YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

In New York, the voter registration deadline was October 10th, which got me thinking…If I know my community, I’m guessing there are a whole bunch of potential Arab American voters running on “Arab time” who just never quite got around to registering to vote. With that in mind, Yalla Vote teamed up with some of our sponsoring organizations for a little last minute voter registration drive in the streets. Volunteers from NAAP, and AAA of Bay Ridge held down the Brooklyn side of things, while the American Mideast Leadership Network, AAI, and ADC teamed up to take on Queens. I organized a team of volunteers, and we were able to squeeze a little over 30 more voter registrations out of Steinway St. in Queens. We had some good conversations with newly registered voters, and educated well over 100 passerbys by about voting procedures, and regulations. We even sat back and enjoyed the sunshine and sights of Steinway St. while engaging in some spirited political discussions with local residents and those just passing by.

In other news, preparations for the candidates night are in full swing and excitement is mounting; volunteers from various student groups are clamoring for a chance to help out with AAI’s phone banking project, and yours truly is up to his neck in midterms and law school applications.

‘Til next time- This decent family man/ Arab American (yes you can be both) is signing off…

-Matt

After a blogging hiatus for a 2 week Jury Duty stint, and some beginning of school/ LSAT prep madness, I have returned to update everyone on the happenings in the world of Yalla Vote New York. As you know, the congressional primaries are fast approaching, and the 13th District will choose its candidate tomorrow, September 9th.

As the Yalla Vote Field Organizer in New York, I have had the opportunity and the privilege to interact with the major players in the race for the 13th District. All of the candidates are out in full force looking for votes, and trying to pick up the pieces left over from the Vito Fosella scandal, which rocked the 13th District, and upset the balance of what has historically been a Republican-leaning voting population. Among the hopefuls are Steve Harrison (D), Michael McMahon (D), and Jamshad Wyne (R), all of whom I have had an opportunity to connect with. In particular I have had conversations with Mr. Wyne and Mr. Harrison about the importance of Arab American political involvement, and about the concerns of many Arab American voters.

Regardless of who emerges from the fray on September 9th, Arab American voters in the 13th District will have the opportunity to grill those candidates at the Yalla Vote Candidates Night. Yalla Vote will be hosting the Democratic and Republican nominees at Widdi Catering Hall on 56th St. and 6th Avenue at 6:30pm on October 23rd. Of course food will be served, and the dialogue between candidate and voter promises to be interesting. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the 13th District congressional primary. Until then…

-Matt

The other day, I had an opportunity to go around Steinway St. in Queens and meet a few of the local businessmen, and see the churches and mosques that make up the Arab American community here. First, let me just say that this neigborhood is truly vibrant and beautiful. There is a tremendously diverse Arab American community here that meshes together into one unique whole. Morroccans and Palestinians next to Lebanese, Yemeni, Egyptians, and Syrians- truly a beautiful thing. However, when discussing this neigborhood with Mr. Rami Nuseir, who heads the American Mideast Leadership Network, I came to understand that despite the positive environment, and strong community, there is very little in the way of political organization out here. This realization was at once troubling and encouraging.

On the one hand, trying to get large communities of Arab Americans to do anything at the same time can feel a bit like herding cats, and the prospect of recruiting volunteers, and getting signatures for the Yalla Vote National Petition seems daunting. On the other hand, the community that already does exist is so proud of its various cultures, and open to sharing it with the rest of the world. I see the potential in this neighborhood to utilize the network of good will and the true commitment to Arab American values that already runs deep in Queens. As a field organizer, I need to take what already exists in this cultural and social community and figure out how to transform that energy and enthusism into a cohesive political force to be reckoned with. I feel that the microcosm of Steinway Street in Queens examplifies the struggle for Arab American political assertion on a national scale. We’re here, we are proud of who we are, but for some reason we have difficulty banding together, organizing, and using the channels available to us as Americans to galvanize positive change. Hopefully, by the end of the Yalla Vote campaign, my hefty contact lists and business directories, which will eventually manifest themselves as signatures and actual voters, and serve as a new start for Arab American political empowerment in Queens and beyond.

*Our Yalla Vote Field Organizers are hitting the ground running. For information about these amazing young men and women, and how to contact them, please visit the Field Organizers page here at Yalla Vote. Without further ado, we bring you Matt, our Field Organizer in New York:

Well, I’ve heard that any time you start a new job, the first few days are the hardest, but I have a feeling the most challenging tasks are yet to come. That being said, the first few have been no joke. I’ve been spending this week just trying to get my bearings and set up a solid game plan. I’ve gotten my calendar all set up, brainstormed some great event ideas, and spent the last couple days scouring the streets for grocery stores, shisha lounges, and arab-owned businesses. I’ve also just begun to build my spreadsheet of contacts. I had a mixup today where I was supposed to meet with Rami Nuseir, who heads the Mideast Leadership Network, but essentially dropped the ball and spent the morning trying to get recruits instead.
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Our thanks to Aparna Narayanan, whose piece in the Brooklyn Rail, Arab Americans head for the ballot box, offers such an eloquent glimpse into the life of new citizens…

If you’re second- or third-generation Arab American, the American political process is easy as breathing. You were born with the right to vote. For recent men and women just entering this crazy, wonderful country, negotiating the path to citizenship and the right to vote isn’t nearly as simple. Please read this article and YALLA VOTE!