Compromised Marginality: Rethinking Political Engagement and Identity Formation within MENA Communities

In order to lay out the key findings about the MENA community and the way they engage politically, this thesis will proceed as follows. In chapter 1, I will provide an overview of the current scholarship across three areas: Political Representation and Engagement, Immigrant Groups and Assimilation, and Understanding the MENA identity. Chapter 2 will provide a historical background about why Middle Eastern and North African individuals began to immigrate to the US, which is broken down into three waves of immigration. It will then discuss the evolution of how MENA-Americans were racialized in the US, beginning with why they were classified as “White” and why the community later advocated for a distinct category. Chapter 3 will discuss the three major factors that influenced the way that MENA individuals identify, then illustrate how they view their American identity in tandem with their MENA, and lastly will explore how MENA as a label can be defined and which countries should be included and excluded. Chapter 4 will explore the various positive and negative factors that persuade and dissuade MENA individuals to engage with politics. It will then delve into how MENA individuals conceptualize their ideal form of representation. Chapter 5 will go into the insights that MENA leaders provided about key trends they have witnessed in their communities over time and into the present day. It will then discuss their insights on how to sustain the momentum for years to come. The conclusion will wrap up with summarizing the findings, discussing the implications, limitations, and a basis for future research. Based on the findings presented in the subsequent chapters, this thesis will illustrate how MENA identity and lived experiences are critical factors shaping their interests and influencing how MENA individuals engage in political spaces. The relationship is not one of causation but rather suggests a correlative link. Consequently, this thesis advocates for increased resources dedicated to: 1) researching and understanding the political interests of diverse ethnic communities, especially those of other underrepresented groups such as Central Asians, and 2) creating spaces where nuanced perspectives can be expressed. This latter point is crucial within ethnic communities to prevent them from being portrayed as monolithic. Ultimately, the goal is to progress toward a political system that fosters depth in discourse, leading to more accurate and thoughtful representation for all communities.