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>> vii Acknowledgments This book was born collectively, through ongoing relations with friends, colleagues , and activists. Yet ultimately, I take full responsibility for the content and any errors on the pages that follow. First and foremost, I acknowledge with deep respect and gratitude each person who participated in my research. You shared your stories with me and trusted me to write them. This book began at the University of California–Davis in the 1990s. I was fortunate to work with Suad Joseph. She is a model of the feminist principle “lift while you climb.” She opened up many doors for me. Also at UC–Davis, I had the privilege to learn from Kent Ono, who always saw the best in me and encouraged me to publish my work. At UC–Davis I was met with colleagues , friends, and mentors with whom I developed the early foundations of an interdisciplinary, ethnic studies–based feminist ethnography: Shagufta Bidiwalla, Adrianna Clay, Rosa Linda Fregoso, Ileana Labergere, Smadar Lavie, Donald Moore, Sarah Projansky, Ella Maria Ray, and Zeina Zaatari. Arab and Arab American scholars, friends, and activists in California provided me with a sense of collective power throughout the process of research viii > ix Larry Lafontaine Stolkes, Emily Lawsin, Jeannette Lee, Sunnina Maira, Khaled Mattawa, Tiya Miles, Huli Milanese, Joe Namy, Dahlia Petrus, Eric Quesada, Andrea Ritchie, Dylan Rodriguez, Damon Salesa, Jenny Salesa, Therese Saliba, May Seikaly, Setsu Shigematsu, Andrew Shryock, Bill Sorro, and Cindy Weisner. My involvement in these organizations provided me with a sense of home and powerfully shaped the analyses and methods that frame this book: American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, San Francisco Chapter (ADC SF); Arab Movement of Women Arising for Justice (AMWAJ); Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC); Arab Women’s Solidarity Association , San Francisco (AWSA SF); Center for Political Education (CPE); Cyber AWSA; INCITE! Women of Color against Violence; Radical Arab Women’s Activist Network (RAWAN); and the Women of Color Resource Center (WCRC). Affiliations with Arab American communities in Ann Arbor and greater Detroit and with these organizations in Michigan sustained me during the writing process: Allied Media Project; American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC, Michigan); Arab American National Museum (AANM); Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS); Detroit Summer; and Palestine Office. More than ever, I owe deep thanks to Andrew McBride, Matthew Stiffler , and Lee Ann Wang, who extended themselves way beyond the call of duty as research assistants. I also thank Paul Abowd, Rabia Belt, Chris Finley, Angela Parker, and Kiri Sailiata. I am deeply indebted to Eman Desouky and Layla Feghali, who worked as assistants and interlocutors. Graduate student Mejdulene Shomali provided invaluable insight as I worked through the significance of queer studies to this project. My heartfelt appreciation goes to David Lobenstein for editing my work with exceptional precision and splendor and with deep respect for the stories I wanted to tell and the integrity of my ideas. I also thank these editors: Jane Cavolina, Christopher Hebert, and Heidi Newman. These individuals with NYU Press have made the process of publishing as efficient and enjoyable as it could ever be: Eric Zinner, editorial director ; series editors Matthew Jacobson and Werner Sollers; and editor Ciara McLaughlin. At the University of Michigan, I am grateful to the staff from the Department of Women’s Studies and the Program in American Culture. Research and writing were aided by these grants: Ford Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship, University of Michigan Vice Provost for Research Award, University of California Humanities Research Institute Fellowship, University x << acknowledgments of Michigan Rackham Faculty Research Grant, and University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender Research Grant. My extended family has stood by me every step of the way. My parents, brothers, and sister-in-law took on extra responsibilities so that I could write this book. I am grateful to my life partner, Atef Said, who has stayed up many nights discussing ideas with me and has provided me with unconditional love and support. My son, Kinan, who pinches me, hugs me, and massages my arms while I type filled me with the joy and happiness I needed to continue . Baby Nile, you are the light that kept me shining. Finally, I have been most inspired by the people who dedicate their lives to social justice and the unapologetic truth speakers and freedom fighters whose paths I follow. ...

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