Donna Shalala highlighted in Arab American Museum
Arab American Museum reveals much
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
By Roger Green
Booth Arts Writer
DEARBORN -- You understand at once that it's special. The tile-lined courtyard ascends three levels and is crowned by an octagonal dome. At the base is an eight-sided fountain.
"1,001 Nights" springs to mind, and that's apt. The domed hall is the entry to Dearborn's new Arab American National Museum, the first in the nation devoted exclusively to Arab American history and culture.
The museum's appearance is ripely timed, claims a flier, which notes that an estimated 4.2 million Arab Americans live in the United States -- 490,000 in Michigan alone. But beyond the numbers, the negative, post 9/11 impression many Americans have of the Arab world is an issue of prime concern. "(W)e continue our commitment to dispel misconceptions about Arab Americans ," the flier reads.
Certainly, permanent exhibits paint a flattering, sympathetic picture of Arab Americans, often with surprising, little-known facts. Displays on the first level, ringing the courtyard, treat the history of Arab contributions to world civilization. Astronomy, mathematics, medicine, religion, art, architecture and music are areas addressed.
Visitors may be surprised to remember that "Arabic" numbers, including the cipher zero, replaced unwieldy Roman numerals. Moreover, of the seven wonders of the ancient world, three appeared in Arab lands: the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Lighthouse at Alexandria.
Upstairs, exhibits treat personalities and events of the present day and recent past. Appropriately, the exhibitry, by Jack Rouse Associates, becomes more contemporary -- read, glitzier. In place of the first-level's staid display cases, multi-media presentations, films, videos and interactive devices appear, together with convincing, life-size recreations of pertinent locales. Three themed galleries on the second level treat "Coming to America," "Living in America" and "Making an Impact."
In these areas too, surprises abound. Who knew, for example, that the first Arab-speaking emigrant, Al-Zamouri, arrived in North America in 1524? Who suspected that the Titanic's passenger list included 154 Arab emigrants, and that 29 of the group, including Anna Yousef from the Lebanese village of Tibnin, survived?
Equally eye-opening is the story of Nagi Daifallan, a native of Yemen whose Spartan, central California bedroom is reproduced at full-scale. Daifallan, a labor leader who fought for better wages and working conditions in California's grape fields, died a martyr to that humane cause. In 1973, at age 24, he was beaten to death by a deputy sheriff.
Other, better-known Arab Americans also are highlighted. But while their names will be familiar, their Arab ancestry may not. Among the personalities spotlighted are Michigan's Spencer Abraham, U.S. senator and secretary of energy under George W. Bush; Helen Thomas, doyenne of White House press correspondents; John Zogby, president and CEO of the public opinion and polling company; and Donna Shalala, secretary of health and human services under President Bill Clinton.
Also recognized are NPR commentator Diane Rehm, entertainers Paul Anka and Danny Thomas and Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal.
Exhibits at the Arab American National Museum tell many rich, till now little-understood tales. But permanent and planned temporary exhibits are only part of the package. The facility's 38,500 square feet also include an auditorium, classrooms, a library resource center and a museum store.
The new museum is an overdue addition to Michigan's cultural scene and -- who knows? -- perhaps an equally overdue antidote to blind bias.
%%bodyend%%IF YOU GO: The Arab American National Museum is at 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (to 8 p.m. Thursday) and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (313) 582-2266 or visit www.theaanm.org.
IF YOU GO: The Arab American National Museum is at 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (to 8 p.m. Thursday) and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (313) 582-2266 or visit www.theaanm.org.
© 2005 Booth Newspapers. Used with permission
