Earning federal recognition of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community as a distinct racial and ethnic group is essential to an accurate count in the next U.S. Census.
Because the MENA community is currently classified as “White,” these communities are ineligible. NNAAC is working to change that through our diligent efforts to get the MENA community recognized as a minority community in the United States Government.
Redistricting is another area in which NNAAC has played a significant role to ensure full representation of our community. In Michigan, for example, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Committee voted on new Congressional maps – two of which have changed significantly and represent our community of interest. Many Arab American organizations and individuals were actively involved in this endeavor. Like the U.S. Census, continuing to focus on creating more fair and representative maps in the future will ensure that the Arab American and broader MENA community are not left behind. Through the redistricting process is especially important for MENA communities to be represented because we are not represented through the census.
