we can be whatever you want
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The construction and manipulation of Arab identity, particularly in the context of racial and religious tensions, has been shaped by shifting socio-political dynamics. In the case of Syrians in Indiana, a racialized divide emerged between Syrian Christians and Muslims, with the former asserting their "whiteness" in contrast to the Muslims, who also defended their racial identity as white. This intra-Syrian racial distinction was often marked by behaviors such as alcohol consumption, which became a cultural and symbolic marker of this divide (Curtis, 92). The broader Arab identity has similarly been reconfigured over time to accommodate the shifting demands of political and racial discourse. For example, during the early 20th century, the categorization of Syrians, Lebanese, and Armenians as "Asiatic" was vigorously contested, as advocates like Charles Malik argued that such classifications were both scientifically inaccurate and morally unjust. He and others pointed to encyclopedic definitions that placed Syrians within the "European races," with some even considering them Semitic rather than Asiatic (Asal, 83). This dispute over racial identity reflects a deeper struggle over how Arabs and other Middle Eastern peoples are perceived and categorized in the global racial hierarchy. In particular, Arabs sought to distance themselves from the "Asiatic" label due to the historical stigma and racial discrimination associated with this category, which often placed them alongside other marginalized groups in the West. The opposition to being categorized as Asiatic was not just a matter of scientific accuracy but also a strategic effort to avoid the difficulties and limitations of this racial classification. Moreover, there has been a tendency to subsume various national and ethnic identities under broader labels like "Lebanese," while disregarding the diverse Arab connections that link Syrians, Palestinians, Egyptians, and Iraqis (Asal, 15). This modification of Arab identity—whether to claim whiteness, resist the Asiatic label, or adopt a more flexible national identity—highlights the fluidity and political utility of racial and ethnic categories in navigating social and political spaces.