Opinion article | It’s time for New York to adopt a MENA category

As leaders deeply committed to the well-being of New York’s diverse communities, we cannot afford to ignore the persistent erasure faced by people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

For too long, our communities have been rendered invisible, lumped into the broad category of “white” in data collection efforts. This oversight not only perpetuates systemic inequality but also deprives us of the personalized support and resources we desperately need. For years we have organized in our respective communities (Little Palestine in Brooklyn and Little Egypt in Queens) and have witnessed firsthand the impact of data erasure on our working-class immigrant families and neighbors.

The removal of MENA communities from official data collection is not a recent phenomenon but rather a historical legacy rooted in discriminatory practices. Since the early 20th century, MENA immigrants in the United States were classified as “white” due to legal and social frameworks that maintained a binary racial hierarchy. This classification was not indicative of social acceptance or equality, but rather a means to maintain the status quo of white supremacy.

Over the years, this classification has persisted, perpetuating the official invisibility of MENA communities and hindering efforts to address our unique needs. By lumping MENA people into the “white” category, policymakers overlook the diverse experiences of discrimination, marginalization, and cultural identity that define our communities.

The impact of this erasure is profound and far-reaching. Inaccurate data collection undermines efforts to combat discrimination and address disparities in education, employment, health care, housing, and political representation. Without accurate demographic data, policymakers cannot effectively allocate resources or develop targeted interventions to uplift marginalized communities.

Take healthcare, for example. People in MENA face unique health challenges, including higher rates of certain diseases and barriers to accessing culturally competent care. However, without separate data collection, these disparities remain hidden, perpetuating inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes. We saw this inequality firsthand during the pandemic, where dozens of members of our community died needlessly. There was no data yet to tell us the story about the impact of COVID-19 on the MENA community in places like Little Yemen in the Bronx, Little Egypt in Queens, and Little Palestine in Brooklyn.

Furthermore, political representation is affected when MENA individuals are not recognized as a distinct demographic group. By relegating us to the ambiguous category of “white,” policymakers overlook the nuances and concerns that define our experiences. This elimination undermines our ability to effectively advocate for policies that address the needs and concerns of our community.

It’s time to change. That’s why last year, in coalition with 15 organizations representing MENA, we introduced a state-level bill to gain MENA status in New York. We urge policymakers to recognize the importance of disaggregating data to accurately reflect the diversity within our city.

Implementing a separate MENA category in data collection efforts is not simply a matter of semantics; It is a critical step in recognizing and addressing the unique challenges our communities face. The New York State Senate recently passed a bill to count our communities. Now that the legislative session is coming to a close, the Assembly and Governor must follow suit and sign this into law.

By accurately capturing the experiences and needs of MENA people, policymakers can make informed decisions that promote equity and justice for all New Yorkers. We call on our fellow advocates, policymakers and community members to join us in demanding visibility and recognition for MENA communities. We know this is a first step in a long fight for a political voice for our community, but it is an important step in fighting the continued erasure we have faced for too long.