This is an interview with Father Joseph Abud of St. George’s Orthodox Church in Flint, Michigan. This interview is about the treatment of Arab Americans in America as well as how they are perceived in today’s society. The initial start of the interview will go over basic heritage and the upbringing of Father Abud and as the interview goes on it will get in deeper detail. There are multiple subjects discussed including how some Arab Americans have cultural differences when coming to America. Standards and religions are different coming from different parts of the world, this is a kind of culture shock that can happen to some first generation immigrants to the United States. How the events of September 11th, 2001 had immediate and prolonging effects on Arab Americans. Arab Americans historically seem to have the stereotype of being terrorists, this is depicted in movies or the media in particular and this is obviously not the case. Discussion on how churches in the area have affected the local community including discussion of interaction with other branches of religion in a group called the apostolic clergy which neighboring churches or other places of faith would get together and collaborate or talk to each other to understand one another and come to particular agreements. Lastly, there is discussion about current political events surrounding the Middle East and Syria. How dictators, the Cold War, and American intervention have all played a part to what has happened today in the region. Also, the discussion if there could ever be peace in the region once again.
