Background AND details OF THE MENA category
For decades, the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) population in the United States has advocated for a demographic standard that recognizes the various ethnic sub-populations from the region. The absence of a MENA category has resulted in significant disparities, even in California. To remedy these disparities, the State of California can create a distinct category labeled Middle East or North African (MENA) and require the new standard to be available to Californians.
The Arab American Civic Council recommends the State of California to create a distinct ethnic minimum reporting category labeled Middle East or North African (MENA) and require the new standard to be available to Californians across all state forms, public and private, to identify with their respective ethnic background.
Since 2010, the US Census Bureau has conducted large-scale studies to determine the need for a unique MENA category separate from the White category. The results published in the 2015 National Content Test recommend creating a distinct minimum reporting category for the MENA population.
The results show that over 3.5 million people in the United States identified with a sub-population under the MENA category (1.5% of the White population, alone or in any combination). California has the largest MENA population in the US, with 740,219 reported members (3.4% of California’s “White” population, alone or in any combination). The top three largest MENA groups in California are Iranian, Lebanese, and Egyptian.
Despite having the largest MENA population in the nation, California does not use a standard or have legislation recognizing the population. Instead, the MENA population is aggregated and clumped into other ethnic categories, obscuring the unique demographic characteristics and needs of the MENA population. By ignoring the MENA population, there is serious concern about underrepresentation, inadequate resource allocation, and severe quality of life oversight in education, health, and civil rights.
“What is not measured cannot be improved.”
For generations, MENA populations and subpopulations have experienced prejudice and systemic bias. These biases result in disadvantages in social, health, and economic means, resulting in conditions such as poor mental health, stressors, and social or professional marginalization.
They leave from stress, they arrive to stress
Wars and conflict in the MENA region have created a profusion of MENA citizens fleeing from violence and state breakdown. When they arrive in America, they arrive into a system that has racialized them within negative stereotypes and low resources.
Community Recognition will equip everyone
Recognizing the MENA community will allow public and private institutions, agencies, and commissions to have accurate and effective measurement tools to develop needed interventions to assist with the population.
What is the MENA category?
It is important to know that the MENA Category is an ethnic category, not a racial category, as people from the MENA region can identify with any racial group and represent numerous diverse populations. Further, the MENA Category is based on geography, and the MENA region has many sub-populations with identities that should be supported and reported under the MENA category.
The University of California System has collected data from what it refers to as Southwest Asian and North Africa (SWANA), which contains a larger area of countries and nationalities.
The Arab American Civic Council understands that the term “Middle East” is a colonial term and fully supports the decision to alter the term in future conversations. Below is a sample map that contains the region and people of concern.
Factors impacting California’s MENA population
Collecting data on Californians who identify with the MENA region has been challenging for researchers and professionals who work in their population. Because the federal government lists the MENA population under the White category, it isn’t easy to disaggregate their information from the rest of the population.
However, researchers have labored and worked hard to uncover data that reflects the challenges facing the MENA community. This data has illustrated various challenges of communities from the MENA region, such as different health disparities, and higher traumatic stressors.
California’s MENA Diversity
California doesn’t just have the largest MENA population, but it also has one of the most diverse groups, including Transnational identities such as Chaldean, Assyrian, Kurdish, Syriac, and Yazidi.
Middle Eastern Population by Ethnic Group by Ayah ShiadahBENEFITS of Implementing a MENA Demographic Category
Including a MENA category leads to several benefits, including more access to aid, government services, and protections against bias and discrimination against MENA populations. But most importantly, it recognizes a population that has often been ignored, dehumanized, and othered by systemic ignorance.
Improved Data Collection and Analysis
Accurate demographic data is crucial for effective policymaking and resource allocation. A distinct MENA category would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the population’s needs and challenges.
Equitable Resource Distribution
By disaggregating the MENA population from the “White” category, policymakers can ensure that resources are equitably distributed to address the specific needs of the MENA community.
AND VISIBILITYEmpowerment
A MENA category would provide a sense of recognition and validation for the community, promoting cultural identity and empowerment.
Enhanced Opportunities
Researchers would gain access to more granular data, enabling them to conduct more accurate studies on the MENA population’s health, education, and social outcomes.
Resources
The Arab American Civic Council has compiled a list of resources, including previous research, campaigns, and current language from the federal government. Please contact us at hello@aaciviccouncil.org if you’d like us to add any resources or to refer to any of the information on this page.
Arab American Institute – Yalla! Count me In!
For over 20 years, the Arab American Institute has worked on collecting data and statistics that reflects the needs of Arab Americans.
Federal Register Updating of Racial and Ethnic Standards
In 2023, the Office of Management and Budget, the agency that overseas the ethnic and racial definitions in the United States, requested public comments on the MENA category.
2015 Census National Content Test
In 2015, the US Census conducted a test on how many Americans respond to the MENA category. This research shows which populations are most likely to associate with the MENA category.
Brief – Social Disadvantages of MENA Americans
Dr. Louise Cainkar of Marquette prepared a brief detailing the various disadvantages for the MENA population. Study looks at years of social data.
Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans
PAAIA provides Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the MENA category and its relation to the Iranian American population.
AACC’s Data Fact Sheet
For the past three years, the AACC has gathered literature and prepared a bibliographic review of different studies concerning the MENA population. Specific focus is on California communities.
MENA Perceptions to Whiteness
Dr. Neda Maghbouleh’s study on how Americans of MENA descent do not perceive themselves to be “White,” and how other populations do not perceive MENA populations as “White” either.
Racialization Stressors during 9/11 on California MENA Americans Birth Outcomes
This study by Elyas Bakhtiari finds that the negative racialization and traumatic stressors forced upon MENA Americans during 9/11 resulted in decrease birth weights.
Risk and Health Factors of Iranian and Arab Americans in Northern California
Study analyzes thousands of data points of Iranian and Arab Americans to point out different health factors.
Arab Americans and COVID-19 in El Cajon/San Diego
Dr. Raed Al Naser, et al, analyzed data of San Diego’s Arab American community, the highest concentrated area of Arab Americans in California.
UCLA Health Surveys Analysis
Study reviews UCLA Community Health Surveys to identify Arab American names.
2020 Census Respondents Identifying with MENA
In 2020, the US Census allowed for citizens to write-in their MENA identities. They published the MENA results in 2023.
