Hi all,  

We have a very important task, and we like you to join us in pushing the US Government to add a MENA category to all government documents. 

 

Right now, we are counted as “white” and are systematically excluded from equal opportunity and equal protection.

 

We have been seen as foreign by the government and the public while also being invisible. During COVID-19, we didn’t have enough data on MENA communities to help fight the pandemic amongst our communities. We were left behind. And even though small business ownership and entrepreneurialism is a huge part of the MENA community, the lack of MENA data keeps policymakers and program officials blind to the obstacles we face establishing a successful small business.  

 

This is our chance to ensure that the government recognizes and meets the needs of MENA communities. This is our chance to change history. 

 

If we are successful, MENA communities will finally be eligible to receive better protection, support, and federal funding, allowing for more equitable health, education, political representation, and support for small businesses in our communities. If they don’t receive enough feedback, they could decide that this is not an efficient use of resources and not add a category. We cannot let that happen. 

 

As the White House Office of Budget and Management, put April 12, 2023 as the deadline to receive public comments (they asked for 10,000 public comments and as of March 31st, 2023, we are sitting on 7280 comments,) Please join us in advocating to the US government to count MENA communities. Submit your comment here http://bit.ly/supportMENA, and please encourage your peers, family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. We have created template comments, so it should only take you two minutes! Help us #CountMENAIn. 

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5/4/23 Update, the Office of Management and Budget informed us that out of over 14,000 letters and comments received, 13,350 of them were accepted, so here we are ready for the next step... please stay tuned

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9/23/2023 Update WASHINGTON, D.C., Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced the Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community Inclusion Act, legislation that would help make sure the federal government accurately recognizes the experiences and needs of members of MENA communities. This bill would help make them eligible for targeted minority public health programs and resources. Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.-16) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

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03/28/2024 Update Washington D.C., The Office on Management and Budget of the federal government introduce SB 15 to add the category of MENA to all of the US government forms effective in 2029.

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As we, the Arb Cultural and Community Center, welcome this move by the US Government, we disagree with some details of this bill and we continue along with our partner organizations across the US to negotiate for a better definitions of the sub categories of MENA