Arab Voices

ARAB VOICES

What They Are Saying To Us, and Why It Matters

Grace Pineda-Blasco

STRAYER University – Doral campus

Abstract

Dr. James Zogby exposes in the last two chapters of his book Arab Voices – What They Are Saying To Us, and Why It Matters a very clear and detailed image on how our government as well as the private sector have and could potentially contribute towards a significant improvement in the relationship between the US and the Arab and Muslim world.

One of the most important moments described by Dr. Zogby is the speech that US President Barak Obama’s gave during his June 2009 visit to Cairo University followed by the already famous 2008 Philadelphia speech based on the tensions and misunderstandings on American’s race relations, as well as the interview with Al Arabiya. All these examples are a clear indication that the US government is working towards making a significant attempt to change their approach and have started to listen. Hopefully, their new approach will head towards a better understanding between America and the Arab world.

But it is in the last chapter of the book where Dr. Zogby involves the most important asset America counts with – the people – to take responsibility. As he explains, with the required involvement American should be able to continue with President Obama’s first step to get it right. From the media to local city governments, from private companies to individual contributions Dr. Zogby provides very successful and specific models that could certainly help both regions to close the existing gap and finally head towards an understanding between the American and the Arab Muslim world.

ARAB VOICES – What They Are Saying To Us, And Why It Matters

What Government Can Do

In the fifteenth chapter of his book ARAB VOICES – What They Are Saying To Us, And Why It Matters Dr. Zogby explains in detail the several options that the U.S. government, has available and could exercised with the...