The Most Influential Arab Americans
America has always represented a veritable “melting pot” of different cultures. This is equally true when discussing the contributions made by Arab-Americans over the years. Let us examine four famous personalities as well as the indelible impressions that each has made.
Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul is a well-known pop singer who made her debut during the late 1980s. Known for breakthrough hits such as Straight Up and Opposites Attract, Abdul has influenced generations thanks to her unique musical style and lightning-fast dance moves. Since then, Abdul has moved on to other ventures; perhaps the most well-known being the host of the series American Idol. Abdul continues to enjoy the limelight.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States of America, and we can see it in the themed online slots available dedicated to the game. That’s why an Arab basketball player can have a big influence in the day-to-day lives of Americans. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably one of the most formidable basketball players to ever have graced the courts of the NBA. Primarily playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar enjoyed a long career for their time, as he played 20 seasons in the league before eventually retiring in 1989. As a player, he is widely known for his famous skyhook shot, and is one of the members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
However, many feel that his contributions outside of basketball are just as important. Abdul-Jabbar is now famous for his activism as well as for a number of published books. The former Laker continues to exert his influence into the present day by speaking at numerous universities in order to address younger generations.
Linda Sarsour
Linda Sarsour is a well-known progressive activist and she also was the previous director of the Arab-American Association of New York. Her main goal is to promote equal rights for all Americans; regardless of race, skin colour or religion. She has advocated for American Indians, illegal immigrants, victims of police brutality, and Muslims. As Sarsour is only 44 years old, there is little doubt that she will continue to have a positive impact around the country.
James Zogby
James Zogby is primarily known for his work founding the Arab American Institute (AAI). He has also devoted the majority of his life towards the promotion of universal human rights. Zogby likewise holds a PhD in comparative religions, and this has given him a unique perspective on how cultures can better understand one another. He served as a senior political adviser under Bernie Sanders and Zogby has been actively involved in Middle Eastern relations. When not supervising the Arab American Institute, he enjoys attending rallies and giving speeches intended to embrace the notion of religious equality.
Note that these are only four examples of how Arab-Americans have added to the cultural diversity that has come to at least partially define the United States. As newer generations emerge, we can expect even more influential personalities to emerge. Whether referring to politics, music or activism, Arab-Americans have become an integral part of society as we know it.
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