essay
The institutional development of the Arab-American community of Boston: a sketch
arab americans, studies in assimilation • (1) • Published In 1969 • Pages: 67-83
By: Hagopian, Elaine Catherine.
Abstract
This is a history of Boston's Syrian-Lebanese institutions and the changing identity and political involvement of Arab-Americans as a result of the Middle East conflict. Hagopian discusses the early Syrian-Lebanese settlement in Boston, called 'Little Syria' and the first Syrian-Lebanese churches. In the middle period, 1930-1960, a prosperous Syrian-Lebanese community moved out of their ghetto and formed various clubs and community trusts. A national federation of organizations was formed in 1932. Although the Federation took a position with regard to the Palestine question, most of its energy was directed towards local issues and honoring its more illustrious members. Hagopian criticizes it for understanding the Mideast crisis in only parochial terms and not in the broader geopolitical context. The Federation fell apart in the 1960s and was replaced by the American Arabic Association which did champion and promote a pan-Arabic political agenda and identity.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- 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
- Boston, Mass., United States
- Notes
- Elaine C. Hagopian
- Includes bibliographical references
- LCSH
- Arab Americans