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First of all, does being a diaspora effect if Lebanese people should open a business? A diaspora is when someone or a group of people leave their home country. Now as many Lebanese leave Lebanon and settle all around the world their actions change. They are hit with negative stereotypes from their new country. In order to overcome these stereotypes, they try to prove that they are good citizens. Often times they would open business to show the public that they are helping the community. However as much as they try to assimilate to their new country, they miss they smell of spices and gasoline in the air from Lebanon. This is another reason why they open business in order attract Lebanese community with the comforting smell of cumin and zaatar. Also, many of these immigrants carry their baggage from Lebanon to their new countries. Business ownership is rooted deep in Lebanese culture. Usually when Lebanese create new business in other countries it’s often related to their past life in Lebanon. Take for example Mohammed Hage owner of Lufa Farms, a roof top green-house company in Montreal. The idea of company dates back to his childhood in Lebanon when he was working in the field growing vegetables for the family. Now in Montreal he’s apart of Canadian culture and at the same time he’s created a Lebanese community around his business. Finally, traditionally Lebanese people always have an eye for business and when they arrive to a new country they try to fit in while keeping their roots alive.
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October of 2019 tensions and protest in Lebanon have been escalating and now the whole world is protesting. Montreal is having a protest, but I couldn’t go see it. So instead I check on all socially media to see what’s happening. What I saw was so heartwarming. Lebanese people of all religion together swarming the streets in unity. Many people carried drums as they played music, and everyone danced to the beat. I could just imagine my heart pumping at the beat of the drum while I dabke to the beat. My people are finally unified and are fighting for those who are struggling in Lebanon. From the videos online, everyone was so in sink, you could hear it the tone of their voice that they so frustrated but at the same time excited because they know that Lebanon will see the light again.
Sources:
“A Tale of Two Traders; The Lebanese Diaspora.” The Economist, no. 8827, 2013, p. 68. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.322304320&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Abdelhady, Dalia. The Lebanese Diaspora : The Arab Immigrant Experience in Montreal, New York, and Paris. NYU Press, 2011. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=386947&site=eds-live&scope=site.
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