2014 ADC Intern Perspectives - American-Arab Anti

tamar ghabin • hussein bazzi • Lauren hassouneh• jane sullivan • Dany hamami • grace ablan
american-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee • 2014 • Adc.org
2014 Intern Perspectives
Table of Contents
Summer Interns
Page 2
Letter From samer
Page 3
Jack Shaheen Award Winners
Anthony Shadid Summer Interns
Organizing
tamar ghabin
Government Affairs
jane sullivan
Northeastern University
International Affairs & Arabic
Class of 2015
New York University
Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies
Class of 2014
President’s Office
Communications
Page 3
ADC National Intern Blurbs
Page 4-10
convention Pictures
Page 6
ADC Michigan intern Blurbs
Page 11-13
intern Field Trips
Page 14-15
Become an Intern
Page 16
lauren hassouneh
Macalester College
Political Science & Classics
Class of 2016
Legal
special events
hussein bazzi
dany hamami
American University
Washington College of Law
Class of 2016
ADC Research Institute
Intern Perspectives © 2014
1990 M Street, NW Ste 610
Washington, DC 20036
P: (202) 244-2990
F: (202) 333-3980
www.adc.org
University of Florida
Sociology
Class of 2016
ADC Michigan Interns
Amany muflihy
Samer Khalaf, President
Dr. Safa Rifka, Chair
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC),
which is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan, is the largest grassroots Arab American
civil rights and civil liberties organization in the United States.
It was founded in 1980 by
former Senator James Abourezk.
ADC has a national network of
chapters and members in all 50
states.
grace ablan
Lenior Rhyne University
Environmental Science & PolicyClass of 2015
Wayne State University
Criminal Justice
Class of 2013
Mallak Anani
University of Michigan
Middle Eastern Studies
& English
Class of 2015
Tahany alsabahi
University of Michigan
International Studies
Class of 2017
elysa bryen
University of Chicago
Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations
Class of 2017
Thank you to the Volunteers that helped this Summer!
Samia El-Solh
Rula Malki
George Washington University
Master’s in Political Management
Class of 2015
University of Jordan
Bachelor in English Literature
Want to intern with adc?
See page 16 & Visit ADC.org
2
2014 Intern Perspectives
Anthony Shadid
“I was an ADC intern many years ago and it’s an
experience I doubt I will ever forget. I learned a
lesson that has guided me and my journalism
since then, and it’s that being right is a relative term, and most importantly that no voice
should be silenced.”
- Anthony Shadid
A message from ADC President
Since 1981, ADC has hosted hundreds of promising students through the Anthony Shadid Internship Program who have
gone on to excel in their chosen career paths. I myself started out as an ADC intern and traced my path back to ADC in my
current role as ADC National President.
Each intern plays an important role in shaping ADC and carrying out its mission. From organizing to communications, to
legal and policy, to assisting the president’s office, our interns experience a first-hand look at hard-hitting civil rights issues
that Arab Americans are faced with every day. We are at a time where the crises in the Middle East are bringing backlash
to our community in the United States, and we’re seeing an increase of discrimination and civil rights attacks against Arab
Americans.
This summer, six hard-working interns from universities around the country joined us in fighting these battles and have done
an extraordinary job in each of their respective departments. In addition to their work in the office, these interns have gone
above and beyond by taking their interests out into the world and continuing ADC’s push for equality in their home communities.
To Tamar, Dany, Lauren, Jane, Hussein, and Grace, I would like to extend my appreciation to each of you for all the work you
have done, commend you on your knowledge of foreign affairs, and, of course, the talent you’ve portrayed in advocating for
equality in our community. As it has done for me, this internship will influence you throughout your careers. I wish you all
the best, and look forward to hearing about all your endeavors in the years to come. I know you will make us proud.
Samer Khalaf
ADC President
JackShaheen
Mass Communications Scholarships
Joseph Khalil is a reporter at WLNS
TV-6, the CBS news station in Lansing,
Michigan. A 2012 graduate of Michigan
State with a Journalism and International
Relations background, Joe is leaving the
television news business for 10 months to
complete a Master’s Degree in Journalism
from Columbia University in New York
City. With an advanced degree, Joe hopes
to one day work as a network journalist,
covering stories of nstional and international importance.
two young arab american students were
awarded for demonstrating excellence
in the field of mass communications
joseph khalil • nadine sebai
3
Nadine Sebai is an accountant and
analyst from Miami, Florida. Beginning
Fall of 2014, Nadine will be attending
the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of
Journalism program and will specialize in in-depth stories on the environment. This summer, she is working as
a Production Assistent for the Investigative Reporting Program in Berkeley,
California.
2014 Intern Perspectives
Tamar Ghabin
Organizing
At the heart of ADC’s work is an understanding that discrimination against
Arabs in not unique. It is part of a larger xenophobic, racist and fear-mongering
culture that unfortunately plagues many people in this country. That is why
ADC is first and foremost a civil rights organization. This was made very clear
to me the day that most of the staff went to the Congressional hearing on the
Voting Rights Act Amendment. There was an understanding that the importance of this bill was not only relevant in Georgia or North Carolina, where voting suppression is the highest, but it is relevant to all those fighting for minority
and civil rights. The hearing was so crowded that even the Overflow room was
overflowing. We sat among a host of organizations all equally outraged that
part of such an important law had been overturned. We all knew that this was
setback was for everyone. And we all were fighting it.
And as Israel ramps up its massacre in Gaza, it is comforting to know that I am
interning at an organization that will spend so much of its time and energy
to organize for the Palestinian cause. ADC is the kind of place that, despite
working on many other things, it will devote its staff and resources, and even
encourage its employees to leave work early to attend a protest against Israeli
aggression.
Favorite ADC
MOment:
Visiting the U.S. Institute
of peace
Fighting for civil and human rights is an important part of ADC’s work, but it
is not all that we do. Hosting cultural and intellectual forums is a very vital part of engaging ADC’s members in its work. That is
why the ADC National Convention is so important. Preparing and organizing for the convention was a massive task that we were
immediately involved in as our internships began. Many of us were given responsibilities that interns usually do not get, and that
was a learning experience in itself. Seeing all of the behind-the-scenes work made all of us gain a better appreciation for what
goes into such a massive event.
The interns also had the opportunity to go on some informative excursions. We were able to attend a few talks, one at the Wilson
Center regarding the UN Tribunal on Lebanon, and later, a talk at Johns Hopkins regarding “counter-terrorism.” We also had the
opportunity to meet with the ambassadors from the Arab League and Lebanon. These unique experiences allowed us to grow
professionally and intellectually, and in turn, created a holistic internship experience.
with tamar
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University: Northeastern University
Major: International Affairs & Arabic
Life Goal: “To master the debkeh.”
Favorite food: Gushers
If she could live anywhere it would be: Palestine
Favorite place in DC: Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum
4
2014 Intern Perspectives
Hussein Bazzi
Legal
Working as a legal intern for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
(ADC) has been an extremely satisfying and fulfilling experience due to my background as an Arab- and Muslim-American. Specifically, my hometown, Dearborn,
Michigan, represents ‘the American Dream;’ namely, Dearborn is a thriving community whereupon an influx of Iraqi, Palestinian, Yemeni and Lebanese refugees
have given rise to a wave of first-generation Americans that have become successful teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Unfortunately, many Americans link the citizens
of Dearborn with those responsible for the 9-11 attacks on our nation. A hostile
political climate has made our legal system vulnerable to fear and anti-Islamic
sentiment that compromises our individual freedoms. Over a decade has passed
since the Patriot Act, which came in direct response to the 9/11 attacks, and still,
the Civil Rights of Arab-Americans are being threatened. For example, the current
surveillance practices of the NSA, NYPD stop-and-frisk policies, persistent hatecrimes, airline discrimination, and other infringements are still prevalent around the
country. At times, my hometown of Dearborn appears outside the jurisdiction of
the Constitution and the freedoms that made our rich immigrant tradition possible
as our community members are frequently subjected to phone and internet taps
and home searches – many of which have been publicized locally, and sometimes
nationally.
Under the magnifying lens of the government, I feel as if the phrase “innocent
until proven guilty” no longer applies to me. Rather than allowing this alienation to
discourage me from participating in the American legal sphere, I see an incentive
to participate in a field that is not perfect, but always changing and subject to the
context in which it exists. My individual and communal relationship with injustice,
coupled with a legal education, will legitimize the unique ideas and passionate
insight I have for the progress of law and society. Adversity never held back past
generations of Americans, and I relish the opportunity to add my own unique, Arab
and Muslim-American perspective of struggle and sacrifice to the American legacy.
There was no better route to gaining the acceptance of my countrymen who may
have previously been threatened by my faith or skeptical of my patriotism than by
defending the same inalienable freedoms that they are so scared to lose as a legal
intern at ADC.
During my time as a legal intern at ADC, I had the privilege of working on cases,
relating to topics such as airline profiling, employment and educational discrimination, immigration law, hate crimes, public accommodation, housing, and freedom
of speech, under the direct supervision of the ADC attorneys. Also, the internship
included participation at the ADC National Convention, which gave me the opportunity to meet Arab-Americans from across the country with different points
of views on various issues, which in turn gave me a better perspective on all the
pressing issues our community is facing. I was also able to go on various excursions, such as meetings and conferences with civil and human rights groups, and
federal agencies and departments. Perhaps my favorite ‘field trip’ was to the Lebanese Embassy, due to the fact that I am a first-generation Lebanese-American. In
all, my internship at ADC revolved around interests and passions I’ve had my entire
academic career. I feel lucky to have been able to have this opportunity.
5
Hussein
Says...
Hometown: Dearborn, Michigan
University: American University, Washington College of Law
Year: Rising 2L; J.D./M.A. in International
Law and Affairs
Life Goal: “To be a diplomat.”
Favorite food: Shawarma
If he could live anywhere it would be:
Washington, DC
Favorite Place in DC: Buffalo Billiards
Favorite ADC
MOment:
Governmental interagency meetings and
briefs
2014 adc
convention
Memories
6
2014 Intern Perspectives
Lauren Hassouneh
President’s Office
When I first learned that I was offered an internship with the ADC, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to work for an organization that embraces the
caliber of advocating for civil, political and human rights. I was also excited
to reconnect with an Arab-American community that shared the same diverse background I’ve experienced. I grew up in a small, rural town in North
Carolina for half of my life, where it’s a rarity to ever come across ArabAmericans at all. I was a vagabond between Jordan and NC for the other
half of my life. Living between two vastly different places, I had a craving for
community. The prospect of this internship opened a panoramic window to
reconnect with my community, visit the nation’s capital for the first time, and
to network with exuberant young academics and professionals who come
from diverse nations and backgrounds. It was an opportunity I answered
at the first knock, giving me the privilege of meeting some of the best and
brightest from Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Nepal, Colombia, Spain, India,
Pakistan and Morocco.
When I was told I was going to intern with the ADC president’s office, I had
no idea what to expect. It goes without saying that I was thrilled (and very,
very nervous) to earn the opportunity to intern for ADC President. Samer
Khalaf is, of course, the figurehead and champion of a civil and human rights
organization, and I wanted to be a building block in all of ADC’s indelible impacts as a part of the youth that will keep pushing
our cause forward in the years to come. From writing and sending out letters to Ambassadors, participating in conference calls
with Arab-American attorneys and researching distinguished professionals for recruitment, while actively assisting on a day to
day basis, I learned something new each day and crossed paths with remarkable people that I will never forget.
A brilliant professor of mine at Lenoir Rhyne University once told me, “To follow the bandwagon just because the majority says
it’s true, doesn’t make the idea or notion a universal fact.” Those who dissent to the majority should not be vilified for having the
courage to break the boundaries that challenge the norm. His testament upholds the decision I made to intern for the ADC to
begin with, and is the reason why I owe the best part of my D.C. experience to being an active part of the pro-Palestinian protests
this summer. As a Palestinian, my heart immediately goes out to all the victims who’ve suffered and been killed in the crippling
Operation Protective Edge by the Netanyahu regime. At my first protest at the White House, one memorable sign carried by a
demonstrator read, “Silence is a war crime.” The message ricocheted as one of the defining purposes behind our stand to lawmakers who don’t have the courage to expand their insight on the brutal reality in Gaza, in conjunction with the media leaving
many Americans dissuaded from the truth. I was proud to wear the title of a civil rights organization, and to have met with other
fervent activists within the D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland region, who have put their hearts and souls into letting our
voices be heard, hoping to wake up U.S. citizens to human rights violations. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to
be able to share my involvement in supporting civil and human rights with all my friends and family. It was a rewarding experience and a steppingstone in the direction towards the policy work that is the focus of all my academic goals.
Hometown: Newton, North Carolina
University: Lenior Rhyne University
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
lauren:
Favorite food: Chocolate!
If she could live anywhere it would be: Hershey,
PA at the downwind of the chocolate factory
Life Goal: “To push my limits, take more calculated risks, and
gauge every open door that will lead me to becoming the
Favorite Place in DC: United States Botanic Garperson I want to be.”
dens and the Library of Congress
Favorite ADC MOment: advocacy day for gaza
7
2014 Intern Perspectives
Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
University: New York University
Major: Middle Eastern and
Islamic Studies
Life Goal: “To close Guantanamo
Bay”
take
Favoprite food: Lobster
If she could live anywhere it would
be: Laos
Favorite Place in DC: Boqueria Tapas
Bar
Favorite ADC Moment: visiting the lebanese embassy
jane sullivan
Government Relations
I came to ADC as the “Policy Intern” so, naturally, my interests lay in the legislative and political areas including policies that
deal with the difficulties facing Arabs today, both in the United States and in the Middle East. During my brief episode at ADC,
however, my conception of the day-to-day realities of the Arab population changed drastically. I was exposed to the daily
struggles of Arab-Americans and Arabs in the Middle East, and the challenges that they are forced to confront such as discrimination, exclusion, and violence. Rather than dwelling on the prominent, large scale issues that surround the region, my time at
ADC has allowed me to focus on the more intimate issues experienced by individuals on a regular basis.
This internship has pushed me to realize that what makes this organization so remarkable is the unparalleled commitment the
staff has to its mission of combating discrimination on the ground against Arab-Americans and others as well as advocating
for a more balanced U.S. policy toward the Middle East. It is this type of work that I have come to believe can result in more
tangible change and improve the quality of life for Arabs, Arab-Americans, and others.
I wanted to work at ADC because, during my time as an undergraduate studying Middle Eastern Studies, what I found most
compelling about the Middle East was how deeply misunderstood its culture and politics are by the general public. Addressing and remedying this disconnect between the public perception and the reality of the Arab-American experience is what I
now understand to be another important element to ADC’s mission. While contacting lawmakers to advocate for voting rights
or immigration, I have also taken part in fighting for justice on behalf of doctors, who are seeking asylum from Syria, children,
who have wrongly been kicked off a baseball team, or parents, who have lost custody of their children based on discriminatory
biases.
My summer in the ADC office has taught me that each one of these cases is equally important, whether it is at a broad,
government level or a personal, individual level. I have learned that the most important function of the Arab-American AntiDiscrimination Committee is to illuminate these wrongs, to protect the rights of the Arab community, to spread awareness of
the Arab cultural heritage, and to ensure balanced US policy and treatment of Arab-Americans.
8
Dany hamami
2014 Intern Perspectives
Convention and Special Events
Growing up an Arab-American, I’ve always had an interest for politics and
staying updated with the news, particularly news pertaining to the Middle
East. This intuition for politics was exacerbated by experiencing 9/11 as an
Arab youth and witnessing my generations’ perception of Arabs and the
Middle East materialize alongside the “War on Terror”. I grew up in the United
States in an Arab household with Middle Eastern values; intertwined with my
American upbringing outside of the house. I knew that neither I, nor my family and friends were these anger-filled, violent, devilish people that the media
made us out to be. I had been to Syria several times to visit my extended
family and knew the people of the Middle East weren’t either. The media
had magnified a microscopic radical wing of Islamic fundamentalism and fed
Americans biased images and reports on these people making all Arabs out
to be terror-associated in the eye of the average, uninformed citizen. Every
society has their oddballs that do not accurately depict the values of the
whole or the majority, and our media at home in the States focused on these minorities to depict the majority.
I witnessed and experienced my fair share of discrimination and ignorance at a verbal level growing up and it frustrated me,
especially after hearing some of my own friends say some discomforting things. I figured though, at our young age, they may
have been repeating some things they heard at home. I felt inclined to educate and spread awareness of Arab culture to show we
weren’t these aggressive people through talking to my classmates, as well as through my own attitude and behavior, which has
really shaped a part of who I am today.
So naturally, when I heard about the internship opportunity with ADC, I applied. The organization is well known for their mission
to protect American-Arab civil liberties, promote mutual understanding, and preserving Arab American cultural heritage, which
is what I had tried to do throughout my middle school and high school years by setting a proper example of Syrian-Americans.
Working with ADC has certainly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve truly learned a lot; not just in terms
of work experience in helping plan the Annual Convention and meeting with amazing organizations such as the United States
Institute of Peace, but also about being an Arab-American and getting more involved in the community. Working here has exposed me to several issues frequenting Arabs in the States and to new goals we strive to achieve for ourselves – whether that be
communicating with a high school about a racist mascot, as ADC did with Coachella Valley High School in California, or providing
pro bono legal assistance to those who feel they’ve been wronged indiscriminately. Although I’m not part of the legal team, I’ve
grown to really admire the feverish work they do here day in and day out with the legal help they provide to people calling in
every day looking for help who feel they’ve been denied liberties based on their race, religion or gender. I look forward to using
the skills I’ve acquired at ADC in my future professional endeavors.
dany
says
Hometown: Tampa,
Florida
Life Goal: “To stay content.”
Favorite food: Shawarma
University: University of
If he could live anywhere it would be:
Florida
Brazil
Major: Sociology
Favorite place in DC: Southwest Waterfront
Favorite ADC MOment:
visiting the U.S. institute of peace
9
2014 Intern Perspectives
Grace ablan
Communications and Outreach
I doubt that I will ever forget my first day at ADC. I remember
walking through the door and being greeted immediately by a
kind “saba al-khair” from Mouna before being offered enough
baklawa and coffee to feed a village. I remember walking down
the hall of the office and seeing flags of Lebanon, Jordan, and
Palestine among others. I remember meeting my fellow interns
and breaking the ice with a heated discussion about whether
shawarma from Barbar or shish taouk from Kababji is the best
sandwich in Hamra. I remember Nabil inviting us into his office
with a warm “ahla w sahla.” I knew right away that I was going
to feel at home at ADC.
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
with grace
University: Macalester College
Favorite Food:
Namoura (Basbousa)
My passion for promoting the understanding of the ArabAmerican community has been cultivated by my family’s pride
in our heritage. As the granddaughter of Lebanese immigrants
to the United States, I have always felt a strong tie to my family’s
home in the Middle East. I was raised in an Antiochian Orthodox
Christian home and taught from a young age to appreciate my
culture and religion to the fullest. While my connection to the
Lebanese culture is an integral part of my life, I must admit that
I have not always been willing to share my ancestry with others.
Maybe it was the constant string of wars in the Middle East, or
the stereotypes that plague Arab-Americans, that made me uneasy. Being raised in a culture that is, for the most part, invisible
to my friends has always been a challenge. My peers are sometimes unwilling or even unable to look beyond the preconceived
notions of Arabs and Arab-Americans.
I first learned about ADC and their work from my aunt, Lucille
If she could live anywhere in the M. Ablan, who was honoured posthumously by ADC with the
Major: Political Science &
Hala Maksoud Award in 2004. My aunt was a strong, indepenClassical Languages (Arabic) world it would be:
dent, and highly intelligent Arab-American woman who was
Provence
articulate in the promotion of Palestinian equal rights, and I
Life Goal: “To be a positive
always admired her. When I heard that I had been accepted into
role model to young Arab- Favorite Place in DC:
the Anthony Shadid Internship Program at ADC, I was ecstatic
American women in honour Georgetown
to have my chance to represent our community in the nation’s
of those who inspired me.”
capital and make a difference just like my aunt. I knew that this
was going to be an incomparable opportunity to learn more about my heritage, the plight of the Palestinian people, and the
struggles of the Arab-American community post-9/11. What I did not know before arriving at ADC, however, was that this experience would challenge and change me in so many positive ways. During my time at ADC, I got to draft press releases, action
alerts, and updates. I researched issues, assisted in drafting letters to the editor in response to biased press coverage, and even
helped respond to media and public information requests. I helped organize the largest annual gathering of Arab-Americans. I
met ambassadors and other dignitaries. I went to protests and rallies. I discussed topical issues with some of the most important leaders in our community.
To my ADC family, thank you all so much for this incredible experience. It has truly been and unforgettable and empowering
summer.
Favorite ADC Moment:
meeting the lebanese ambassador to the U.S.
10
2014 Intern Perspectives
Amany Muflihy
ADC Michigan
interns
Tahany AlSabahi
13530 Michigan Ave # 329 Dearborn, MI • Phone: 313-581-1201
elysa bryen
mallak anani
Want to become
an ADC Michigan Intern?
visit ADCmichigan.org
11
2014 Intern Perspectives
Mallak Anani
Attending college away from home has been a double-edged
sword. On one end, I’ve had the opportunity to put people
from my community on the map. Students from communities and circumstances vastly different from those people
who share my Arab identity were finally able to humanize the
infamous city of Dearborn, MI. By that same token, while the
city of Dearborn is home to the densest Arab population in
the world outside of the Middle East, my exposure to unfamiliar faces revealed just how misunderstood my community, and
Arabs generally, are. Ironically, it was only when I was away
from home that I developed a genuine understanding of my
people. It was almost entirely accidental. If it weren’t for the
father of a dear friend of mine inviting me to attend ADCMichigan’s annual MLK Scholarship Dinner, I wouldn’t have
been introduced to Fatina Abdrabboh, attorney and Director
of ADC-Michigan. If I hadn’t ran into her in the restroom of
the banquet hall, we probably would have never discussed my
passion and interest in highlighting American-Arab civil rights
issues, both domestically and abroad. If she hadn’t shared my
excitement and enthusiasm, we probably would have never
exchanged contact information. In fact, if it weren’t for any of
that, I wouldn’t have the privilege of writing this very letter.
With an entirely new administration, office, and infrastructure,
ADC-Michigan has guided and shaped my understanding of
American-Arab civil rights issues. My time as an intern within
this office has channeled my passion into something more
concrete and career-oriented. Above all else, I was given the
opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of my community,
as the office is located in Dearborn, MI. What impresses and
inspires me most about the ADC-Michigan team is its mission to connect and relate to all minorities who share similar
struggles to the Arab people. In their Cyber Civil Rights Monitor campaign, ADC-Michigan has extended its services to any
and all victims of online harassment and this speaks volumes
on the organizations values. I have witnessed firsthand what
it means to genuinely serve a people and it has been a refreshing experience to work in such a humble and ambitious
environment. I have been fortunate enough to seek and insert
myself in communities away from home that have allowed me
to recognize the worth of my identity and hometown alike. I
was also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to apply
these experiences in an environment like that provided by
ADC-Michigan and for that I am thankful. I only intend to take
all that I have learned with this organization and carry it with
me in my future endeavors.
number of projects that helped deepened my understanding of
the law, civil rights, and the legal system. Whether it was dealing
directly with a victim of discrimination, contacting realtors about
housing discrimination, or putting together educational packets
for schools, the cumulative experiences I had working at the
ADC-Michigan helped sharpened my writing and editing skills,
helped me mature professionally, and instilled in me a desire to
initiate positive changes in the world around me.
My co-interns and others in the office were extremely pleasant and personable but, when it came to protecting the rights
of Arab-Americans, we took very seriously the responsibilities
charged to us. Although it sounds dramatic, I have found that
many peoples’ lives and livelihoods depend on the ADC-Michigan. The tireless commitment Director Fatina and the ADC staff
demonstrate towards these people allowed me understand how
the fair administration of justice can positively impact the lives of
victims of discrimination. Fatina constantly used new and creative ways to engage the interns in the office so that we felt empowered enough to make substantive contributions that benefit
the community. This experience made me more appreciative
of how small nonprofits like the ADC-Michigan can initiate huge
impacts in the community with minimal resources. I enjoyed
being able to learn about the needs of Arab-Americans and I felt
honored to be part of this process even if I played a distant and
modest role in it all.
As an Arab-American, I believe the ADC-Michigan is an essential
organization that gives Arab-Americans the voice, platform, and
tools they need to assert their rights. I plan to further my education to pursue a law degree and hope to use my skills to promote civil rights of Arab-Americans. I like how this organization
stands to help give people a voice. Being an intern this summer
with ADC has been a great opportunity and learning experience.
amany muflihy
Spending my Summer interning with ADC-Michigan was an
enjoyable and educational experience. Through daily interactions wtih victims of discrimination, assisting with a variety of
tasks, I’ve been able to narrow down my career choice. My
experiences here have allowed me to appreciate civil rights
and focus my future endeavours on promoting the rights of
others. While an intern at the ADC-Michigan, I helped with a
12
2014 Intern Perspectives
icans need to “apply their skills and knowledge to empower
others” has given me invaluable insight into what I would want
my future career in law and community activism to look like in
practice. It is my hope that my future practice will be a mirror
of how Fatina describes ADC-Michigan, “a place where inclusion, dedication, and hard-work come together to give voice to
the voiceless and empower the disempowered.”
Elysa Bryen
tahany alsabahi
Working as an intern for ADC-Michigan has been insightful
in more ways than one. From overcoming my dread of phone
calls, drafting professional emails, and translating Arabic to
English and vice versa, I have grown as a person—or, at least,
my skill set has. In addition to office-related talents, working
directly with ADC-Michigan Director Attorney Fatina Abdrabboh has been empowering and educational. I have been fortunate to work on various cutting-edge civil rights awareness
projects, including the Equal Housing and Cyber Civil Rights
campaigns. These projects and many others created by ADCMichigan address issues that go far beyond the Arab-American
community. During this time I drafted letters, contacted victims
of discrimination, interviewed individuals who were wrongly
accused, participated in meetings with law enforcement, and
engaged with numerous people in the academic, business, and
medical sectors. Working intimately on these projects and with
victims of discrimination was exciting to me for many reasons
not least of which was the fact that I felt that I was making a
measurable impact on the lives of people in my community.
These experiences have made me keenly aware of need to
increase accessibility to civil rights services for Arab-Americans
so that they can be certain their rights are protected. In my
time here, I appreciated how responsive ADC-Michigan was to
the needs of victims of discrimination and my participation in
this made me feel as if I was making a positive contribution to
my community. The encounters I had during my internship at
the ADC-Michigan were both challenging and rewarding and
certainly gave me skills that will unquestionably become useful
in the future.
Of all the memories I have created, I can honestly say that my
consciousness will forever reminisce about the day I carried
boxes to and fro: getting my carefully laid out first-day-of-work
black pants dusty was something I’ve always looked forward
to doing. In all seriousness, however, ADC has always been an
organization that I admired. ADC-Michigan creates a climate
that engenders inclusion which helped give me the space to be
creative and pursue projects I am passionate about. The experiences and Fatina’s constant reminder that young Arab-Amer-
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“Diversity implies division. Inclusion is the missing link.” I
heard this the other day at a meeting I took part in between
Director Fatina Abdrabboh and administrators at a university
nearby. I have been thinking about it ever since. America is a
diverse country, but are we really inclusive? Do we really give
everyone a fair chance? This is just one of the things I learned
to consider while working with ADC-Michigan, where I am
surrounded by people with abundant wisdom, big hearts, and
the drive to make a difference in our surrounding community.
The first day I walked into the office, I had no idea what to
expect. Little did I know I would be thrown into the whirlwind
of non-profit dynamics, projects I fell in love with, and a community I have learned to care so much about. ADC-Michigan
has opened my eyes to the dark side of hate crimes, discrimination, and intolerance; but it has also opened my eyes to the
bright side of civil rights activism. I’m sure anyone who has
worked in this field has come to see that the world isn’t always
as nice as it seems. I’ve always been on the brink of accepting
this as fact. After working here, I developed a new relationship
with this idea. The world has many issues; but there are people
who want to fix it and I am one of those people. I am capable.
Empowerment like this can only be found when working with
such wonderful minds. I have been given opportunities here to
change my community that I will be proud of my entire life.
One project I am working on is a youth empowerment curriculum. The curriculum is designed to give youth in the MetroDetroit area a voice and teach them about activism. Working
on a project like this has increased my interest in youth involvement in activism and the message we, as a non-profit, can
send to students to help improve the community. Working with
ADC has been a unique experience. I was not only able to help
develop the curriculum but I have also had a hand in almost
all the projects we have worked on this summer, ranging from
the Cyber Civil Rights Monitor to building the offices knowledge on immigration law. I was able to see different aspects of
civil rights activism, and law, and put my ideas forward. After
working this summer, I now have an even greater appreciation
for the work organizations like ADC do. It is usually thankless
work, understated and underappreciated, but it is needed in
our communities. “Diversity implies division. Inclusion is the
missing link.” ADC-Michigan is doing great work to promote
a message of inclusion, or at the very least tolerance and I
am proud to be part of this message. After this summer, I feel
more prepared and better equipped for a future in policy, law
and educational reforms as it pertains to the Arab-American
community and other marginalized groups.
2014 Intern Perspectives
Intern Adventures
On July 3rd, the interns and intern
coordinator met with His Excellency
Ambassador Antoine Chedid at the
Embassy of Lebanon in Washington,
DC. After divulging the Middle Easter
origins of most of the interns, each person took turns opening a new subject
regarding Lebanon’s political and social
situation. One topic that raised a lot of
interest was the Syrian refugee crisis
that has been spilling over to Lebanon.
The Ambassador discussed various
plans that serve to help both the Syrian
refugees and the Lebanese people live
better living conditions. In addition to
the refugee concerns, the interns took
interest in the increase of violence and
threats to the national security of Lebanon and the ongoing trial at the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon. The Ambassador
welcomed the group with open arms
as well as refreshments and traditional
Lebanese sweets.
the embassy of lebanon
screening of madame parliamentarian
On May 27th, ADC hosted an Arabesque event on women’s participation
in politics at Busboys and Poets. The
event included a screening of Lebanese
filmmaker Rouane Itani’s documentary,
Madam Parliamentarian. The screening
was followed by an open discussion
and Q&A segment with the filmmaker
and guest speaker, Ms. Stephenie
Foster, the Senior Policy Advisor in the
Office of Global Women’s Issues at
the State Department. The film served
as an important learning segment on
women’s role in political life, or lack
thereof using Lebanon’s government
as a prime example. The discussion
included conversations about potential
solutions to increase the number of
women in politics, such as a quota solution that has already been adopted by
several nations. The event turned out to
be empowering and educational, and
a great way to start off the internship
program.
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2014 Intern Perspectives
Intern Adventures
ADC interns, along with intern coordinator Dima Calnan, met with
career Saudi diplomat and current
Chief Representative of the League of
Arab States, His Excellency Mohamed
Al-Husseini Al-Sharif at his office in
Washington, DC. Ambassador Al-Sharif
discussed his experiences growing up in
Saudi Arabia then continuing his studies in Beirut, Lebanon and the career
moves he was able to make in order to
be at his current position at the Arab
League. Sitting in his conference room,
each intern began to ask questions,
notably in regards to the Ambassadors
daily work and the ongoing situations
all over the Middle East. The Ambassador emphasized the need to raise
awareness and educate all people on
pertinent subjects such as the occupation of Palestinian territory.
the league of arab states
the federal election commission
ADC interns were invited to a panel discussion at the Federal Election Commission. The panel was made up of several
members of the FEC legal staff in various departments. Topics of discussion
included career paths, working for a
government agency versus a law firm,
and the functions of the FEC. One of the
panelists was Steve Najar, who participated in the Anthony Shedid Internship
Program himself during the summer of
2012. It was a great opportunity for the
interns to hear from professionals working in other fields about how they got
to their current positions. It was also exciting to learn from a former ADC intern
about how his time with ADC impacted
his career path.
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2014 Intern Perspectives
Special thanks to Dima Calnan!
The ADC National Office interns would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dima, who assisted in coordinating this
summer’s Anthony Shadid Internship program. Dima aided the interns in locating housing prior to their arrival in DC,
coordinated communication, and arranged for the interns to attend learning experiences outside of the office. We are
grateful for Dima’s kind welcome, thoughtful advice, and dear friendship. We wish her the very best as she heads to London this fall to begin a Master’s program at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
Intern at adc!
Since 1981, over 500 students have participated in the intern program of the ADC Research Institute (ADCRI). Students from all over the country gather at the national office in Washington, DC, each year to gain first-hand experience and knowledge about ADC issues and campaigns.
The intern program offers a variety of positions for leadership development. It educates students on issues of civil
rights, the Arab heritage, and current events in the Middle East. Students gain practical training in community organizing, media relations, research and writing, legal issues, political action, educational outreach, and routine office
work alongside our regular professional staff. The first few weeks of the summer program are centered on the annual
ADC National Convention in June.
Candidates must have completed at least one year of college. They can be undergraduates, recent graduates, or
graduate and law students. Each department has its own requirements.
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