More than a Number: The Connection between the Diaspora & the Homeland for Midwestern Palestinians

Bridgeview, Illinois—home to the largest Palestinian population in the United States, with over 18,000 residents in the area affectionately known as Little Palestine—stands as a vibrant center of diasporic life and memory. This program explores the experiences of Palestinians across the broader Chicagoland area and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where many have also settled, creating interconnected Midwestern diasporas only a short two-hour drive apart.

More Than A Number is a multimedia exhibition featuring portraits and personal narratives of Palestinians in the diaspora. Each portrait is accompanied by a brief caption capturing memories, aspirations, and reflections on home, displacement, and belonging. Together, they offer an intimate look into the resilience and humanity of Palestinians—reminding us that they are not merely statistics or headlines, but individuals with complex lives and enduring ties to their homeland.

This presentation delves into the themes of collective memory, belonging, and tetherment to the land, inviting audiences to consider how identity and memory are preserved across distance. The session includes a guided walkthrough of the exhibition’s images and narratives, offering space for dialogue on what it means to live—and remember—in the diaspora.

This presentation aligns with the Illinois America 250 Commission's theme “We the People.” This theme invites us to explore ideas of who has been included and who has been left out of the nation’s promise, as well as how people from all backgrounds have shaped and reshaped what it means to be part of “the people.” The Illinois America 250 Commission's goals are to uplift local stories, places, and programs; build pride; and showcase how Illinois brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life.