Jaser Alsharhan
03-26-13
P2
Ahh Revising Refugee...alliteration at its finest...
What would it mean to work with refugees?
It
would mean “Listening to their stories”
In comparison to my original
statement about refugees, I have come to “terms” (literally) with what it means
to be a refugee. When reading the UNHCR report entitled Protecting Refugees, I was astonished to learn that I have been
using many terms incorrectly for the past couple of years—both socially and
academically speaking. In my personal
opinion, it is imperative for individuals to utilize the correct term when labeling
some situation or someone. The vernacular of the UNHCR is fascinating because I
never knew that there were such terms which could accurately describe refugees or
other migrants at different points in their respective journeys.
For example, the asylum-seeker. This
term struck me as connoting a deeper understanding of a refugee’s persona and
confirmed desires: seeking recognition from a foreign land, seeking “material” and
protection from a foreign land. Next –
the economic migrant. This would be the term I would have normally used to
describe a refugee. However, the two
are completely separate entities. An economic migrant most definitely can
return to his or her homeland. Alternatively, a refugee cannot return home because of safety reasons. Before reading this report, I never truly
focused on “forcefulness” of the state of being a refugee. I never fully
understood the implications of leaving a country (in comparison to an
Internally Displaced Person) and seeking refuge in another because one was “forced”
from his or her own country entirely.
I would like to revise my original
definition of “refugee.” By adding the difference between a refugee and those
who are simply abandoning their land or home, I feel that I can finally
understand what it means to be a refugee. The fact of the matter is that a
refugee is forced from his or her
land in order to survive, he or she is victim or circumstance, not knowing what
path will lead where or how they will receive protection or shelter or love in
the near future. Refugee settlement is not about self-betterment; rather, it is
a term used to describe survival and carnal instinct.
With this new definition in mind, it
may take a little more than empathy when working with the refugees. Before
assisting those at the refugee center, I hope to learn more about coping methods
for varying ergonomic environments. If found that in any situation of
unfamiliarity, it is best to just listen. Everyone has a story—one just needs
to be willing to listen. Thus, I think there is much to learn about being
strong in the face of adversity, being able to adjust to new environments, and
being a good listener rather than speaker.
It
would mean “Listening to their stories”
Jaser
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