Bridging the Gap: Romance between Middle Eastern and Western Cultures
Author: Nathaniel Mann
As a project for Introduction to the Modern Middle East, I was tasked with providing insights about the Middle East through the use of a narrative. Researching topics of interest led me to focus on two areas: family history and immigration. The subject of this narrative is a 20th century immigrant to the United States, Dr. George Faragallah (1928-2010), whose personal experiences can serve as a catalyst for discussion about modern Middle Eastern culture.
Several details of the interview were interesting springboards for discussion about familial relations and cultural divides across the world. George Faragallah was born in Jerusalem and forced to flee during the conflict in Palestine in the year 1948, living in a Jordanian refugee camp before spending time in Ethiopia, Great Britain, and the United States. Dr. Faragallah's youth experience was an example of the political and social turmoil engulfing parts of the Middle East in the early and mid-20th century. He, like many others, had to make a new home in a foreign land. This experience does not, however, represent the prevailing social climate of the Middle East; while conflict and strife was prevalent in certain areas, the majority of the region was not in upheaval.
Prior to his marriage, Dr. Faragallah's family became involved due to concerns about the character and culture of Western women, particularly on moral bases. The maxim "marrying a family" could not have been truer in this case, as relatives and government representatives flew to the United States to judge his fiancée for themselves. Her family made a favorable impression and the couple was permitted to marry, but the visit was indicative of a cultural disconnect between the Middle East and the West. Why would family and dignitaries fly all the way out to California to interview Dr. Faragallah's prospective wife?
Culturally and socially, the climate of the Middle East trended more conservatively than the West at the time. This disconnect led to rampant generalization on both sides. One stereotype in particular painted Western women as loose in morals and not fit for any respected Middle Eastern man. Likewise, Western stereotypes of those living in Middle Eastern countries exaggerated and generalized the negative.
How were these stereotypes broken? Simply put, coming in contact with the opposite culture was, in this case, enough to undo the learned and retold notions of the morally ambivalent Western woman. Dr. Faragallah's family and associates were able to see firsthand that the generalizations they had thought to be fact were indeed not indicative of most of their cultural counterparts. Above all else, personal connection from both sides of the cultural divide bridged the gap between the Middle East and the West in this narrative.
Citations:
"Dr. George Faragallah." Obituaries. Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2010. Web. 1 Dec. 2016
"George Faragallah." Hall of Fame Inductees. The National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2016.
As a project for Introduction to the Modern Middle East, I was tasked with providing insights about the Middle East through the use of a narrative. Researching topics of interest led me to focus on two areas: family history and immigration. The subject of this narrative is a 20th century immigrant to the United States, Dr. George Faragallah (1928-2010), whose personal experiences can serve as a catalyst for discussion about modern Middle Eastern culture.
The interview was conducted with a surviving family member who vividly recounted the story passed down by her mother about the meeting and eventual marriage of her aunt and uncle.
The Faragallah family, George: back row, farthest left [Photo Cred. Faragallah family]
Prior to his marriage, Dr. Faragallah's family became involved due to concerns about the character and culture of Western women, particularly on moral bases. The maxim "marrying a family" could not have been truer in this case, as relatives and government representatives flew to the United States to judge his fiancée for themselves. Her family made a favorable impression and the couple was permitted to marry, but the visit was indicative of a cultural disconnect between the Middle East and the West. Why would family and dignitaries fly all the way out to California to interview Dr. Faragallah's prospective wife?
George Faragallah and Lennie Lambert [Photo cred. Faragallah family]
Culturally and socially, the climate of the Middle East trended more conservatively than the West at the time. This disconnect led to rampant generalization on both sides. One stereotype in particular painted Western women as loose in morals and not fit for any respected Middle Eastern man. Likewise, Western stereotypes of those living in Middle Eastern countries exaggerated and generalized the negative.
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| Dr. George Faragallah, 1997 [Photo cred. NISOA Website] |
How were these stereotypes broken? Simply put, coming in contact with the opposite culture was, in this case, enough to undo the learned and retold notions of the morally ambivalent Western woman. Dr. Faragallah's family and associates were able to see firsthand that the generalizations they had thought to be fact were indeed not indicative of most of their cultural counterparts. Above all else, personal connection from both sides of the cultural divide bridged the gap between the Middle East and the West in this narrative.
George Faragallah and grandchildren, 2009 [Photo Cred. Faragallah family]
Citations:
Deena. "Modern Middle East Interview - On George Faragallah. Personal interview. 1 Dec. 2016.
"Dr. George Faragallah." Obituaries. Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2010. Web. 1 Dec. 2016
"George Faragallah." Hall of Fame Inductees. The National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2016.
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