Loading ...
Over 500 Attend Arab America Event “From Ferguson to Chapel Hill: Together We Stand for Justice”
Ambassador Shabazz (lower left) Dr. James E. Lyon (lower right), Dr. Amal David and her President of Arab America, Warren David (top).
The need for unity has become increasingly clear. The U.S.continues to witness vicious, hate-fueled crimes at an increasing rate, crossing the nation from Ferguson to Chapel Hill. Minorities of all backgrounds report acts of discrimination, in many forms, at every corner.
More than 50 years after the Civil Rights movement, racism and prejudice in America has not died, rather it continues to live on and thrive. But this knowledge should not be discouraging as all Americans must face this problem head on and with vigor. Communities across America must stand together firmly against the hatred and the prejudice that plagues our country and effectively replace it with understanding, respect, equality, and justice for all.
It is in this spirit that DC-area residents convened on Thursday evening, February 26th at the University of the District of Columbia to commemorate Black History Month in an event partnered with Arab America, a national online media platform led by activists Warren and Amal David. The event played host to a lively set of speeches and performances, led by keynote speaker Ambassador Shabazz, eldest daughter of renowned civil rights leader, Malcom X and activist Dr. Betty Shabazz.
Warren David, the president of Arab America and Dr. James E. Lyons, interim President of the University of DC, offered a wide welcome to an audience that featured close to 500 activists and community leaders along with university students and members of the DC community. Following, DC vocalist Robert Person sang a contemporary rendition of a gossel classic entitled, “Great is They Faithfulness,” arranged by Allan Johnson.
In his opening remarks, David noted that history was made in Washington, DC as the Arab American and African American communities commemorated their shared values, history, and culture. David went on to say, “Tonight we stand together for justice, justice for the struggle of African Americans who have suffered discrimination and prejudice, and justice for Arab Americans who have been consistently denigrated because of their ethnicity and or religion.”
Dr. Lyons spoke about the struggles the Black community experienced in America during the Civil Rights movement and its emphasis on nonviolence. Additionally, he touched upon the universality of human rights, and the continued need to strive for equal rights for all minorities in America.
Ambassador Shabazz’s keynote, closing speech was the most moving of the evening. Themes such as language, politics, and revolution allowed Shabazz to frame her late father’s passion for social justice and political equality as a continuous struggle that not only the black community still faces in locations like Ferguson, Missouri, but how it relates to Palestinians and Arab Americans as well. She also elaborated on the similarities the Muslim faith shares with other religions regarding tolerance and understanding. Shabazz concluded with a rousing call to action, in light of the 50th anniversary of her father’s assassination; she reminded the audience to remember his spirit and how it lives on today.
Also featured at the event was Lydia Lyon, a young Boston-based vocalist who sings classic Arabic music. Lyon’s promise as a powerful vocalist was prominent when she sang a moving song in Arabic “Al Helm al Araby” (the Arab Dream) to a standing ovation—a powerful symbol of unity and the ability of music to cross cultural boundaries.
Following the “Ferguson to Chapel Hill” event, the next day on Friday evening, the critically acclaimed film “Al Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine” was shown by renowned filmmaker Connie Field. She spoke after the film showing to an audience of close to 100. Field, an Academy Award-nominated director for her 1994 documentary “Freedom on My Mind” spoke about her making of the film and the challenges she encountered in following an African-American choir on their journey in the occupied Palestinian Territories.
Both events symbolized a much needed spirit of coalition building between the African American and Arab American communities.
Shereef Abdel-Gawad
Arab America