Arab-Americans have long settled in the United States. It is believed that amongst Columbus’ crew were several Arabs and even Muslims. That is very plausible. When Columbus was headed on his quest to find a new route to India, a large Arab-Muslim community was still present in modern Spain (the Moors).

Whether that is true or not, Arabs have long been an integral part of American society. Prominent Arab-Americans include James Farr from the T.V. show Mash, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, former White House chief of staff John Sununu. But the community has also long face racism and disdain. In the early 20th century, Arabs prevented from being naturalized on the account that they were not white. And since the creation of Israel and over-identification with the Zionist narrative, Arabs have long been made to be politically toxic, viewed suspiciously, and only allowed access into the American establishment if they do not express ethnic pride.

One of the problems that the Arab-American community faces - which makes them often un-accepted in American society - is that few Americans know an Arabs. If more people knew the contributions of Arab-Americans, then the community would face less racism and more welcome. With that in mind, Syrian-American journalist Alia Malek set out to write the American story of Arabs in the country.

Titled “A Country Called Amreeka [America],” it details the lives of several Arab-Americans from Ed Salem a former Redskins football player and was a civil rights activists to a young Palestinian-American who discovered his roots while watching the evening news.

A beautifully written book, “Amreeka” is a vivid tale of the role Arabs have played in enriching American life. Arabs are not the “Other” but the neighbor.

One man that may have been profiled by Malek is Michael A. Monsoor. Journalists are often quick to note the Arab heritage or Islamic faith of any Arab engaging in unsavour behavior, but rarely do they note the patriotic Arabs whom serve and die for Amreeka:

Too many Americans overlook the heroic efforts of Arab-Americans in uniform, said Capt. Eric Rahman, 35, an Army reservist who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq at the start of the war. He cited the example of Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy Seal and practicing Christian of Lebanese and Irish descent who was awarded the Medal of Honor after jumping on a grenade and saving at least three team members during a firefight in 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq. Yet Petty Officer Monsoor will never be remembered like Major Hasan, said Captain Rahman.

Mansoor was a hero, Rahman is a hero, these are the Arab-Americans who deserve to be remembered and noted for the great effort on behalf of the United States.