OpEd

OpEd

              The current refugee crisis is one that we all need to consider more. Many may believe that the refugee crisis is something that only affects refugees but, it affects us all.  We all play a part in either helping or hurting the current situation. I believe that we all have a duty to help refugees coming into our country.

Yet many argue that letting these immigrants into our country would only lead to destruction, tension and conflict that our country at its current state cannot afford. Yes, we may not be in the best place as a country but one thing we do have is resources. Resources that we take for granted that any refugee would die for.  Everyday items like food, clothing and other necessities are things we need to offer, we can surely do this. They are starving, they are unaware if they will even make it to their new host families, they are unsure if they will see their families. This crisis is not temporary, this conflict has been affecting our country for years now. So, what is getting in the way? I believe currently what is getting in the way of us using our resources is our prejudices, and fear of the unknown. Another reason this problem is that the refugees have little to no support. To truly succeed in building durable solutions for refugees we must look past our differences and see these people as people just as us, trying to build a better life. The areas for improvement center on helping other countries, showing support and seeing the refugees as the people they are and not as another task off the to do list.

One line that I read in another article I was reading stated: “Hope is not lost, but it is getting impatient, and we should be too.” This quote was one that I really liked because it shows that there is still hope for refugees out there, but hope begins with our action.  

Topic of Interest

Topic of Interest

This week, I have really been able to reflect on my research topic, as a whole. This week especially I have seen many food drives, many conferences and heard many talking about the issue of refugees. It is interesting to see how much people are actually talking about this worldwide issue and to see it's impact on certain individuals. Most of the things I have seen pertaining to refugees has been in the LA hall by the multicultural center. As I walked through the halls, it was interesting to see that students are setting up these stations, and are promoting a change. This really helped me to see that not only is this issue relevant but this issue may affect many more, close to home then we may believe. As I was looking through social media, I came by a quote that read, "Refugees have no choice. You do." This quote struck me and seemed to apply to all those who were out there setting up booths, having conferences and doing so much more to help these people. It was interesting to me that I was able to feel in the loop and to feel as if I knew what was happening around me, it was a good feeling. Also it seemed to give a little nudge as to if I really do have all this information now, why not do something about it?

Topic of Interest

Topic Of Interest

For my blog post this week on my topic of interest, I was able to find a website where they specifically talk about refugee resettlement in America. Here is the link:

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr

This website has all the possible information you could want about resettlement. It has a tab for policies, unaccompanied children and many resources. It also has many success stories about refugees who came to America and are now well off on their own. I really enjoyed this website! Check it out!

Topic of Interest

Refugee Crisis

Recently, I was able to interview a man over email named Solomon. Solomon works for my the same company my Dad does named Mercy Housing. Mercy Housing is a housing corporation that gives affordable housing to those who cannot provide for themselves. Solomon specifically works with Refugees, and helps them move into their new homes at their properties which span across the U.S. I was able to ask Solomon five basic questions on his job with Refugees and his experience with the people. One of my favorite responses Solomon had was when I asked him what he would like others to know about Refugees. Solomon stated: "Refugees are the most hard working people I have ever seen. They do not take anything for granted; they work any jobs available to make ends meet, they are family oriented, and they would rather go hungry than not paying rent. Other than a few of them still relies on government subsidies, most of the refugees I have encounter for the past ten years have been very successful in their life; they go to school,  buy a new car within a year or two of arriving here, and most of them move out from Grace because they buy house." This was a true testament to me that, what I am arguing in my paper affects real lives. These people who I am advocating for are real people with real dream and ambitions, all we have to do is give them a chance to pursue their adventures.

AOD 3/31/17

Why Language Matters

I thought that this video was very interesting. One part of this video that I found to be very interesting was the comment she made that "The way we use words changes the way we frame things in our mind." This is something I found interesting because she told of how subconsciously our minds think of girl and women differently. The term girl she states implies, "there are inferior to men". I do think in a way this is a stretch and a feminism approach to this language problem. Yet I do agree that women and men should both be called appropriately. I like how she does recognize that often times it is not used in a bad way on purpose. I do think that it is a good idea to use language that elevates each other and builds others up. I think that often this is a huge factor in society today. We often demean others because it is so called "funny" or "kidding" terms, when in fact all this does is show us how wrong we are about these people. Overall, I did like her message on how we should consciously try to help and change others language to elevate others.

Topic of Interest

Topic of Interest

As I was going through my social media page this morning, I saw a very funny post about helping refugees. The post read:

America: We need to help Syrian Refugees

Syria: Actually yeah we have thousands of refugees who need a place to stay, America would be great

America: New phone who's this?

I saw this post and while I laughed about it, I realized that this is how many times we as Americans are. We set our minds and hearts out to doing something but in the long run, do we really do what we say we are out to do? Especially in helping others, I feel many want to help but do not know where to start. Luckily there are many organizations that you can donate to and that you can get involved with to help. I believe that again as we open our borders, we will have an opportunity for an experience of a lifetime to help others who truly do need our help. Syria is just one of many countries that need our help.

AOD 3/28/17

A Single Story

This TED talk made me really reconsider how I view others and how I many times have been affected by a single story. I believe many news articles and social media often only tell one side of the story which in turn leads to prejudices and assumptions that are not necessarily true. To tell only one side of a story is like only viewing an area from an aerial view, yes you may see the top and overall landscape, yet can you see the color of the leaves on the trees and things like this? No, no you can't, so in this way you never can have the full story. Many times I believe that single stories begin from prejudices or from what others have been brought up to think and taught. I believe telling a single story is something that we as a society has always done. The interesting part of this is that we through our different backgrounds all have multiple views from what we were taught on various subjects and such. We openly accept and do not question what we are taught therefore when something unlike what we are taught is shown or brought up, we readily attack  the idea or different perspective. I believe the only true way to stop single stories is to go and experience first hand for yourself. Tell others about your experience with certain people, or a certain place and tell unbiasedly. Tell based on observation and facts, not only on what you think people want to hear. We need to be open minded and take what we hear with a grain of salt.