Another Arabesque: Syrian-Lebanese Ethnicity in Neoliberal Brazil

231 Pages·2007·0.68 MB·English

by  John Tofik Karam

ANOTHER ARABESQUE

A N O T H E R
A R A B E S Q U E
(cid:2)
Syrian–Lebanese Ethnicity
in Neoliberal Brazil
(cid:2)
J T K
OHN OFIK ARAM
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Philadelphia
Temple University Press
1601 North Broad Street
Philadelphia PA 19122
www.temple.edu/tempress
Copyright © 2007 by Temple University
All rights reserved
Published 2007
Printed in the United States ofAmerica
The paper used in this publication meets the requirements
ofthe American National Standard for Information Sciences—
Permanence ofPaper for Printed Library Materials,ANSI Z39.48-1992
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Karam,John Tofik.
Another arabesque :Syrian–Lebanese ethnicity in neoliberal Brazil /
John Tofik Karam.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 13:978-1-59213-539-4 ISBN 10:1-59213-539-0 (hardcover :alk.paper)
ISBN 13:978-1-59213-540-0 ISBN 10:1-59213-540-4 (pbk.:alk.paper)
1. Lebanese—Ethnic identity—Brazil. 2. Syrians—Ethnic identity—Brazil.
3. Ethnicity—Economic aspects—Brazil. 4. Ethnicity—Social aspects—Brazil.
5. Brazil—Civilization—Arabic influences. I. Title.
F2659.L42K37 2007
305.892'75692081—dc22 2006015346
2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1
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To the memory ofmy grandmother,Tamar Ghosn Sfeir,
meus olhos.
To the memory ofmy grandfather,Tofik Sfeir,
ya ‘aiuni.
To my mother,Amelia Therese Karam,
ya ruhi.
To my father,Maron Joseph Karam,
ya ‘albi.

CONTENTS
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Acknowledgments • ix
INTRODUCTION • The Politics of Privilege • 1
PART ONE
Imagining Political Economy
ONE • Pariahs to Partners in the Export Nation • 23
TWO • Eth(n)ics and Transparent State Reform • 46
PART TWO
Remodeling the Nationalist Order
THREE • Turcos in the Market Model of Racial Democracy • 71
FOUR • Mixing Christians,Cloning Muslims • 95
PART THREE
Marketing Ethnic Culture
FIVE • Ethnic Reappropriation in the Country Club Circuit • 121
SIX •Air Turbulence in Homeland Tourism • 144
viii CONTENTS
CONCLUSION • In Secure Futures:Arabness,
Neoliberalism,and Brazil • 166
Notes • 177
References • 195
Index • 209
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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W
HILE VISITING LEBANESE RELATIVES in Rio de Janeiro in 1992,
my brother and I accompanied our Brazilian-born cousin to a
local arts-and-crafts fair.Among tourists and national artisans,
my brother set his eyes on an elaborate bottle decorated with fake stones.
With a client in his midst,the vendor declared,“Forty thousand cruzeiros.”
Appalled at the inflated price, my cousin and I countered that it was not
worth more than twenty.Lowering his initial offer by almost half,the dealer
grew impatient as I demanded another descontinho(little discount).“Twenty
or nothing,”I repeated.Tired of my haggling,the vendor met my demands
but then commented to me,“You don’t have the face of a Brazilian.You’re
turco[Turk]!”He proceeded to raise his clenched fist into the air to signify
my tightfisted character, concluding, in a tone of defeat,“Pão duro! [fig.,
cheapskate].”Walking away from the successful transaction,we all laughed.
Our cousin was afforded free entertainment. My brother acquired the
uniquely decorated bottle. And, as a third-generation Lebanese American
from upstate New York,I received my first lesson in being recognized as Arab
in Brazil,at no further cost.
Notwithstanding this penchant for bargaining associated with Arabs in
Brazil, I have incurred innumerable debts in the almost fifteen years that
havepassed since that exchange.To John Burdick,Arlene Dávila,Jeff Lesser,
Karin Rosemblatt,Caroline Tauxe,and Hans Buechler,I am indebted for the
countless number ofdetailed commentaries and critiques ofwhat began as a
dissertation project at Syracuse University.I can only hope that this book is