Syrian Migrants in Southern California, 1880-1945

FAIN: FA-233157-16

Sarah Gualtieri
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA 90089-0012)

A book-length study of Syrian migration to Southern California, 1880-1945, based on archival work and oral histories conducted in California, Syria, Lebanon, and Mexico.

Arabness Unbound is the first book-length study of Syrians in Southern California, an area with the largest Middle Eastern population in the United States and, after Metropolitan Detroit, the largest population of Arab origin or descent. Based on archival work and oral histories conducted in California, Syria, Lebanon, and Mexico it demonstrates the theoretical significance of Arab migrants to the study of transnationalism. Special attention is given to multiple migrations and to the creation of multiple homes as migrants moved in diaspora, particularly from Mexico to Southern California and back. By emphasizing movement and inter-ethnic solidarities, the project unbinds Syrian migrants from a single nation and establishes a framework for collaborative ethnic studies, one that connects Arab American to Latino and Asian American studies.

Media Coverage

Middle East expert finds Syrian Americans comprise a rich multiplicity of identities (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Susan Bell
Publication: USCDornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Science e-news
Date: 2/18/2016
Abstract: USC Dornsife’s Sarah Gualtieri explores the vibrant history and valuable contributions of Southern California’s thriving Syrian American community, reversing stereotypes and finding unexpected links with Latin America.
URL: https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/2273/middle-east-expert-finds-syrian-americans-comprise-a-rich-multip/

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