44 pages 1 hour read

Moustafa Bayoumi

How Does It Feel to Be A Problem: Being Young and Arab in America (2008)

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2008

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

How Does It Feel to Be a Problem by Moustafa Bayoumi follows the lives of seven young Arab-Americans in Brooklyn, exploring their struggles with discrimination and identity post-9/11. The narratives of Rasha, Sami, Yasmin, Akram, Lina, Omar, and Rami illustrate the harsh realities they endure, from wrongful imprisonment and military service dilemmas to educational hardships and professional challenges. Topics include incarceration, racism, and Islamophobia.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Moustafa Bayoumi's How Does It Feel to Be a Problem has garnered praise for its poignant exploration of Arab-American youth post-9/11, highlighting their struggles and resilience. Reviewers commend its powerful, empathetic narratives but note a lack of broader historical context. Some found the writing uneven, yet the book remains a crucial, thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read How Does It Feel to Be A Problem?

A reader who would enjoy Moustafa Bayoumi's How Does It Feel to Be A Problem is deeply interested in social justice, identity, and the Arab American experience. Comparable to Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me and James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time, this book speaks to those who seek personal narratives that illustrate broader societal issues.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1010L

Book Details

Topics

Sociology

History: Middle Eastern

History: U.S.

Themes

Relationships: Marriage

Genre

Education