{"id":6132,"date":"2022-04-27T11:42:14","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T15:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/?p=6132"},"modified":"2023-12-11T15:51:35","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T20:51:35","slug":"arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Blog: Arab American Heritage Month: Actions You Can Take to Increase Inclusion at Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><button id=\"listenButton1\" class=\"responsivevoice-button\" type=\"button\" value=\"Play\" title=\"ResponsiveVoice Tap to Start\/Stop Speech\"><span>&#128266; Listen to this article<\/span><\/button>\n        <script>\n            listenButton1.onclick = function(){\n                if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){\n                    responsiveVoice.cancel();\n                }else{\n                    responsiveVoice.speak(\"First things first, it\u2019s pronounced \u201cAir-ub,\u201d not \u201cAye-rab.\u201d Correct pronunciation is integral to inclusion, and many of us Arabs living in America feel belittled when the one word that represents our unified identity is mispronounced or Americanized. Words hold power, and proper pronunciation indicates respect. In this article, you\u2019ll find additional tips for workplace inclusion, so that your organization can recognize and participate in National Arab American Heritage Month, and continue best practices all year long. Here are some important foundational points to keep in mind as you read or listen to this guide: There are 22 Arab countries in the world. Some intersect with Africa; some intersect with Asia. Most Arab people speak 3+ languages. Most typically, Arabic, English, and French. Arabic is the primary language in each of these 22 countries, yet it has many different accents, enunciations, idioms, and colloquial expressions depending on the country of origin. For instance, the Arabic language spoken in South Sudan is vastly different from the Arabic spoken in Saudi Arabia. Not all Arab people are Muslim, and not all Muslim people are Arab. The \u2018Middle East\u2019 refers to the region itself, while \u2018Arab\u2019 refers to Arabic-speaking countries and cultures. There are countries in the Middle East that do not speak Arabic, like Turkey and Iran. Arab people come from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Many Arab people identify as Black, White, multiracial, olive-skinned, or more. Yet the U.S. Census has put \u201cMiddle Eastern & North African\u201d within the \u201cWhite\u201d racial category, which is not an agreeable classification to most Middle Eastern people, North African people, and Arab-speaking individuals in the U.S. \u2018North Africa\u2019 entails Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria. All these countries are Arab countries because they speak the same language, yet they are also African. Hence, an Egyptian person may identify as both Arab and African. Now that we have covered the foundational elements of terminology, let\u2019s address the representation of Arab Americans in diversity programs and inclusion efforts. Empowerment and visibility for Arab American professionals Let\u2019s be real. Even in conversations about organization-wide diversity and inclusion, we rarely talk about empowering Arab American communities or employees. Most Arab American professionals try to assimilate to American work culture and do what they need to do to be successful, in some cases because we\u2019ve been taught by our parents to respect authority and follow the rules. For many of us, it wasn\u2019t until we started seeing multiple underrepresented and marginalized communities around us (for instance, the Black American community, LGBTQ+ community, and the disability community) empowered in the DEI space that we realized our experience is underrepresented too, and we need to speak up and lead our narrative in this climate. Here, let me note, it is crucial that Arab American professionals lead their own narrative in the workplace because, for many years, mainstream media has put forward false imagery and stories about our communities. We have been placed in boxes and categories, without the chance to speak up and correct biased misinformation. For instance, Arabic has been portrayed as an aggressive language so that if someone breaks into their original accent, they could be viewed as \u201cdifficult to work with.\u201d How Arab American Employees add value to your organization Arab Americans in the workforce add tremendous value by leveraging their lived experience. For instance through: A multilingual skill set:\u00a0 Most people of Arab American heritage are bilingual or trilingual, helping your organization reach a wider market. Their cultural upbringing: Many Arab Americans grew up in an environment where they were \u201craised by the village\u201d and would thus describe themselves as hospitable, welcoming, friendly, or warm. Valuable global experiences: Many Arab American people have worked in multiple different countries (for instance, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt) and have learned to interact on a daily basis with people who are different than they are, whether that means other Arab people, Middle Eastern people, North African people, West African people, or others. Their cultural competency is a huge business advantage, especially in a cross-cultural environment. Inclusive Language Practices for Communicating with Your Arab American Colleagues 1. When you\u2019re making friends, don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions. But also remember, as a best practice for inclusive language, you should only ask someone about their ethnicity when it is relevant to the conversation or if you are developing a friendship and genuinely want to learn more about this person. Never ask \u201cWhat are you?,\u201d which is offensive and belittling. Instead, you might try \u201cWhich country is your family from?\u201d; \u201cDo you speak multiple languages?\u201d; or \u201cWould you feel comfortable telling me a little bit about the history of your country? I\u2019d like to learn more.\u201d By asking respectful questions like these, you are showing your Arab American colleague that you are genuinely interested and their lived experience is valued in the workplace. 2. Be respectful of cultural practices and perspectives. Learn respectful ways to accommodate your Arab American and Muslim colleagues throughout National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) and throughout Ramadan. But remember, it isn\u2019t only during NAAHM and Ramadan that Arab American people deserve acknowledgement and respect. Show cultural competence throughout the year by being respectful of your Arab American colleagues\u2019 cultural practices, no matter how different they may be from your own. Many Arab American individuals hold deep cultural values that are often misunderstood as being \u201cun-liberated\u201d or \u201cclosed-off.\u201d For instance, consider the following scenario: Salwa is a 25-year-old Christian Arab and North African-identifying woman who was raised in Maghreb, Morocco and recently moved to California to pursue her Master\\'s Degree in Business Administration. One night after class, her classmates invite her for a drink, and she accepts.\u00a0 It is important to understand that, as a Christian in Morocco, Salwa learned to be exceptionally cautious about drinking with her Muslim friends (because alcohol is considered haram \u2013 prohibited or sinful \u2013 by many Muslims). Salwa knows to be respectful of different cultural-religious practices. Thus, it is part of her character to be socially aware and attuned to how her actions might make other people uncomfortable.\u00a0 Her friends notice that she is not so engaged in drinking or talking about R-rated topics as they are, but they assume her actions stem from her upbringing within a conservative culture where women don\u2019t get to speak their minds. Salwa definitely felt some culture shock when she arrived, but since then, she has seized the opportunity to educate her friends about how she grew up and what she learned in Morocco about respecting cultural boundaries and being socially conscious as a sign of admiration. She assures them her actions have nothing to do with being \u201cun-liberated.\u201d The main point of this scenario is that people should not automatically assume a person is close-minded or intolerant simply because they come from an Arab country. Values, principles, and practices of respect are major pillars of many Arab cultures that Arab individuals in America often choose to hold on to so they can stay true to themselves.\u00a0 Hence, it\u2019s best to respect those cultural boundaries when interacting with Arab American colleagues who clearly state or show their values. Just because we live in America does not mean we all have to express ourselves and behave the same way. 3. Use your words to make people feel welcome. To show cultural interest and appreciation for your Arab American colleagues and their language, here are some foundational tips: You can greet them with a simple \u201cAhlan!\u201d (hello) or \u201cMarhaba\u201d (hi), and ask \u201cKifak?\u201d (how are you) for addressing men or \u201cKifeek?\u201d for women. When you are meeting a new person who is nonbinary or whose gender you do not know, you may address them with \u201cKifkoun\u201d instead. (Kifkoun also means \u201chow are you\u201d but uses a plural \u201cyou,\u201d similar to the singular they in English). However, most Arab American non-binary or gender non-conforming individuals utilize English for inclusive language in the workplace, especially since gender-inclusive language in the Arabic language is still a work-in-progress.\u00a0 For those who celebrate Ramadan, you might say \u201cRamadan Mubarak!\u201d (blessed Ramadan) or \u201cRamadan Kareem!\u201d (generous Ramadan, or may Ramadan be generous to you). Avoid showing pity or belittling your colleagues who come from countries facing war and economic breakdown. Rather, empower their narrative of personal development. For instance, instead of saying \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, that must be so tough for you!\u201d You can say \u201cI really admire your perseverance, and I am learning a lot from your cultural upbringing. I enjoy having you as a colleague.\u201d 4. Avoid unconscious, linguistic bias. Linguistic bias refers to the misconceptions one person has towards another whose English might be considered \u201cbroken\u201d or different from the standard of business communication. Never say \u201cyou speak English so well.\u201d It is an offensive microaggression. In the case of Arab American people, especially those who may have heavy accents, it\u2019s important to remember that their \u201cimperfect\u201d spoken English is not a sign of weakness or a lack of intelligence or any other negative thing. Instead, it shows their adaptability in learning and speaking more than one language \u2013 an added value in work environments. Often, people may stumble over their words and need a little extra time to deliver their thoughts. Consider offering a simple, encouraging statement such as \u201cI\u2019m interested in your perspective on this matter, please take your time answering, and I am here to listen.\u201d Encouragement like this can make your colleague feel comfortable and open about communicating, without feeling intimidated by a demand for perfect English. Jad-\u00c9vangelo Nasser is a multilingual Media & Communications professional and educator with global experience in creative agencies in the Middle East, North African and North American regions with extensive skill sets in film production, creative marketing strategies, DEI, and learning and development.\", \"US English Male\");\n                }\n            };\n        <\/script>\n    <\/br><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first, it\u2019s pronounced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/us\/pronunciation\/english\/arab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAir-ub,\u201d not \u201cAye-rab.\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Correct pronunciation is integral to inclusion, and many of us Arabs living in America feel belittled when the one word that represents our unified identity is mispronounced or Americanized. Words hold power, and proper pronunciation indicates respect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, you\u2019ll find additional tips for workplace inclusion, so that your organization can recognize and participate in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/national-arab-american-heritage-month-what-it-is-how-to-honor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Arab American Heritage Month<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and continue best practices all year long.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Here are some important foundational points to keep in mind as you read or listen to this guide:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are 22 Arab countries in the world. Some intersect with Africa; some intersect with Asia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most Arab people speak 3+ languages. Most typically, Arabic, English, and French.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arabic is the primary language in each of these 22 countries, yet it has many different accents, enunciations, idioms, and colloquial expressions depending on the country of origin. For instance, the Arabic language spoken in South Sudan is vastly different from the Arabic spoken in Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all Arab people are Muslim, and not all Muslim people are Arab.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u2018Middle East\u2019 refers to the region itself, while \u2018Arab\u2019 refers to Arabic-speaking countries and cultures. There are countries in the Middle East that do not speak Arabic, like Turkey and Iran.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arab people come from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Many Arab people identify as Black, White, multiracial, olive-skinned, or more. Yet the U.S. Census has put \u201cMiddle Eastern &amp; North African\u201d within the \u201cWhite\u201d racial category, which is not an agreeable classification to most Middle Eastern people, North African people, and Arab-speaking individuals in the U.S.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018North Africa\u2019 entails Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria. All these countries are Arab countries because they speak the same language, yet they are also African. Hence, an Egyptian person may identify as both Arab and African.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we have covered the foundational elements of terminology, let\u2019s address the representation of Arab Americans in diversity programs and inclusion efforts.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Empowerment and visibility for Arab American professionals<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s be real. Even in conversations about organization-wide diversity and inclusion, we rarely talk about empowering Arab American communities or employees. Most Arab American professionals try to assimilate to American work culture and do what they need to do to be successful, in some cases because we\u2019ve been taught by our parents to respect authority and follow the rules.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many of us, it wasn\u2019t until we started seeing multiple underrepresented and marginalized communities around us (for instance, the Black American community, LGBTQ+ community, and the disability community) empowered in the DEI space that we realized our experience is underrepresented too, and we need to speak up and lead our narrative in this climate. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, let me note, it is crucial that Arab American professionals lead their own narrative in the workplace because, for many years, mainstream media has put forward false imagery and stories about our communities. We have been placed in boxes and categories, without the chance to speak up and correct biased misinformation. For instance, Arabic has been portrayed as an aggressive language so that if someone breaks into their original accent, they could be viewed as \u201cdifficult to work with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/library\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8876 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-1024x341.png\" alt=\"TDM Library: your one-stop-shop for update, expert DEI Resources. Explore the platform with a free trial. Click here to learn more.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"341\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/NEW-TDM-Library-Display-Ad_Large-A.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/341;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>How Arab American Employees add value to your organization<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arab Americans in the workforce add tremendous value by leveraging their lived experience. For instance through:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A multilingual skill set:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Most people of Arab American heritage are bilingual or trilingual, helping your organization reach a wider market.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Their cultural upbringing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many Arab Americans grew up in an environment where they were \u201craised by the village\u201d and would thus describe themselves as hospitable, welcoming, friendly, or warm.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Valuable global experiences: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many Arab American people have worked in multiple different countries (for instance, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt) and have learned to interact on a daily basis with people who are different than they are, whether that means other Arab people, Middle Eastern people, North African people, West African people, or others. Their cultural competency is a huge business advantage, especially in a cross-cultural environment.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Inclusive Language Practices for Communicating with Your Arab American Colleagues<\/h3>\n<p><b>1. When you\u2019re making friends, don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But also remember,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as a best practice for inclusive language, you should only ask someone about their ethnicity when it is relevant to the conversation or if you are developing a friendship and genuinely want to learn more about this person. Never ask \u201cWhat are you?,\u201d which is offensive and belittling. Instead, you might try \u201cWhich country is your family from?\u201d; \u201cDo you speak multiple languages?\u201d; or \u201cWould you feel comfortable telling me a little bit about the history of your country? I\u2019d like to learn more.\u201d By asking respectful questions like these, you are showing your Arab American colleague that you are genuinely interested and their lived experience is valued in the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><b>2. Be respectful of cultural practices and perspectives. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn respectful ways to accommodate your Arab American and Muslim colleagues throughout <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/national-arab-american-heritage-month-what-it-is-how-to-honor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and throughout <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/guest-blog-understanding-ramadan-and-laylat-al-qadr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramadan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But remember, it isn\u2019t only during NAAHM and Ramadan that Arab American people deserve acknowledgement and respect. Show cultural competence throughout the year by being respectful of your Arab American colleagues\u2019 cultural practices, no matter how different they may be from your own. Many Arab American individuals hold deep cultural values that are often misunderstood as being \u201cun-liberated\u201d or \u201cclosed-off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, consider the following scenario:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salwa is a 25-year-old Christian Arab and North African-identifying woman who was raised in Maghreb, Morocco and recently moved to California to pursue her Master&#8217;s Degree in Business Administration. One night after class, her classmates invite her for a drink, and she accepts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to understand that, as a Christian in Morocco, Salwa learned to be exceptionally cautious about drinking with her Muslim friends (because <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alcohol is considered haram \u2013 prohibited or sinful \u2013 by many Muslims). Salwa knows to be <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">respectful of different cultural-religious practices. Thus, it is part of her character to be socially aware and attuned to how her actions might make other people uncomfortable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Her friends notice that she is not so engaged in drinking or talking about R-rated topics as they are, but they assume her actions stem from her upbringing within a conservative culture where women don\u2019t get to speak their minds. Salwa definitely felt some culture shock when she arrived, but since then, she has seized the opportunity to educate her friends about how she grew up and what she learned in Morocco about respecting cultural boundaries and being socially conscious as a sign of admiration. She assures them her actions have nothing to do with being \u201cun-liberated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main point of this scenario is that people should not automatically assume a person is close-minded or intolerant simply because they come from an Arab country. Values, principles, and practices of respect are major pillars of many Arab cultures that Arab individuals in America often choose to hold on to so they can stay true to themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hence, it\u2019s best to respect those cultural boundaries when interacting with Arab American colleagues who clearly state or show their values. Just because we live in America does not mean we all have to express ourselves and behave the same way. <\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>3. Use your words to make people feel welcome. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To show cultural interest and appreciation for your Arab American colleagues and their language, here are some foundational tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can greet them with a simple \u201cAhlan!\u201d (hello) or \u201cMarhaba\u201d (hi), and ask \u201cKifak?\u201d (how are you) for addressing men or \u201cKifeek?\u201d for women. When you are meeting a new person who is nonbinary or whose gender you do not know, you may address them with \u201cKifkoun\u201d instead. (Kifkoun also means \u201chow are you\u201d but uses a plural \u201cyou,\u201d similar to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/public.oed.com\/blog\/a-brief-history-of-singular-they\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">singular they<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in English). However, most Arab American non-binary or gender non-conforming individuals utilize English for inclusive language in the workplace, especially since gender-inclusive language in the Arabic language is still a work-in-progress.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who celebrate Ramadan, you might say \u201cRamadan Mubarak!\u201d (blessed Ramadan) or \u201cRamadan Kareem!\u201d (generous Ramadan, or may Ramadan be generous to you).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid showing pity or belittling your colleagues who come from countries facing war and economic breakdown. Rather, empower their narrative of personal development. For instance, instead of saying \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, that must be so tough for you!\u201d You can say \u201cI really admire your perseverance, and I am<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">learning a lot from your cultural upbringing. I enjoy having you as a colleague.\u201d <\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>4. Avoid unconscious, linguistic bias. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linguistic bias refers to the misconceptions one person has towards another whose English might be considered \u201cbroken\u201d or different from the standard of business communication. Never say \u201cyou speak English so well.\u201d It is an offensive microaggression. In the case of Arab American people, especially those who may have heavy accents, it\u2019s important to remember that their \u201cimperfect\u201d spoken English is not a sign of weakness or a lack of intelligence or any other negative thing. Instead, it shows their adaptability in learning and speaking more than one language \u2013 an added value in work environments. Often, people may stumble over their words and need a little extra time to deliver their thoughts. Consider offering a simple, encouraging statement such as \u201cI\u2019m interested in your perspective on this matter, please take your time answering, and I am here to listen.\u201d Encouragement like this can make your colleague feel comfortable and open about communicating, without feeling intimidated by a demand for perfect English.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/library\/%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8041 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-1024x85.png\" alt=\"Display ad for TDM Library. Text says &quot;Find more content like this in TDM Library. Start my free trial&quot;\" width=\"1024\" height=\"85\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-1024x85.png 1024w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-600x50.png 600w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-300x25.png 300w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A-768x64.png 768w, https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/TDM-Library-Footer-Ad-A.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/85;\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Jad-\u00c9vangelo Nasser<\/strong> is a multilingual Media &amp; Communications professional and educator with global experience in creative agencies in the Middle East, North African and North American regions with extensive skill sets in film production, creative marketing strategies, DEI, and learning and development. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First things first, it\u2019s pronounced \u201cAir-ub,\u201d not \u201cAye-rab.\u201d Correct pronunciation is integral to inclusion, and many of us Arabs living in America feel belittled when the one word that represents15<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,5],"tags":[73,74,76],"tdm_type":[92],"class_list":["post-6132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-fundamentals","category-blogs","tag-allyship","tag-diversity-holidays","tag-race","tdm_type-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Guest Blog: Arab American Heritage Month: Actions You Can Take to Increase Inclusion at Work - The Diversity Movement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this article, you\u2019ll find additional tips for workplace inclusion, so that your organization can recognize and participate in National Arab American Heritage Month, and continue best practices all year long.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guest Blog: Arab American Heritage Month: Actions You Can Take to Increase Inclusion at Work - The Diversity Movement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this article, you\u2019ll find additional tips for workplace inclusion, so that your organization can recognize and participate in National Arab American Heritage Month, and continue best practices all year long.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Diversity Movement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thediversitymovement\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-04-27T15:42:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-11T20:51:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-04-at-11.53.00-AM-1024x681.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"681\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Walk West\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Walk West\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Walk West\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/#\/schema\/person\/96226c18fc3fda99e138ea5726960e51\"},\"headline\":\"Guest Blog: Arab American Heritage Month: Actions You Can Take to Increase Inclusion at Work\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-04-27T15:42:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-11T20:51:35+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/\"},\"wordCount\":1668,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/live-diversitymovement.pantheonsite.io\/arab-american-heritage-month-actions-to-increase-inclusion-at-work\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-04-at-11.53.00-AM.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Allyship\",\"Diversity Holidays\",\"Race &amp; 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