The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee: A Conversation on Community, Challenges and Change

On March 3, 2025, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) held a meeting covering a wide range of issues. From the state of the Arab community to challenging future scenarios and the journey towards a better position, the meeting was a whirlpool of insightful discussions. Here’s a deep dive into the key takeaways from the meeting.

ADC: A Brief Overview

ADC is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage. Founded by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk in 1980, ADC has grown to become the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S. The current National Executive Director is Abed Ayoub.

Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

During the meeting, Ayoub talked about the need for the Arab community to do a “inventory check”. There was a collective agreement that there were areas where the community was failing, particularly on college campuses, in politics, and in social media. The consensus was that current structures and communication methods were inefficient and that there was a lack of strategic cohesion.

“Our community has to do an inventory check – what went right, what went wrong.” – Abed Ayoub

However, the conversation also touched upon the community’s strengths. The truth and justice that the community holds were seen as powerful tools. Ayoub pointed out that the community had been successful in leveraging online space to share their narrative, despite attempts to silence them.

Political Strategies and the Power of Social Media

A central part of the conversation was the impact of politics on the community. Ayoub highlighted how the current political climate, particularly under the Trump administration, was affecting the rights of all Americans, not just those of Arab descent. This led to a discussion about political alignments and the need for the community to avoid being categorized as simply “left” or “right”. Instead, the focus should be on working with people across the political spectrum.

“We are not going to be “left” or “right” – more horseshoe shape.” – Abed Ayoub

One of the main points in this part of the discussion was the importance of focusing more on local and state agendas, in light of the upcoming midterm elections. It was pointed out that a spin-off group of AIPAC was planning to spend $60m on local and state agendas, indicating that these areas are crucial battlegrounds.

The ADC’s Persona and Messaging

Image and messaging were also focal points of the discussion. Ayoub likened the ADC’s persona to a blue-collar factory worker from the Detroit area. This persona, he explained, guided their messaging and outreach. The ADC’s Instagram, for instance, is used as a ‘break room schedule board and flyers space’, targeting this demographic.

“If this org (ADC) was a person, what kind of person/avatar would they be?” – Blue Collar Factory working from metro Detroit area.” – Abed Ayoub

There was also a call for professionalism in executing their work. Ayoub stressed the need to bring in professionals and use their skills wisely to ensure that the community’s energy and enthusiasm were not lost.

The Way Forward

Despite the challenges, the meeting ended on a hopeful note. Ayoub and others acknowledged that the community was in a better position than it had ever been. They noted that the community was winning in the social media space, even as they faced sophisticated targeting and de-platforming.

“We are in a far better position than we have ever been.” – Laila

The meeting concluded with a call for preparedness as the community moves from a resistance movement to a leadership movement. The focus should be on careful messaging and targeting, using different strategies for different audiences.

Conclusion

The ADC meeting was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the Arab community in the face of various challenges. It highlighted the need for strategic thinking, concerted efforts, and the power of community in driving change. The journey ahead may be fraught with obstacles, but the spirit of the community remains unbroken.

Freedom Advocacy Network

recent posts

about