44 pages • 1 hour read
Moustafa BayoumiHow Does It Feel to Be A Problem: Being Young and Arab in America (2008)
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2008A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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+yearsLexile Level
1010L