How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?

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The narrative explores the lives of young Arab and Muslim Americans navigating a society that often misperceives them as adversaries. These individuals represent a largely overlooked aspect of American society, their experiences echoing the historical struggles of African Americans. In the aftermath of terrorist attacks and global political unrest, misconceptions about Arab and Muslim Americans have deepened, impacting the lives of seven young adults in Brooklyn, New York—home to the largest Arab American population in the U.S. Among them is Sami, an Arab American Christian, who grapples with public perceptions and the expectations placed on him as a veteran of the Iraq war. Rasha recounts her family's detention by the FBI in 2002, an experience that left them without answers for months. As they face challenges like workplace discrimination, government surveillance, and threats of violence, these young men and women pursue the same aspirations as their peers: opportunity, love, and fulfillment. Despite the difficulties they encounter, the story captures their resilience and hope. Moustafa Bayoumi's prose, both straightforward and poetic, invites readers to understand their experiences, reshaping perceptions of the past and future of America through their eyes.