Courses were available about Arabs in Middle Eastern studies or about Muslims in religious studies departments, but not about the histories and experiences of Muslims in the US or the experiences of Arab Americans vis- à- vis US racial politics. I took Latinx studies courses, but I yearned for a course on Muslims in the US or Arab Americans to gain perspective on my histories and experiences. When I went to college, I was eager to understand my family’s experiences of marginalization from a social and political lens. We were constantly asked where we were from and the answer to the question often led to others about terrorism and cocaine. Stereotypes about our identities were part of everyday life. I was born and raised in New York City to a Cuban Catholic mother, an Iraqi Muslim father, and a Colombian Catholic stepmother in the 1970s and 1980s. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today? Hi Evelyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Alsultany.
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