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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 02:01 17/11/2007 Arab-Americans organize to challenge Hollywood stereotypes By The Associated Press tags: stereotypes, Hollywood  A leading Arab-American activist said Friday he plans to open an office in Hollywood to challenge stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. entertainment industry. "The equation on American television and film is, Arab equals terrorist," said Jack Shaheen, who was in New York on Friday for a meeting of the Network of Arab-American Professionals. "The group is comprised of about 5,000 young professionals who are all around us," said Dena Zakaria, a Philadelphia lawyer whose parents come from Syria. Advertisement "They're your doctors, your lawyers, your engineers, she said. They're part of the fabric of American society, they're integral to the nation's landscape. We're here to stay." Zakaria said that despite efforts by the government and others to combat stereotypes, the perception of Arabs by American citizens is getting worse and worse. "The negative stereotypes of the Arab 'bad guy' without a counter-image have prompted this groundswell of activism by members of the community," she said. This year's conference will include presentations by Shaheen on his book, Reel Bad Arabs, which examines how films present Arab stereotypes; the Palestinian ambassador to the United States, Afif Safieh; and the Egyptian novelist and feminist, Nawal El Saadawi. Shaheen, a 72-year-old Lebanese American, said he plans to set up an office in Hollywood to lobby filmmakers and television producers, and will recruit staff members this weekend at the conference. He says he has compiled about 50 examples of films and TV programs that blend the Arab terrorist image with images of ordinary Arabs and Muslims in America. "I want these young Arab-American professionals to help squash this damaging virus of hate," he says. "The only way that can happen is if they can take steps to meet with producers, writers, directors and not let these manufactured prejudices continue." The organization was founded in January 2001, nine months before Sept. 11. Yasmin Hamidi, a network spokeswoman, said the terror attacks fueled the growth of the organization. "Arabs and Muslims in America felt an urgent need to organize because the community was under increased scrutiny," Hamidi said. Related articles: U.S. officials: Israeli border authorities harass Arab-Americans Ex-presidents Bush, Clinton to head Israel's 60th celebrations in U.S. Bookmark to del.icio.us Walled out UN: West Bank fence severs Palestinan farmers from fields. Battle royal E-mail snub to Israel by Prince Charles' aides sparks furor.   1.   It`s time ... 03:13  |  David James Vickery 17/11/07   2.   Arabs - Terrorists? Ooh, I wonder why? 04:01  |  Dakkar 17/11/07   3.   Work inside Arab community to change their terrorism support 04:06  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/11/07   4.   God Bless and More Power to Them!!!! 04:21  |  Mary J. 17/11/07   5.   Vickery, your alternative media doesn`t report on Arab terrorism? 04:54  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/11/07   6.   Ignoring Arabs/Muslims=90% of terrorists is the real stereotype 05:23  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/11/07   7.   Better off Protesting against Arab terrorists 06:03  |  Steve 17/11/07   8.   Hollywood has been fair 06:43  |  Ron 17/11/07   9.   Hollywood & Vine 06:44  |  Ron 17/11/07   10.   Jewish-Americans organize to challenge Jewish stereotypes 07:24  |  Arthur 17/11/07   11.   Good for them 07:48  |  Nephtaly 17/11/07   12.   Shaheen is surprised we are infected with a virus of hate 08:01  |  infidel 17/11/07   13.   About time 08:13  |  Eli 17/11/07   14.   Infidel`s 08:21  |  Eli 17/11/07   15.   Surprised... 08:35  |  Mei 17/11/07   16.   Well Here`s What They Can Do 09:23  |  Yosemite 17/11/07   17.   Mei you mean that without us posters here, this man has no proof 09:58  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/11/07   18.   Hollywood is a propaganda machine among other things 10:53  |  Natallie Durson 17/11/07   19.   Eli 11:14  |  infidel 17/11/07   20.   Mei do you think Shaheen will make point by forcing Hollywood 11:47  |  infidel 17/11/07   21.   a post from the bad, blood thirsty arab 11:50  |  amir 17/11/07   22.   Arab-American hate addicts 11:56  |  Michael Jacobs 17/11/07   23.   Moslems aren`t the terrorists, it`s the.. oops I suppose it IS. 13:07  |  ....... 17/11/07   24.   Find some Christian terrorists, how about UK terrorists? 13:08  |  ....... 17/11/07   25.   who controls the terrorists? 13:09  |  ..... 17/11/07   26.   Definitely not the Moslems who are terrorists. I wonder who then? 13:09  |  ........ 17/11/07   27.   Infidel......Ignorance 22:23  |  Mei 17/11/07   28.   genuine tosefta 5 01:28  |  realism 18/11/07   29.   Mei 07:02  |  infidel 18/11/07   30.   realism - lessons in racism 09:44  |  Michael Jacobs 18/11/07

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