrisome to note that "Arab-baiting," once favored as a weapon by some politicians in the 1980's and a regular feature in election campaigns, appears to be making a comeback, albeit in a slightly different form.
Current manifestations of "Arab-baiting" can be distinguished from the way that this crude ploy was used two decades ago. Back then, it was both a weapon used to attack an opponent and as a way to disenfranchise Arab Americans. Candidates were hounded for having accepted contributions from Arab Americans, having Arab Americans on staff, or, in a few instances, having connections with "Arab" banks or businesses.
One effect of this assault was that candidates kept their distance from and gave short-shrift to Middle East issues, not wanting to appear "pro-Arab." The more serious victims, of course, were Arab American communities who, as a result, found themselves being marginalized in US politics.
The community fought back. By registering to vote, organizing themselves politically, and working with fair minded political leaders, Arab Americans made inroads into the political mainstream.
The most recent incarnation of Arab-baiting is more issue focused as politicians in both parties use Arab scapegoating as a substitute for substantive debate on real issues of concern.
The troubling bipartisan hysteria created over Dubai Ports World's bid to run six US ports is a case in point. Instead of debating the real problems of port security (i.e. the lack of funding and personnel needed to ensure security at US ports) politicians instead exploited anti-Arab sentiments to defeat the deal.
In the end, serious damage was done to the image of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in the US and to the US-Arab relationship - but because the issues of port security were never seriously raised in the debate, US ports remained as insecure as before. Only after the deal was scuttled, did Congress begin a discussion of the steps to be taken to improve the ability of US Customs and Coast Guard to do what needed to be done.
Much the same is occurring in the debate over the high cost of US energy. As oil prices have risen, so, too, has the penchant of many political groups and leaders to resort to Arab-baiting.
More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=59a757ca72a46888ba3080caaa0fce0b
One effect of this assault was that candidates kept their distance from and gave short-shrift to Middle East issues, not wanting to appear "pro-Arab." The more serious victims, of course, were Arab American communities who, as a result, found themselves being marginalized in US politics.
The community fought back. By registering to vote, organizing themselves politically, and working with fair minded political leaders, Arab Americans made inroads into the political mainstream.
The most recent incarnation of Arab-baiting is more issue focused as politicians in both parties use Arab scapegoating as a substitute for substantive debate on real issues of concern.
The troubling bipartisan hysteria created over Dubai Ports World's bid to run six US ports is a case in point. Instead of debating the real problems of port security (i.e. the lack of funding and personnel needed to ensure security at US ports) politicians instead exploited anti-Arab sentiments to defeat the deal.
In the end, serious damage was done to the image of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in the US and to the US-Arab relationship - but because the issues of port security were never seriously raised in the debate, US ports remained as insecure as before. Only after the deal was scuttled, did Congress begin a discussion of the steps to be taken to improve the ability of US Customs and Coast Guard to do what needed to be done.
Much the same is occurring in the debate over the high cost of US energy. As oil prices have risen, so, too, has the penchant of many political groups and leaders to resort to Arab-baiting.
More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=59a757ca72a46888ba3080caaa0fce0b
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