《Wayne Baker, University of Michigan》.pdfVIP

1 PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM THE DETROIT ARAB AMERICAN STUDY Wayne Baker, University of Michigan Sally Howell, University of Michigan Amaney Jamal, Princeton University Ann Chih Lin, University of Michigan Andrew Shryock, University of Michigan Ron Stockton, University of Michigan-Dearborn Mark Tessler, University of Michigan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The events of 9/11 were traumatic for Americans, especially those of Middle Eastern descent. The “war on terror” exposed Arab and Muslim Americans to intense public scrutiny and government surveillance. Yet accurate information about these populations is still in short supply. The Detroit Arab American Study (DAAS), a comprehensive survey of the areas Arab and Chaldean communities, provides reliable information about one of the oldest, largest, and most visible Arab populations in North America.1 This study explores their experiences in the wake of 9/11, their overall well-being, and their sense of identity and belonging. The Detroit area Arab and Chaldean population is diverse and complex. Our study finds: • Arabs and Chaldeans trace their ancestry to four sending areas: Lebanon/Syria (37 percent), Iraq (35 percent), Palestine/Jordan (12 percent), and Yemen (9 percent). Seventy-five percent were born outside the U.S. • They are deeply religious, 58 percent Christian and 42 percent Muslim. Most Christian Arabs and Chaldeans are dispersed throughout Detroit’s suburbs, while two-thirds of Muslims live in the Dearborn area. • Eighty percent say they speak English well or very well. Most are also bilingual and receive their news and informati