photo by Lucy Gellman / The Arts Paper
Chris George (Cohort 7) is Executive Director of New Haven-based Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS). He reminds us that: “Welcoming persecuted people from other countries is an ancient and universal custom. In the United States, it is our most noble tradition. Refugees and immigrants enrich this country, making it a better place for all of us.”
World Refugee Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly, is observed around the world in June. It was created to recognize and raise awareness of the plight – and resilience – of people who are fleeing conflict or persecution. Individuals are granted refugee status by the new country they enter, and are protected by international law. Half of our world’s 25.4 million refugees are children, the largest numbers since World War II (in addition to the 43 million displaced people who are currently in their native countries).
In New Haven, refugees were honored through music, cuisine, a photography exhibit, and a Family Unity Rally that showed support for keeping children and parents together at the U.S. border. It was a partnership between IRIS, Action Together Connecticut, City Seed’s Sanctuary Kitchen, and Trinity on the Green.
Four young women, refugee and asylee members of IRIS’ Youth Leadership Program, share parts of their stories in speeches and essays from the day:
Divine Mahoundi:
We’re all here to renew a pledge. A pledge to defend those seeking sanctuary, to those fleeing a home where they are no longer safe. Today I stand here humbled, enriched, committed because of that exact experience.
Everywhere you look today you can see the advancement of man, how the human mind has evolved, created and built a whole new world. Strangely every time I think back on what I’ve seen, I wonder how that same human mind continues to allow the exploitation of children across the world, where girls are being denied to go to school, where children are living without clean water, medical care, protection, even food.
Where their bodies and minds are unprotected from violence, abuse and exploitation.
Where they are targets of war.
A boy sitting in the back of an ambulance, trying to understand what just happened to him.
A boy’s lifeless body washing up on a beach far, far away from his home.
…we ask you to join us today to become the collective voice of oppressed children and refugees immigrants across the world in our fight against the injustices that they have had to endure every day…
I’m humbled, inspired, even more as I look around and I listen to everyone here not just to be a part of IRIS’s group of young women but to be involved with all of you individuals who have selflessly dedicated their voice, their time, their heart into helping the world see light, and fighting those who are seriously endangering our future, which is our children.
I recently read a quote by Salman Khan that said “being human is given, but keeping our humanity is a choice.” So let’s choose our humanity. Our dream is to live in peace. Let’s choose to act now and create a better world for us, our children, and generations to come.
…When I first arrived in the US, it felt good but weird. It was a new world for me. I left my family without saying goodbye, and my dad was still fighting in Africa. I came here from hiding for my own security. I didn’t know anyone and didn’t know who to trust. I wasn’t confident in myself. I had to make the choice of building a life here and protecting my sisters.
We’d like to thank you… For showing your support for refugees and immigrants, and for being the shoulder we can lean on.
Nour Al-Zouabi:
Corruption, destruction, war, greed, and injustice are just some words that describe the experiences of those in refugee countries.
Imagine having to flee your country to survive and get to safety.
Only the lucky ones are able to pack their stuff in a bag before leaving. Otherwise, people will have to leave everything behind to survive.
Refugees are people who flee conflict or persecution. Luckily, they are recognized and protected by international law and therefore should not be expelled or returned to situations that endanger their lives and freedom.
Refugees are not here to make trouble; instead they are simply here to escape a dangerous place and be in a safe one.
It may be hard to imagine anyone being a refugee. But for the 25 million refugees scattered around the world, it is a terrible reality.
Mariame Kazadi:
I have a dream. A dream of becoming an immigration attorney to defend refugees and immigrants. To fight against this view of refugees as a burden, the fact that everyone with an accent is a criminal.
I am a refugee, that is the first thing you should know about me. Second I’ve never killed anyone, I am not a terrorist; I am a victim. I am a victim of persecution, a victim of terrorism, a victim of war.
And now I am a victim of discrimination. Right now, the first thing that comes into an American mind when they hear the word “immigrants” is illegal.
The propagation of the anti-immigrant memes, and the concurring increase in hate speech and violence towards immigrants are part and parcel of a new culture of intolerance and prejudice, now living in full daylight on both sides of the Atlantic. Dehumanizing immigrants, stigmatizing and threatening the children of immigrants further tears the fabric of the nation. Anti-immigrant narratives depicting new arrivals as criminals, drug dealers, human traffickers, terrorists, and rapists.
Our beloved president Donald John Trump, during his recent immigration speech, said “you better be smart you better be tough, and they are taking your job and you better be careful” – listening to the speech I cried.
…I would like you to know: If they should send immigrants and refugees back home then we should all go back home and leave the country to the native Americans because we are all immigrants and refugees…
Gladys Mwilelo:
World refugee day is the day the world commemorates the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions refugees, according to the UN refugee agency. This is a day where millions of Americans get to share their stories on how their lives have been beautified by knowing and living with refugees. This is also a day where U.S. born Americans across the United States celebrate the goodness of the newcomers who collaborate to make the United States a welcoming country in the whole universe.
For 5 years that I have been in this country this day has always been proud and a worth celebrating day for my family and I. It is a day where I get to spread my wings and celebrate who I am as a refugee. I grew up complaining about unhappy situations in my life, especially being forced to flee the country that I loved and become a refugee in other countries. Today is my day and other millions refugees worldwide. I am very grateful to be welcomed by New Haven, city that has become my new home.