Detroit’s Arab American and Chaldean communities want minority status from
the federal government and an end to “discrimination and regulatory red
tape” they claim is stifling business since 9-11. This was the message put
to a senior Bush administration official, Ronald Langston, at the first
Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) business summit held at the
council’s head office on 111 West Seven Mile road.
Langston, who heads the Minority Business Development Agency at the U.S.
Dept of Commerce, stopped at the summit as part of several planned trips
to educate minority businesses about MBDA’s work.
“The Arab American and Chaldean communities have been productive
contributors to our society. Yet still they have the same barriers
[language and culture] commonplace to the other minority groups that have
been granted such status,” said Dr. Haifa Fakhouri, ACC president.
“This community has so much potential, and in order to accelerate their
progress, they must be given the same opportunities afforded to other
minorities.”
Haifa and her group believe people of Middle Eastern descent have been
subjected to all forms of discrimination that affect their ability to do
business as usual in Detroit.
“Our community has been unfairly targeted and many of their rights and
privileges have affected standard business practices,” Haifa said. “It is
important to identify the barriers this community is facing and to
implement remedies that will ensure continued progress in business
development.”
Some Detroit Arab business owners complain that people of Arab descent are
excluded in the U.S. government’s new application form for minority
status.
They said the application includes “African American” and “Asian/Pacific”
categories but not one for “Arab American.”
People attending the summit said the new definition of who is eligible for
minority status since 9-11 is one factor impeding growth of their
businesses.
“This offers us a loop hole. I want to be recognized as an authentic
minority and come with an established status,” said Khal Hanna, a Detroit
businessman.
“If we are given the opportunity, we can become more competitive.”
Hanna added, “In this new qualification, it is much easier for us to prove
hardship since 9-11.” He said the discrimination is evident everywhere,
including the media.
“9-11 does have an effect on who we are and how we are treated,” Hanna
said.
Responding to their queries, Langston said the reason no mention was made
of Arab Americans in the application form for minority status was because
during the census, most of them registered as whites. As a result, he
said, his office was going with the U.S. Census Bureau’s reports.
Notwithstanding, Langston said [Arab Americans] fall under the
Asian/Pacific category.
“You have to tell us who you are, because most of you who filled the
Census Bureau form put ‘white,’” Langston said. “There is no bar to you as
Arab Americans. If you want to apply, you can. We want to work with you.
If we need to go the Census department to review this we would.”
According to Langston, minority status is granted to those that are
economically and socially disadvantaged.
“Our mission is to help open doors for ethnic and minority businesses that
have the capacity to operate in the supply chain of major U.S.
corporations,” Langston said.
State Sen. Nancy Cassis gave a thumbs-up to the ACC for being “ambitious,
hardworking and productive.”
“We only have to look a few miles from here … to Dearborn, a flourishing
oasis that has rejuvenated an entire area with unique determination and
entrepreneurial know how,” Cassis said.
Other speakers included Tarik Dauod, owner of the Al Long Ford dealership;
Osman Minkara, managing principal for Capital Investment Group; Nabby
Yono, business entrepreneur; and Ahmad Ezzeddine, assistant dean of Wayne
State University’s school of business. Brenda L. Schneider, first vice
president and director of business and development services at Comerica
Bank, facilitated the summit.
All speakers agreed in their various presentations that the government
needs to recognize their invaluable contribution to the overall economy by
removing the obstacles they encounter in the course of their business
operations.
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