The AAUG: an activist, academic organization.

AuthorTerry, Janice J.
PositionAssociation of Arab-American University Graduates - Organization overview

IN 1968 I RETURNED TO THE U.S. AFTER four years in Beirut and London to begin my first university teaching job. I was shocked by the low level or lack of reasonable discussion on the Middle East, especially Palestine, even among my academic colleagues. In contrast, members of the AAUG combined academic rigor with political commitment and activism in the best sense of the word. AAUG Conventions were informative and exciting. The first AAUG programs were in marked contrast to those at MESA, another new academic organization on the scene at the time. For example, the first MESA meeting in December 1967 (just months after the '67 war) had seven panels, none of which dealt directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict. The closest the meeting came to addressing this crucial issue was a paper by Sabi Shabta, Consul General of Israel in Chicago, on "The Middle East Crisis: A Series of Miscalculations." While the first AAUG convention in 1968 dealt, appropriately, with "The Arab American Community: its Contribution and Role;" the second focused on "The Palestinian Revolution: Its International, Social and Technical Dimensions" with four panels and two plenary sessions all of which dealt with aspects of the ongoing conflict.

As a non-Arab I was originally not eligible for full voting membership, but joined AAUG as an associate, non-voting member. As the AAUG gained confidence the provision against full membership for non-Arabs was dropped and I, with some others, became full members and were subsequently elected to serve on the Board and as officers in the organization.

AAUG Conventions continued to be a highlight of my academic life. The 1982 Convention in Montreal co-chaired by William Haddad and Ghada Talhami stands out as one of the most exciting and informative of all. Coming just weeks after the '82 Israeli invasion and siege of Beirut, AAUG members were galvanized with determination to publicize and support the cause of the Palestinians and Lebanese in face of the overwhelming strength of Israel and its U.S. ally. Conventions also usually had excellent panels on economics with hard data and information--this before the age of the internet--then not readily available.

Throughout 1970s and 1980s, AAUG had local chapters that met regularly to discuss the Middle East and to address local problems faced by the Arab-American communities. AAUG also had medical and engineering sections. These sections offered the potential for exchanges of much needed scientific information with Arab professionals. However, when the medical section sent letters to all the major medical centers in every Arab country offering support and exchanges, only the Sudan responded. Sadly, through...

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