I live halfway between the People's Republic of Ann Arbor and Detroit. Fifteen minutes to Dearborn and twenty to Detroit. I grew up in Redford Township, literally on the Detroit Border and five minutes from Dearborn. The Arabs in my neighborhood were mostly Syrian. The Arabic girls were unapproachable in school. The Arabic guys partied w…
I live halfway between the People's Republic of Ann Arbor and Detroit. Fifteen minutes to Dearborn and twenty to Detroit. I grew up in Redford Township, literally on the Detroit Border and five minutes from Dearborn. The Arabs in my neighborhood were mostly Syrian. The Arabic girls were unapproachable in school. The Arabic guys partied with us even till their early twenties. Then it was as if a switch was triggered. No more chasing American girls and drinking. Phone calls were not returned. Things were still sociable but now distant. I noticed their party stores sold magazines like Hustler which were displayed behind the counter for all to see but no Arabic girls were allowed to work in the store. There were at times some skirmishes with the Syrian boys. They pestered the girls a bit. We had a saying, “You never fight one Syrian”. In conclusion, living close to Muslims has been more positive than unfavorable but I believe they are a blood (nationality) before country tribe.
I think you've brought up the most important point about immigrants coming to America. They need to become fully American, not simply enjoying the freedoms and opportunities here, but identifying primarily with their country of origin.
I live halfway between the People's Republic of Ann Arbor and Detroit. Fifteen minutes to Dearborn and twenty to Detroit. I grew up in Redford Township, literally on the Detroit Border and five minutes from Dearborn. The Arabs in my neighborhood were mostly Syrian. The Arabic girls were unapproachable in school. The Arabic guys partied with us even till their early twenties. Then it was as if a switch was triggered. No more chasing American girls and drinking. Phone calls were not returned. Things were still sociable but now distant. I noticed their party stores sold magazines like Hustler which were displayed behind the counter for all to see but no Arabic girls were allowed to work in the store. There were at times some skirmishes with the Syrian boys. They pestered the girls a bit. We had a saying, “You never fight one Syrian”. In conclusion, living close to Muslims has been more positive than unfavorable but I believe they are a blood (nationality) before country tribe.
I think you've brought up the most important point about immigrants coming to America. They need to become fully American, not simply enjoying the freedoms and opportunities here, but identifying primarily with their country of origin.