What, So What, Now What

My Experience in Professor Leake's Honors Writing 1733 Class

All of us students enrolled in Professor Leake's Honors Writing class have put in blood, sweat, and tears into this class for one reason; we were inspired by the opportunity to change the world. Though there are only a handful of us, I think I speak for all of my peers when I say that we still dream of a perfect world for refugees. Looking back at the obstacles life has thrown at me, I can safely say that they are nowhere near as damaging as those confronting refugees on a daily basis. However, the sad realization I have come to is that I would truly know nothing about the lives of refugees had I not taken this class. It is a shame. I never once imagined a life in which young children are being separated from their families. Indeed, even as these families are separated, they receive little to no help while stranded in refugee camps. Those "fortunate" enough to make it to America are engulfed by a new culture that makes little to no sense. As Dave Eggers emphasized in What is the What, many refugees, upon relocation, miss "all of Africa... [and its] yellow nothingness" (Eggers 7). With all of the class discussions and readings assigned, it amazes me that refugees are not getting the attention they deserve. Certainly, after each of my volunteering sessions at the ACC, I always end up asking myself why this group has been inflicted with such hatred, violence, and poverty. It is mind-boggling.

Although this is an important question for us to ask, I think that the biggest thing I have taken away from this class is that I can make a difference. Up until now, I have always questioned how much of a impact I can make by myself in this world. After all, there are millions of people that are in dire need of assistance. Yet, my volunteering experience at the ACC has taught me otherwise. This service learning component of the class was integral in my understanding that I can change the world one step at a time. As long as I am determined and focused on a goal, positive change will incur. While volunteering at the ACC, I distinctly remember meeting two young men from Africa. They had just arrived in Denver and could barely speak English. After spending two hours helping them fill out different job applications, the smiles on their faces portrayed the difference I had already made in this world. The next week, I saw these boys again. They came up to me and profusely thanked me for my help. They had received several job opportunities. Hence, because of this class and the volunteering accompanied, I now know that I can make an impact anywhere and everywhere I go.

We cannot stop here. Though each of us has made a large impact on the refugee community, this is not enough reason for us to quit. Personally, I will make an effort to volunteer at the ACC next year, as it is very important that we continue to work with Melissa Theesen and the other employees. With this, we can make an even longer lasting difference in this world. We must also make sure that the University of Denver continues this class next year. Although Professor Leake is leaving, I am sure that there is another professor that would be more than willing to teach a course tied with the ACC. Honestly, offering this service learning class once is not enough. As I have learned from experience with working with families in Cambodia inflicted with HIV/AIDS, a sustained relationship is needed to make a real difference in a group. Thus, we must all strive to stay connected with the ACC to make a real impact on refugees across the world.

Not only has my outlook on life changed, but so have my thoughts on writing. Never have I enrolled in a class where writing has been used to change the lives of others. I am so used to writing academic papers that, at the surface, seem to have no value. Conversely, Professor Leake never assigned papers like this. Instead, all of the writing had a true purpose. This distinctly reminds me of an article I read a week ago by Erik Gifford. Titled "Writing can be Fun," the article emphasizes that forced writing can "put [students] off the idea of writing" (Gifford). However, the author stresses that, in his experience, having students write about something that gives them pleasure makes "everything suddenly much better [and more fun]" (Gifford). In fact, for the first time in years, I have actually enjoyed coming to a writing based class. This is all because I have learned that writing can be fun and productive at the same time. A perfect example of this is the employment/volunteer guide. Though it required a lot of teamwork and time outside of class, I had a blast working with my fellow classmates. It is because of this that I will look to enroll into more writing classes in the future.

My eyes are now open. I have volunteered with several different organization, including numerous hospitals and libraries. Nonetheless, I have never been as impacted through service as I currently am. The many lessons I have taken from this class will be of great use to me, especially with my future aspirations of being a doctor. It also helps that I have grown up to believe that everyone has a purpose in this world. Whether its teaching others or saving lives, everyone has a role to fill in society. Personally, I am on the pre-med track because I believe that my calling in this world is to help others. With my current understanding that one person can indeed change the world, I am more excited than ever to become a licensed doctor. The very fact that a writing class, and not a science class, has given me this revelation speaks volumes about this class. I thank you, Professor Leake, for making this service class enjoyable, worthwhile, and, ultimately, wonderful.

Works Cited

Eggers, Dave. What Is the What. London: Hamilton, 2006. Print.

Gifford, Erik. "Writing can be Fun." n. page. Web. 29 May. 2013. <Gifford, Erik. "Writing can be Fun." n. page. Print. .>.

Reflection Blog

In my eyes, the ACC project was a huge  success. I firmly believe that each and every one of us were important in the final creation of the guide.

Personally, I was put on two teams. On one team, I worked with Faith and Lexi in order to format the guide. Moreover, we put together the Burmese backgrounder. The three of us worked very well together, coordinating positions and roles outside of class. Particularly, I helped put together specific parts of the guide, such as the volunteer portion. I also helped to put together loose ends, specifically editing the final version of the project for major problems. Coordinating with other groups was also a major job of mine, as I notified my group of when classmates had uploaded revised documents. With the Burmese backgrounder, I made sure that none of the group members used the same sources. Additionally, I heavily researched the history behind the Burmese refugees to put this information into the overall guide.

On my second team, I was grouped with Jack F. and Taylor. Our group was told to interview refugees. So far, I was the member who had success interviewing a refugee. As the class knows, I interviewed Georgette. With this interview and the data gathered from it, we were able to hear Georgette's amazing personal story that ended up being used in a "Spotlight" in the guide. This brought a new dimension to the guide as a whole, as we were able to portray to employers how jobs can turn around refugees' lives.  

The two teams I was a part of taught me two different things. My first team taught me that teamwork can work very well if all of the team members are on the same page. Further, having members that are committed to the end goal (in our case, helping refugees) can lead to success. However my second team also taught me that life is not always perfect. Taylor and Jack F. both have had problems with contacting their refugees. I can tell you that these two are extremely dedicated to helping refugees. However, circumstances that they could not control have hurt the amount of interviews our group currently has.

In addition, I firmly believe that after Lexi, Faith, and I are done putting the finishing touches on the guide, this project will be a huge success. If you look through the guide, you will notice that the class did an amazing job writing to its target audience, volunteers and employers. We made sure to highlight the benefits of helping refugees not only by giving them a sustainable income, but also by explaining the benefits of volunteering at the ACC. Because of all of the information the guide has, it should be an invaluable source for years to come.

I am very sad to be writing my last blog post for this class. This service learning class has been great, and I really hope that the department sticks with a writing class that helps the ACC. It truly is the right thing to do. Honestly, for one of the few times, I was able to volunteer without thinking of putting this service on a resume. Instead, I looked at this class and the final project as a means of helping out a group less fortunate than myself. As one can imagine, this has been an eye opening experience. However, none of this could have been done without my fellow class mates and Dr. Leake. Thanks for making this class and the service accompanied a special experience I will never forget. 

Interview with Georgette

I came into the interview with no idea of what to expect. However, as soon as I walked into the ACC, I was blown away by the beautiful lady I was about to interview. Even with her gorgeous smile and scintillating blue dress, Georgette suffered greatly in her transition from the Congo to Colorado.

Raza: Hi, my name is Raza and I will be asking you a series of questions on your experience as a refugee. Let me remind you of why I am interviewing you. My class at the University of Denver is putting together a guide for employers and volunteers at the ACC to give these groups an idea of what to expect with refugees. On the employers side, we are trying to convince employers to hire refugees, since refugees have a tough time getting jobs. By doing interviews with diverse people like you, we can try to gather information to put into this guide.

Georgette: Ok. Yeah, many of us are working at home and do not know much about the process of getting a job... Especially the first time. Sometimes language was difficult.

Raza: Exactly. So, why don't you go ahead and tell me your background story. Where are you from? How did you get there?

Georgette: About myself? (laughter). Ok, I'm Georgette. I come from Congo. I remember that I had a good life before everything was coming. My father was a good guy. He wasn't there, but a good guy. I was living with my big family. However, after the fight, I was separated with my family. I can probably say forever, but a long time...

(Interview gets interrupted by ACC employee)

Raza: So you were saying that there was a fight. What was that about?

Georgette: Politics. I do not know what it was called, but the first one was October 1996. The big Massac.

Raza: Ok, so when did you come here?

Georgette: I left my country to another in Africa, to a capital. I was taken away from my family. First I was a refugee in the capital. In the capital you do not have family, or anybody. It was difficult for us. We took the boat to get there. We slept in the boat. Can you imagine that? It took like one month.  Yes. Then a refugee program gave us some food in the camp while we were there. That's why I think that this was not a life for a young girl. I had to work there in a restaurant and then ended up getting pregnant.

Raza: And this was all in the refugee camps?

Georgette: Yes. It was not an easy life. I was there for five years. I was also far from family and could not complete my school.

Raza: Was this college or high school or...

Georgette: High school.

Raza: So were you in high school in the refugee camps or back home?

Georgette: In Congo.

Raza: So how long have you been in America for?

Georgette: The program took us to the United States. We have been here for four and a half years.

Raza: Do you have any family here with you? Are you by yourself?

Georgette: No, just me and my daughter. I really am so happy for her. Maybe she won't have this terrible life. Maybe one day she will understand where she has come from.

Raza: Ok. In these five years here, what jobs have you had?

Georgette: If you don't speak English, it isn't easy.... Housekeeping. I was housekeeping for three years. But now maybe I can get training for care giving and food safety.

Raza: But, it seems like your English is great now!

Georgette: (laughter). But I still have an accent.  People look at me weird.

Raza: I guess being immersed in the culture has helped with your English?

Georgette: Yeah, and I never got a chance to take classes in English. When I came here, my daughter was a little baby. So I had to stay home. But, my English is better. Just talking to people and wanting to meet people helps. But, just going to class for six months, I do not have a chance. And I now I have had opportunities, but when you have a baby, it is tough.

Raza: Ok, how many of those housekeeping jobs have you had? 1?

Georgette: No, no.... I have had 12 housekeeping jobs. But in different places.

Raza: And have you been in Colorado these past years, or have you moved states?

Georgette: I tried to move one time to New Jersey for 6 months. I went because I met one family that told me to come visit. I came there, and it was a bad life. So I came back. This was in 2010.

Raza: What do you think is the most beneficial thing you have done to get these housekeeping jobs and other jobs that you have now?

Georgette: I wish I had a better job than housekeeping. It is not easy.... It is very hard. My dream was to be a nurse one day because  I had taken a medical class in high school.

Raza: And do you think you'll be a nurse over here?

Georgette: Yes. Now my daughter is growing up, so I can go to school. It will be more flexible.

Raza: How old is your daughter?

Georgette: She will be five after tomorrow!

Raza: Oh, wow! Great. Moving on, what would you say was the best thing you did in order to get your first job here in this new environment.

Georgette: Hmm, my first job. At the time I came, you know, everyone meets someone to  help here. I met this guy in my apartment who got me my first job. It was a hotel in Bloomfield. I had to pay for my rent as I took care of everything myself.

Raza: Ok, so what specific advice would you give a refugee who has just gotten here to get a job?

Georgette: Be strong. I always tell her (pointing to her friend who was sitting in a corner) to try to get past all of the tough situations. I mean, they help us... but they do not have a lot of money. They do their best... It can be very crazy without a heart.

Raza: Great point. What was the hardest thing you have faced here as far as employment is concerned.

Georgette: The first one was the language barrier. The second one, you know, is feeling afraid of the big city an different people you meet.

Raza: For the hardest part of getting a job here, I guess you would say the language barrier and cultural problems?

Georgette: Yeah... yeah

Raza: Ok, and how would you say the Congo is different than here, culturally?

Georgette: I was a child, you know. I stayed with my parents and went to school. You change lives very fast. I have to take care of myself now and my daughter. That is me. I do not have anybody.

Raza: You said you want to be a nurse in the future. How will you go about getting that job?

Georgette: The first thing for me is going back to school. My English is going to be better. I am going to strive to go back to class. I will go to the GED class and then to college. I now it will take me more years, but, after I get my certificate, it is easy to get a job. The personality comes first with this job. It is not about the money. You have to have the heart.

Raza: And you have this heart?

Georgette: Yes, I can say that. I have already practiced this when I went to school.

Raza: Before coming to America, what was your view of it?

Georgette: I never thought of America. I never dreamed of it. I was thinking, maybe, to come visit. But why? What family do I have?

Raza: Ok, how is working in America different than working in Central Africa.

Georgette: They have respect for me (over here). Over there, they give you work and pay you small money. They can abuse you and say "you come here." Customers can just touch you. There is something good over here. Back there, they can put their hands on you. Because they have a big personality or are soldiers. You can't talk. They slap you, hit you. You just do a job for small money.

Raza: Wow... we are almost done. Just a couple of more questions. What is your favorite hobby?

Georgette: To see my daughter. I love it when she says, "Mom, I love you."

Raza: Alright. And what was your best experience in America?

Georgette: Me working hard and with respect.

Raza: Ok, what has been your best job while in America?

Georgette: (laughter). No matter where I go, I always have a "best job." I always meet people. They are so nice. I have never had a bad job. All of the people are always very friendly at the hotels.

Raza: Last question. What are your hopes for your daughter?

Georgette: To finish her education. To be someone. I always tell her, "promise me to be someone."

Raza: Alright, great! I think I have everything I need. Thanks. I really appreciate it.

Georgette: No problem. Thank you!

The interview process was amazing. For the first time, I was actually able to have a conversation with a refugee who has had success in America. Further, Georgette was absolutely great. Her passion and optimism made me feel happy for the rest of the day. It is absolutely amazing how refugees like Georgette can remain enthusiastic in the conditions presented to them daily.

As far as the benefits of interviews, I believe that they can give great insight into the lives of refugees for researchers, writers, and readers. This is due to the personal experiences that are portrayed through interviews. However, I believe that interviews have the greatest value for those that are personally conducting the interview. This is because interviewers get the true experience straight from the interviewee. On the other hand, if the interview is changed or not transcribed correctly, readers and researchers may not get the correct information and facts that were originally presented.

Burma Backgrounder

Burma Backgrounder-Faith, Raza, and Lexi

Basic Context of Burmese Refugees

There are hundreds of thousands of Burmese refugees that flee from Burma every year. Faced with persecution everywhere they turn, they have no option but to hide and run away from horrors in their home. Living conditions in refugee camps these Burmese refugees are also terrible, with little water and food to pass around. In fact, families live in houses made of bamboo that are demolished on a daily basis.

Although Burma celebrated its independence in 1948, many ethnic groups, such as the Karen ethnic group (the largest source of refugees), wanted their own states. However, Burma has refused to give these various groups their independence, resulting in violence to this day. Additionally, religious persecution has been a problem, especially for the Karen ethnic group. While most of Burma is affiliated with Buddhism, the people of the Karen group are predominantly Christian. This has caused high tensions between these groups, resulting in bloodshed.

With all of this discrimination, it is understandable why some citizens of Burma feel the need to relocate to foreign countries. After relocating, they face many obstacles and challenges, namely the difficulty in assimilating into the culture menacingly engulfing them. Nonetheless, this group overcomes these barriers through hard work and determination.

 Burmese Refugee Resettlement: The Importance of Community

            Burmese refugees have been resettling in America in large numbers in recent years. The largest population of Burmese refugees resides in St. Paul Minnesota.  This area is very successful in resettling these refugees.  The success of the refugees in St. Paul is largely attributed to the existing populations of Burmese refugees living there.  This means that newly arriving refugees already have a strong community of very similar people to form immediate connections with.  Refugees are able to learn from one another and encourage each other along the way.

Burmese Refugee Resettlement: Employment

            One of the primary struggles Burmese refugees face upon arrival in America is finding employment.  Most Burmese refugees feel that their lack of English skills has prevented them from being able to find jobs in America or finding jobs that allow them to financially support their family.  Even when the Burmese are able to find jobs, they are often disappointed at the level of job they are able to attain, as they are often forced to take entry-level and minimum-wage jobs. They often experience disillusionment as they face the reality of living in America with the vision they had of America before they resettled.

Mental Health of Burmese Refugees

Mental health is a pressing issue in people of all backgrounds and is most often not given the attention that it needs in order to be properly dealt with. This is especially true in victims of trauma, especially in refugees. However, cultural differences between refugees (in this case the Burmese) and their caseworkers in their country of asylum can result in significant problems when attempting to deal with symptoms like flashbacks, persistent and intrusive troubling thoughts, trouble sleeping, and even suicidal behavior. In order to help a refugee most effectively, it is important to take note of the factors in their lives that are most pertinent to their mental health, and their attitudes towards mental health in general and seeking counseling. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry conducted a study of Burmese refugees seeking asylum and eventual resettlement in Australia in order to determine what factors best predicted their mental health. Interestingly enough, it was not the refugees’ traumatic past but rather their worries about living in their resettlement country, legal issues, and the state of their family back home that were the greatest factors in the state of their mental health. The implication for this is primarily for caseworkers working with Burmese refugees and psychologists and/or counselors that may be working with them. When assessing a Burmese refugee’s mental health status or attempting “talk therapy”, it is important to focus more heavily on their life in the asylum country rather than focusing too much on the trauma from their home country, as the former is more relevant to their ongoing health.

Additionally, it is important to understand Burmese attitudes towards mental healthcare in general in order to assist them in dealing with any troubling behaviors that might be observed while they are in their country of resettlement. The New Internationalist published an article by Nick Harvey about the treatment of Burmese refugees dealing with persistent and troubling psychopathological symptoms. He suggested that Western methods of psychological care are not always relevant to the Burmese experience. This is due to two major factors-the first being that common Western labels for mental health issues don’t always fit seemingly similar conditions in the Burmese, and that methods of therapy generally employed by Western practitioners tend to not be helpful. An example of Western labels not fitting the Burmese refugee experience is that of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The refugee experience, while in their country of origin, refugee camps, and even their resettlement camps is one of ongoing trauma rather than the experience of an isolated trauma and then the recovery. In this case, the model doesn’t fit and ought to be re-evaluated for relevance. Additionally, refugees tend to associate counseling and “talk therapy” as needed for only those suffering from full psychosis or breakdowns. They don’t view mental health on a spectrum as Western psychologists tend to, and therefore don’t see the need to go to therapy. For that reason, it is more effective to simply have conversations with Burmese refugees and avoid labeling it as counseling to avoid the negative connotations that are associated with counseling.

Selected Sources

1.     Mitschke, Diane B., Aaron E Mitsche, Holli M. Slater and Consoler Teboh. “Uncovering Health and Wellness Needs of Resettled Karen Refugees from Burma”. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 21:5 (2011): 490-501. Web. 11 May 2013.

2.     "UNHCR Quick Fact Sheet: Burmese Resettlement from Tham Hin Camp in Thailand." UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency. (2007): 1-4. Print. <http://www.lcfsrefugees.blogs.com/cultural_descriptions/UNHCR Quick Fact Sheet -- Burmese.pdf>.

3.     Harvey, Nick. "Our Trauma Is Not Your Trauma." New Internationalist 452 (2012): 24-25. Academic Search Premier. Web. 3 May 2013.

4.     Mary Asic-Kobe, et al. "Mental Health Of Newly Arrived Burmese Refugees In Australia: Contributions Of Pre-Migration And Post-Migration Experience." Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Psychiatry 45.4 (2011): 299-307. Academic Search Premier. Web. 3 May 2013.

5.     Mitschke, Diane B., Aaron E Mitsche, Holli M. Slater and Consoler Teboh. “Uncovering Health and Wellness Needs of Resettled Karen Refugees from Burma”. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 21:5 (2011): 490-501. Web. 1 May 2013. 

6.     Harkins, Benjamin. “Beyond “Temporary Shelter”: A Case Study of Karen Refugee Resettlement in St. Paul, Minnesota”.  Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies. 10:2 (2012): 184-203. Web. 1 May 2013. 

P11

These documents were very insightful in describing the plight of refugees. I personally find it extremely interesting that refugees must put in hundreds of hours during the ACC's pre-employment program before being eligible for a job. I had absolutely no idea that refugees must go through these programs before going out into the workforce. Again, these documents remind me of the amount of work and hardships refugees must go through while in America. If these documents have impacted me after I have spent weeks talking about refugees, I strongly believe that they would also positively impact future employers and volunteers.

Overall, I think that these documents do an amazing job advertising the positives of refugees (and, not surprisingly, I found no faults in both the Backgrounder and the Guide). As an employer, I would obviously be very impressed with the work the ACC does in preparing this group for the workforce. From the pre-employment training to the efforts the employment center puts forth in matching refugees for job openings, I trust employers would be very excited to hire these men and women. The very fact that the ACC highlights the tax breaks employers receive by hiring refugees puts the icing on the cake.

I also love that the Backgrounder highlights the problems refugees have while they are resettling in America. Though common sense would tell you that this would paint a negative picture of refugees, I think that it makes the Backgrounder more realistic. Moreover, it is the fact that the Backgrounder emphasizes the strategies refugees can use to overcome these problems that the reader gets a sense that these problems are only temporary. Hence, this communicates that employers should be more than willing to take a chance on employing a refugee.

However, I noticed that these readings were not targeted very well to volunteers. One suggestion I have is to add the fact that refugees come to America not only to evade persecution, but to also give their families a better education and life. This has been obvious to me since volunteering at the ACC and going to the Voice of Refugees event. To do this, I would incorporate personal stories into the Backgrounder and the Guide. By doing so, not only will volunteers be more excited to help out a group that they can personally relate to, but employers will also be more inclined to hire this group.

Finally, for our final project, I would definitely have a section where we can stress all of the tangible benefits employers receive by hiring refugees. In addition, I would talk about the strong characteristics refugees come to America with. This is critical to convince employers that refugees are great options for employment. Further, it is integral that we give examples of true refugee stories, thereby connecting with the employers personally. This is guaranteed to make employers  more inclined to hire refugees. Finally, we must mention that the reason refugees are here in America is not necessarily for their own personal growth, but to better the lives of relatives. This will tell employers that by hiring one person, they are affecting several lives. 

Annotated Bibliography

Barker, D. (2012, Jun 14). Refugees from burma new faces in morgan county. The Fort Morgan Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1020464029?accountid=14608

In this article, the author looks into the lives of Burmese refugees in Morgan Country (in America). This article can be, potentially, very useful for our project as it will give us concrete research done with this group and their employment at a beef plant. Further, this article highlights the main resettlement areas for these refugees.

Ganjanakhundee, S. (2011, Sep 12). Burma easing refugee, assistance pressures, says diplomat. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/888380178?accountid=14608

This article primarily talks about the Burmese refugees and their opportunities back home. The author emphasizes that the government of Burma has offered refugees employment if they were to come back home. However, many still choose to remain in the US, where they work menial jobs. This, as one can tell, can relate to our employment project very well!

Larkin, Emma. "Burma's Forgotten Refugees." Bulletin Of The Atomic Scientists 63.6 (2007): 32-39. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 May 2013

Larkin's academic work brings to attention the plight of the Rohingya People, a specific group of Burmese refugees. Here, she brings up their struggle in Bangladesh and the troubles they have gone through while in the horrid refugee camps. Moreover, she highlights how this group has yet to find a place to call home, due to social and employment issues.

Refugee facts and employment information. (2008, Mar 12). Deseret News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/351628294?accountid=14608

Though this is a short article, this can be very beneficial in our research. The main point made in this article is the process for refugees to be employed in America. This includes the different forms necessary and the benefits employers receive for employing refugees. As a side note, this read is targeted for Utah.

Brees, I. (2010). Burden or boon: The impact of burmese refugees on thailand. The Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations, 11(1), 35-47. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/755497887?accountid=14608

This final read is critical to our research. Though this article does not talk about the employment of refugees, it does highlight the tension between Burmese refugees and their host countries. In fact, the main point the article makes is that the host countries are affected politically, environmentally, and economically because of the refugees.

Extended Essay Final

Pain and Hope

Tear drops stain their cheeks. Their eyes are red and puffy. The sobbing makes it certain that they are suffering. Dazed, children walk around with no sense of direction or purpose, while their mothers shriek cries of anguish that bounce off the walls. This is the typical view that most people have of refugees. Indeed, these feelings of anguish are true for some refugees, as they are alienated in society and have no place to call home. They also face heavy persecution everywhere they turn. From their skin color to their culture, this group is looked down upon as uncivilized and unfit for this world. However, most refugees refuse to give up when presented with these adversities and, instead, fight for everything they believe in. By doing so, they are able to preach their stories of optimism and success to the rest of the world. However, in order to narrate these compelling refugee stories, the authors must incorporate the themes of obstacles, optimism, humility, and selflessness, thereby presenting the world with a guide of how to live life successfully.

All of the refugee stories presented in class encompass the plight of refugees, namely the problems with assimilating into American culture. This singlehandedly sparks the initial pain and suffering newly resettled refugee families endure. Though many refugees come to America with the hopes of living in a "promised land" of equal opportunities, they quickly come to the conclusion that America is far different than advertised. This preconceived notion that life in America will be full of joy and free of sorrow is negated when refugees realize that they moved from "war, famine, and refugee camps to another, less obvious, state of 'war' and abandonment: the neoliberal state that turns against its most vulnerable residents" (Peak 29). This understanding is apparent in Of Beetles and Angels, a story about a family that, for a majority of the book, fails to find its true identity in America. Centered around Mawi Asgedom, the story introduces the reader to a life unfathomed to most of us. Throughout the book, Asgedom and his brother are bullied by other students at their school, thereby making it difficult for their family to assimilate into the new culture overwhelmingly engulfing them. This trouble is clearly portrayed when Asgedom's parents repeatedly emphasize that they "are the poorest in the land...[and] will have to work backbreaking jobs [while] never fully understanding [their] rights" (Asgedom 33). These obstacles facing refugees create deep feelings of isolation in America that are exacerbated by this group's longing to go back home. From problems with employment to issues fitting in socially, these people are constantly found in an environment of crushing negativity. Further, as Eggers eloquently portrayed in the novel What it the What, Valentino Deng began to miss "all of Africa... [and] the yellow nothingness of Ethiopia" (Eggers 7) while being mercilessly beaten by Michael in Atlanta. The very fact that refugees like Deng would rather go back to their home countries that are being torn apart by war and persecution emphasizes the struggle that this group goes through after relocating to foreign countries. With both of these accounts of refugee stories, the general supposition of the cultural incompatibilities refugees encounter is evident and brought to attention.

Though the superficial reason for writing refugee stories is to present the challenges refugees battle with daily, these stories are also written to highlight the strength and optimism of this oppressed group. Namely, these authors stress the idea that refugees forgive but never forget, thus portraying their characteristic of ressentiment. In the expert from Translating Pain, Hron eloquently explains how ressentiment can be a positive aspect of a refugee's life, as it "urges individuals to identify the sources of their resentment and to work against them in a vehement 'no'" (Hron 55). Through this, Hron stresses that immigrants are put in a "continuous process of transformation and of overcoming" (Hron 56) their unique problems, thereby growing and blossoming into better individuals. Essentially, refugees use their negative experiences to push themselves to be the best they can be by using ressentiment. Consequently, they reach heights never imagined. This is a staple of many refugee stories. For example, in Angels and Beetles, Asgedom loses two of his best friends from drunk driving, his father and his brother. However, he never revolts at society directly, but "manifests [himself] in 'clever' strategies, which include a perfect understanding of how to keep silent, how not to forget, [and] how to wait" (Hron 55). By doing so, he funnels his anger into excelling at academics. It is certainly with this skill of ressentiment that Asgedom is able to reach the pinnacle of success once he fulfills his "parent's dreams... [of] earning [his] scholarship and graduating" (Asgedom 134) from Harvard, while also writing a book that, years after its publication, is still being read. Yet, had Asgedom never forgiven society, he would not be in the  triumphant position he is in  today as a liaison for spreading awareness of refugees across the world. Moreover, the theme of forgiveness is rich in What is the What. Although Michael, a child, physically abuses and harasses Deng throughout the reading, Deng, to the surprise of the reader, comments on how his "fondness of [Michael] grows... and forgiveness fumbles back into [his heart]" (Eggers 109). Though young Michael treats Deng mercilessly, Deng has the ability to continually forgive him. Although he decides to run away from the horrors he suffers from because of the robbers, Eggers makes a point to note that Deng will "reach upward [and] will attempt to do better" (Eggers 533) in the future by being more cognizant of his surroundings. Through this powerful ending, even Deng's sense of ressentiment stays strong at the end of the novel as he maturely puts his anger and energy into learning and growing into a more complete human. Like Asgedom, without this tough skin, Deng would not be able to spread his story as a representative of harmed refugees. Without a doubt, it is this distinctive quality of refugees that continually give this group a way to ignore harassment, as they are able to harness the resulting anger into productive results.

Though ressentiment is integral in telling a refugee story, humility is just as important. Very few people possess this characteristic, especially in America.  Nevertheless, as evident in the film God Grew Tired of Us, refugees get their strong values of humbleness through their upbringing and culture they grow up in. In What is the What, Eggers powerfully states that Deng works for "$5 or $6 an hour... which [seems] like a great deal of money [to him]" (Eggers 514). It is amazing what this unique group puts up with to have a life of freedom and peace. Not only do they work menial jobs that no one wants, but they also do these jobs with a smile on their faces. This is the same mentality I noticed while volunteering at the ACC. During my second volunteering session, I was told to step into the employment director's room. I ended up walking right into a meeting involving a women who had just come from Africa. Essentially, the employment center was trying to get her a job at a small, local hotel near the highway as a cleaning lady. Though most Americans would ignore the mere thought of a job like this, she was more than willing to accept it. I still recall with fondness the large and genuine smile that erupted on her face when she found out that she had received the position. The Lost Boys were another group that were ecstatic to work at places like McDonald's, as portrayed in God Grew Tired of Us. This group never complained about the countless hours they had to study and work for throughout their first years in America. Instead, they put in the hard work with the utmost level of respect and humility that I have ever encountered in my life. Accordingly, this high level of morale and modesty are key factors in narrating a complete refugee story.

Finally, the theme of selflessness is quite important in refugee stories, as it is this that breeds humility. As a matter of fact, it is because of selflessness that refugees put up with the constant disapproval they run into after relocating to foreign countries. In the Voices of Refugees event, our writing class was introduced to the Odari family. When the older family members were asked why they had moved to America from their home in Bhutan, they replied that they had moved to give their children a better education and life. With this, I realized that many refugees do not move for themselves, but for the rest of their families. Even with the large language barrier these elder men have experienced in America, they still refuse to move back to Bhutan in order to give their grandchildren tremendous lives. This mentality was even apparent at the ACC. While volunteering, I was lucky enough to meet a woman from Sudan. She explained to me that she was once a very famous nurse in her village. Conversely, in America, she now works two part time jobs cleaning hotels. Though this woman had to take a step back from her nursing job in Sudan, she appeared  to be pleased with her situation here. In America, she emphasized, her three children can live a great life of freedom and wealth. Like the Odari Family, this woman relinquished her job as a revered nurse to give her children a life of prosperity. This sense of altruism seems to be a common tie of all of the refugee stories we have been presented to in class, therefore making it a quality that helps identify a refugee story from a "normal" story.

Through all four of these qualities, refugee stories instill hope in all of us. Looking past all of the crime and violence around me, I am proud to say that there are people in this world that are silently working to better themselves and others around them. Furthermore, refugee stories are perfect examples of what optimism can do. Although many refugees have a worse life in America than in their decrepit home countries, they still never give up. In fact, with this optimism, many rise to success. If we can look to refugee stories as examples of how to live life and carry one's self amid difficulty, I strongly believe that we would live in a better world.

Pain and Hope (Extended Essay Rough Draft)

Raza Sagarwala

Professor Leake

Honors Writing 1733

28 April 2013

Pain and Hope

Tear drops stain their cheeks. Their eyes are red and puffy. The sobbing makes it certain that they are suffering. Dazed, children walk around with no sense of direction or purpose, while their mothers shriek cries of anguish that bounce off the walls. This is the typical life of a refugee. These men and women are alienated in society and have no place to call home. They also face heavy persecution everywhere they turn. From their skin color to their culture, this group is looked down upon as uncivilized and unfit for this world. However, refugees refuse to give up when presented with this adversity and, instead, fight for everything they believe in. By doing so, they are able to preach their stories of optimism and success to the rest of the world, similar to what authors, such as Mawi Asgedom, have already done.  Thesis

All of the refugee stories presented in class encompass the plight of refugees, namely the problems with assimilating into American culture. This singlehandedly sparks the initial pain and suffering newly resettled refugee families endure. Though many refugees come to America with the hopes of living in a "promised land" of equal opportunities, they quickly come to the conclusion that America is far different than advertised. This preconceived notion that life in America will be full of joy and free of sorrow is eventually negated when refugees realize that they moved from "war, famine, and refugee camps to another, less obvious, state of 'war' and abandonment: the neoliberal state that turns against its most vulnerable residents" (Mackey, 29). This understanding is apparent in Of Beetles and Angels, a story about a family that, for a majority of the book, fails to find its true identity in America. Centered around Mawi Asgedom, the author, the story introduces the reader to a life unfathomed to most of us. Throughout the book, Asgedom and his brother are continually bullied by other students at their school, thereby making it difficult for their family to assimilate into the new culture menacingly presented to them. This difficulty is clearly seen when Asgedom explains that his parents repeatedly emphasize that they "are the poorest in the land...[and] will have to work backbreaking jobs [while] never fully understanding [their] rights" (Asgedom, 33). These types of obstacles facing refugees today create deep feelings of isolation in America that are exacerbated by this group's longing to go back home. Further, as Eggers eloquently portrayed in the novel What it the What, Valentino Deng "(quote from book about wanting to be in Africa instead of America)". The very fact that refugees like Deng would rather go back to their home countries that are being torn apart by war and persecution emphasizes the struggle that this group goes through after relocating to foreign countries. With both of these accounts of refugee stories, the general supposition of the cultural incompatibilities refugees encounter is evident and brought to attention.

Though the superficial reason for writing refugee stories is to present the challenges refugees handle daily, these stories are also written to highlight the strength and optimism of this oppressed group. Namely, these authors stress the idea that refugees forgive but never forget, thus portraying their characteristic of ressentiment. In the expert from Translating Pain, Hron eloquently explains how ressentiment, based on Nietzsche, can be a positive aspect of a refugee's life, as it "urges individuals to identify the sources of their resentment and to work against them in a vehement 'no'" (Hron, 55). Through this, Hron stresses that immigrants are put in a "continuous process of transformation and of overcoming" (Hron, 56) their unique problems, thereby growing and blossoming into better individuals. Essentially, refugees use their negative experiences to push themselves to be the best they can be by using ressentiment, thereby reaching heights never imagined. For example, in Angels and Beetles, Asgedom loses two of his best friends from drunk driving, his father and his brother. However, he never revolts at society directly, but "manifests [himself] in 'clever' strategies, which include a perfect understanding of how to keep silent, how not to forget, [and] how to wait" (Hron, 55). By doing so, he funnels his anger into excelling at academics. With this skill of ressentiment, Asgedom is able to reach the pinnacle of success once he fulfills his "parent's dreams... [of] earning [his] scholarship and graduating"(Asgedom, 134) from Harvard, while also writing a book that, years after its publication, is still being read. Moreover, the theme of forgiveness is rich in What is the What. Although Michael, a child, physically abuses and harasses Deng throughout the reading, Deng, to the surprise of the reader, comments on how his "fondness of [Michael] grows... and forgiveness fumbles back into [his heart]" (Eggers, 109). Though young Michael treats Deng mercilessly, Deng has the ability to continually forgive those that mistreat him. Although he decides to run away from the horrors he suffered from the previous night with the robbers, Eggers makes a point to note that Deng will "reach upward [and] will attempt to do better" (Eggers, 533) in the future by being more cognizant of his surroundings, thus learning from his previous mistakes. Through this powerful ending, even Deng's sense of ressentiment stays strong toward the end of the novel as he maturely puts his anger and energy into learning and growing into a more complete human. This distinctive quality of refugees is, in fact, the main reason why this group continually ignores harassment, as they are able to harness the resulting anger into productive results.

Though ressentiment is integral in telling a refugee story, humility is just as important. Very few people possess this characteristic, especially here in America.  Nevertheless, as evident in the film God Grew Tired of Us, refugees get their strong values of humbleness through their upbringing and culture they grow up in. In What is the What, Eggers powerfully states that Deng works for "$5 or $6 an hour... which seemed like a great deal of money [to him]" (Eggers, 514). It is amazing what this unique group is willing to put up with to have a life of freedom and peace. Not only do they work menial jobs that no one wants, but they also do these jobs with a smile on their faces. This is the same mentality I noticed while volunteering at the ACC. When I came for my second volunteering session, I was told to step into the employment director's room. I ended up walking right into a meeting with a women who had just come from Africa. Essentially, the employment center was trying to get her a job at a small, local hotel near the highway as a cleaning lady. Though most Americans would ignore the mere thought of a job like this, she was more than willing to accept it. I still recall with fondness the large and genuine smile that erupted on her face when she found out that she had received the position. The Lost Boys were another group that were ecstatic to work at places like McDonald's, as portrayed in God Grew Tired of Us. This group never complained about the countless hours they had to study and work for throughout their first years in America. Instead, they put in the hard work with the utmost level of respect and humility that I have ever encountered in my life. Thus, this high level of morale and humility are key factors in narrating a compelling and complete refugee story.

Finally, credibility and authenticity link all of the aforementioned characteristics of refugee stories, as it is this quality that garners sympathy and genuine interest from the audience. With the established ethos of the speaker, the audience is able to emotionally be affected to a new level, as the pain and suffering portrayed seems more realistic. In the end, it is this part of the refugee story that sticks with the audience the most, and, hence, is what helps refugees receive recognition from the rest of the world. In fact, this is truly the end goal of all refugee stories, especially the three stories presented in class. They are here today to "spark unimagined changes" (Asgedom, 137). By coupling this with the other facets of a refugee story, authors and directors alike can make an impact in today's society.

Refugee stories give me hope in humanity. Looking past all of the crime and violence around me, I am proud to say that there are people in this world that are still attempting to help others out of the good of their heart. Furthermore, refugee stories are perfect examples of what optimism can do. Although many refugees have a worse life in countries like America than their torn apart home countries, they still never give up. With this optimism, many rise to success. If we can look to refugee stories as examples of how to live life and carry one's self, I strongly believe that we would live in a better place. 

***The Stuff  highlighted are the things I am still working on editing. Also, I think I need to work on my conclusion and was thinking of adding on some of Fadlalla's criticism***

P9

The Voices of Refugees event opened my eyes to the true lives of refugees across the world. During the event, there were three speakers, Nizibao from Burundi, Tin Tin from Myanmar, and the Odari family from Bhutan. Each of the speakers had many interesting stories to tell, however there were many similarities between the three. With this and the other connections I made with the material we were presented to in class, I have come to a better understanding of what a refugee story is.

One new aspect that I took from the event was the fact that many refugees come to America to not only make their lives better, but to also improve the lives of their children, grandchildren, and subsequent generations. This was quickly apparent when the Odari family came up to speak to us, especially when the grandfather of the family stressed that he came to America to set up a better life for his family. Essentially, he hopes that moving to America will give his family a better and more complete life than he ever had while in Bhutan. Further, the plea for the children of the family to receive free education spoke to the high expectations refugees have not for themselves, but for their younger one. This selfish desire and want for the children to live the "American Dream" clearly explains the rational for leaving behind everything in one's home country to come to a brand new country like America.

Moreover, the Voice of Refugees helped me put into perspective the large problem language barriers can cause. Tin Tin was able to clearly illuminate this problem when she explained to the audience that she could not get food the first night she was in America because she had no way of communicating this desire. As a result, Tin Tin and her children  went without food that night, thereby creating the initial feelings of helplessness and hopelessness in America that many refugees experience. Additionally, Tin Tin explained that this inability to understand or speak English while in America has impeded her ability to feel a sense of belonging in this culture. In fact, her main wish to make her feel comfortable in this country is for people to be friendly and to talk to her, even if she does not understand English. If we can take this lesson to heart, I strongly believe that we can help refugees assimilate into America.

Overall, I was very happy that I could attend the Voice of Refugees, as it was able to supplement the reading and discussions from class. Further, having men and women who have gone through this process explain the horrors they have gone through in their lives has made me appreciative the life I have right now, for discussing and reading about refugees is not nearly as powerful as hearing from them first hand. 

P8

Volunteering at the ACC has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Not only has it given me the opportunity to give back to the myriad of refugees across the world, but it has also helped me put our reading assignments and class discussions into perspective.

The attitude of refugees has been the most interesting aspect of my volunteering at the ACC. Although I have only volunteered for a few weeks, every conversation I have had with refugees has been full of optimism and hope. However, I have noticed that though they are optimistic about their new lives in America, they understand that America is not the "promised land" that some people make it out to be. Instead, they have come to America with realistic expectations of the situation they are getting themselves into. After reading all of the material given to us in class, I was understandably quite surprised with this mentality. At the same time, I am happy that refugees (at least a few) are beginning to learn from the mistakes of their companions and colleagues, thereby giving them realistic expectations while in America.

Another interesting thing about the ACC was the enthusiasm the employees have found in their job. When you talk to a typical person working in an office, they usually complain about the monotony found in the work place. Yet, after watching the ACC employees and talking to them, I have realized that these men and women are proud to serve refugees. As one employee put it, her  job constantly keeps her on her toes, as every refugee comes with a different background and story to tell. This positivity and willingness of the employees are exactly what refugees at the ACC need to make the most out of their lives in America.

As one can imagine, this volunteering experience has allowed me to compare and contrast the material covered in class, thereby helping me learn outside of the classroom. It has also taught me that service learning can be very beneficial with the right attitude. For me, I came into the ACC with the mindset that I wanted to make a difference in people's lives. With this positive attitude, I have truly taken a lot out of my volunteering at the ACC. Now, for the rest of the quarter, I hope to be able to continue making a difference in refugees lives, while also hearing more of the diverse stories that these refugees have brought with them. 

P7

Peak's Humanitarian Narrative and Posthumanist critique: Dave Egger's What is the What vehemently attacks the life and the system in place that refugees encounter after relocating to countries such as America. This is quickly apparent through Peak's denouncement of the idea of "the promised freedom and equality for all that emerges from conceptions of a universal humanity [that] is continually offset by the realities faced by [refugees]" (Peak, 116). Although many refugees have a preconceived notion that life in America will be full of joy and free of sorrow, they eventually realize that they only move from "war, famine, and refugee camps to another, less obvious, state of 'war' and abandonment: the neoliberal state that turns against its most vulnerable residents" (Mackey, 29). It is this very same "neoliberal state" that has given Mawi Asgedom, the Lost Boys, and now Deng little to no support in growing and flourishing in the new countries they are placed in. With this, we are able to realize the hard work that this group must put in to achieve success.

This sad realization of the true life of refugees in their respective countries is evident in many stories across the world, including Deng's. These men and women are forced to work menial jobs hovering around six dollars an hour and are constantly disappointed in the "promised land" they had dreamed of in Africa. In fact, many, like Deng, yearn for their former lives in their old, torn countries. This is readily obvious with Eggers' juxtaposition of Deng's life in Africa and America, specifically during the robbery. By comparing both the brutal crime found in America and the incivility found in Africa, the reader is able to understand Peak's negative criticism of the way countries treat refugees. This negative treatment can also be seen in Asgedom's life in America. The society that he is forced to live in only brings him down. From losing his brother and dad to being bullied constantly, America gives Asgedom more sorrow and suffering than help.

However, after digesting all of the material presented in class, I now truly appreciate the success refugees manage to find in their new lives. Although they leave their home countries to foreign places and are attacked for being refugees, many continually climb the dangerous ladder to success. By viewing stories with this perspective, I now look at refugees in a new light of amazement and admiration. 

P6

What is the What is a captivating story that combines Valentino Deng's life experiences in America and Africa. This compelling book has many strong similarities to Angels and Beetles and God Grew Tired of Us. It is through stories like these three that we are able to put refugees' lives into perspective while they are assimilating into their new country.

The major similarity found throughout all three of these stories is the pain and suffering that refugees go through due to the insensitivity of others. Though there is inevitably bias in creating these books and documentaries, the authors and directors portray the citizens of the United States of America as an ethically immoral group of individuals. This theory is quite apparent in God Grew Tired of Us, especially when these men are forced to separate the group due to the town's fear of them. Though this group of men are some of the nicest people I have ever seen, they are still looked down upon because of their differences. This absurdity and insensitivity is also strikingly apparent while Deng is being robbed  and is further compounded with how Michael, the TV boy, "thinks [Deng] is not of his species" (Eggers, 50). The very fact that a young boy is treating an adult like a lesser being portrays the deep mistreatment that many refugees encounter in their daily lives. If a boy like Michael can treat Deng like this, I cannot imagine how bad life is for refugees around the world.

Although both books and the documentary portray the pain and mistreatment many innocent refugees run into, I now understand that the authors and directors of refugee stories portray the pain and suffering of this group to not only receive aid and sympathy, but to also highlight the sincerity and kindness in refugees. For example, in Angels and Beetles, Asgedom does not revolt at society for killing his brother and father. Instead, he continues to believe in the kindness of humanity and, in the end, seems to forgive society for the pain it inflicted on his family. Moreover, the theme of forgiveness is rich in What is the What. Although Michael, a child, harasses Deng throughout our reading, Deng continually comments on how his "fondness of him grows... and forgiveness fumbles back into [his heart]" (Eggers, 109). Though young Michael treats Deng mercilessly, Deng seems to have the ability to continually forgive those that mistreat him.

As a result, Deng's story has now given me a new look into the complicated story of a refugee. Though all authors and directors create refugee stories to portray the mistreatment refugees encounter daily, they also exhibit the ability for refugees to forgive, but not to forget. By doing so, refugees are able to use their negative experiences to push themselves to be the best they can be, hence reaching height never imagined. If we can take this lesson and apply it to our lives, our world would be a much better place.

SE 1

The Struggle

Tear drops stain their cheeks. Their eyes are red and puffy. Dazed, children walk around with no sense of direction or purpose. These Sri Lankan refugees are found in every corner in India. Oppressed in Sri Lanka, this group migrates to countries across the world, thereby attempting to evade the persecution that awaits them back home. However, even after migrating to a new country, they encounter many obstacles, namely the difficulty of assimilation into a new culture. This is a typical plot for many refugees, regardless of where they are from or where they relocate to. This "typical" refugee story surrounds a family that goes through a myriad of suffering that is unknown to most people. When in their new country, they still struggle for acceptance. In fact, a Sri Lankan refugee who was interviewed by P.V. Srividya, the author of the article What it feels like to be a Tamil refugee, commented that there are slurs and negative connotations associated with these Sri Lankans that contribute in giving them a tough transition in India. Even with this negative stigma, this group continues to strive for success on a daily basis.

However, after reading this article, I noticed obvious issues with Srividya's representation of the Sri Lankan refugees in India that are highlighted in Fadlalla's Contested Borders of (In)humanity: Sudanese Refugees and the Mediation of Suffering and Subaltern Visibilities. Although Srividya emphasizes the pain these people go through on a daily basis, he offers no solutions for fixing the root problem that is causing the Sri Lankan population to feel persecuted. Instead, Srividya attempts to instill "universal morality" and "humanitarianism" (Fadlalla, 81) in the readers by making them feel guilty and, hence, obligated to help the refugees. With this representation, the media continues to ignore the main cause of persecution felt by the refugees in the first place. While nothing is done to stop the original source of destruction in these countries, positive change can be taken from this flawed approach.

            Srividya also falls into the traps Fadlalla sets forth with the media's misrepresentation of refugees. According to Fadlalla, the media tends to portray refugees as "innately 'violent' and 'disruptive'" (Fadlalla, 87). Because the media has a large influence on people's views and thoughts, it causes a majority of the population to create false images of refugees and the problems they face. Again, this causes many people to avoid fixing the root problem that creates refugees and, instead, allows people to blame the problems that refugees have on their personal characteristics. By doing so, a false perception of needing to save refugees is created, as it is assumed that refugees live in "Peter Pan's 'never-land' of 'exotic wonders' that hosts tigers, beasts, and savages who threaten the security of the land" (Fadlalla, 102). This representation of developing countries creates a negative perception of how helping refugees is viewed, as there is a fundamental difference between saving and helping refugees. The Western ideology of "saving" looks down upon refugees as primitive and lesser beings. Conversely, emphasizing the philosophy of "helping" treats refugees as humans. This mentality greatly assists in forming a mutual relationship between those of an outsider status and those in dire need of assistance.

            This article also generalizes the Sri Lankan refugees by starting with two examples of pregnant women taking care of their family. With this, the reader is able to represent this entire group with an "easy-to-consume image" (Fadlalla, 81) of close knit families surviving together. Accordingly, this helps The Hindu push its own agenda of garnering an audience and spreading awareness of the debacle found among many refugee families. Nevertheless, though Fadlalla criticizes this form of representation in the media, this technique is absolutely critical in conveying a message to a target audience, as this helps the audience remember and connect to the story. This can potentially result in aid for refugees.

            Through a basic analysis of Srividya's article on Sri Lankan refugees in India, the reader can quickly discern the various techniques the author uses to spread knowledge of the anguish found in many refugees. Though Fadlalla rightfully criticizes authors like Srividya for their superficial representation of refugees in mass media, it is important to note that this depiction of refugees is still potentially positive in the impact it can make for refugees. With the awareness this flawed media spreads, the first foot is put forward for change. While this does not fix the root problem creating refugees, it still makes this problem visible to the world andsets the path for further improvement.

P5

     In the expert from Translating Pain, Hron eloquently explains what suffering and pain really mean, specifically to immigrants. While reading, Hron's discussion on ressentiment stood out to me, as this topic is clearly portrayed in Of Beetles and Angels and God Grew Tired of Us. Essentially, Hron emphasizes how ressentiment, based on Nietzsche, can be a positive aspect of a refugee's life as it "urges individuals to identify the sources of their resentment and to work against them in a vehement 'no'" (Hron, 55). Through this, Hron stresses that immigrants are put in a "continuous process of transformation, and of overcoming" (Hron, 56) their unique problems, thereby growing and blossoming into better individuals.

     In Of Beetles and Angels, Mawi Asgedom narrates the struggles he and his family go through while they are refugees. As the reader finds out from the very beginning of the book, Asgedom goes through many life changing events. Not only does he lose his beloved brother, but he also loses his father before he can see Asgedom graduate from Harvard. Though he loses two of his role models and closest friends because of drunk driving, Asgedom never revolts at society directly, but "manifests [himself] in 'clever' strategies, which include a perfect understanding of how to keep silent, how not to forget, [and] how to wait" (Hron, 55). By doing so, he hones in his anger into excelling in school. With this skill of ressentiment, Asgedom is able to reach the pinnacle of success once he graduates from Harvard and writes a book that, years after its publication, is still being read.

     This theme of ressentiment is also readily apparent in God Grew Tired of Us. Though the Lost Boys come to a brand new place where they do not even understand the "basic" concept of electricity, the Lost Boys continually fight for their survival in America by working jobs at places like McDonald's. Still, even while working low level jobs, the boys are surrounded by hostility, especially when they are forced to split up into smaller groups to not scare off the townspeople. Though any sane person can tell you that this is absurd, the Lost Boys, like Asgedom, stay quiet and continue to push themselves, hence becoming more complete men when they reach success in their lives on a daily basis.

     It is this overcoming of a struggle unknown to most of us that allows the audience to appreciate its relatively luxurious lives. However, the key to using ressentiment while dealing with pain is the correct employment of it. For, as Hron points out, this can lead to a group of people "even cleverer than any [other] noble race" (Hron, 55). 

P4: A Refugee Story

A refugee story is one encompassing pain and suffering from living in a foreign place and culture, hence eliciting feelings of sympathy in its audience. Though this story is similar to those dealing with feelings of gloominess and despair, it has its own element of challenges and obstacles of cultural identity and assimilation into a new culture that are not seen in a typical story.

Of Beetles and Angels is the perfect example of a refugee story. Centered around Mawi Asgedo, the story introduced me to a life that I had never imagined. Mawi not only elegantly conveys his and his family's situation as refugees perfectly, but also draws upon the cultural problems a refugee deals with. These harsh challenges Mawi goes through during his childhood are like none I have ever encountered in my life. Throughout the book, Mawi and his brother are continually picked on by other students in their school, thereby making it difficult for the two of them and their family to assimilate into the new culture menacingly surrounding them. This is clearly seen when Mawi explains that his parents continually emphasized that they "are the poorest in the land...[and] will have to work backbreaking jobs [while] never fully understanding [their] rights" (Asgedom 33). Challenges like these make a story such as Of Beetles and Angels a true refugee story, as the challenges presented to them are tough to overcome due to the new culture and environment presented to them.

Though the movie God Grew Tired of Us takes a different approach in conveying a refugee story with its comedic relief, it too has elements of struggle in a new environment. In this documentary, the audience realizes how little the Lost Boys know about America. From the appliances used to the culture of America in general, this group of men initially has a tough time adjusting to  America. However, even when this group is able to learn the typical American life, they are still unjustly persecuted because of their ethnicity. This is clearly evident when the men are asked to not travel in groups because of people's fear of them. Although absurd, the director is able to successfully portray the difficult obstacles refugees must face on a constant bases.

All in all, a refugee story is unique because of its elements brought on by a movement into a foreign place. As one can imagine, this leads to a trouble in understanding and being part of the new culture, hence directly causing refugees to yearn for their past lives. However, even after reading a large portion Of Beetles and Angels and watching God Grew Tired of Us, I have come to realize that I will never truly understand what it feels like to be a refugee. Nonetheless, the best I can do is volunteer at places like the ACC to attempt to help this group as much as I can.