essay

The Arab-American community of Springfield, Massachusetts

arab americans, studies in assimilation • (1) • Published In 1969 • Pages: 50-66

By: Aruri, Naseer Hasan.

Abstract

This is an account of the Arab-American community of Springfield, Massachusetts. Aruri writes about the early occupations, the wholesalers who acted as a political and cultural brokers, sporadic violence between Arab Christians and Muslims, and their relationship with other ethnic groups. He also focuses on Monsignor Saab, a community leader who gained a national reputation for his long service to his church and local community. Aruri, along with Hagopian (no. 25) criticizes the Syrian-Lebanese- American Federation for its failure to develop a strong national organization on par with the NAACP, or the American Jewish Committee. The author also examines the occupational structure, educational attainmants, incomes, and political and social behavior of present residents. Smaller familes and social mobility are signs of successful acculturation, but the persistance of Syrian-Lebanese clubs and churches are a factor in what the author calls their 'slow assimilation.'

HRAF PubDate

1998

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Unknown

Analyst

Ian Skoggard; 1998

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1890-1968

Coverage Place

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States

Notes

Naseer H. Aruri

Includes bibliographical references

LCSH

Arab Americans