Powell and Refugee Stories

“It’s likely that many Americans would define refugees as people of color who are poor and need assistance.” (Powell pg 302) After looking at a variety of refugee stories over the past few weeks, I should hope that as a class we could say that this is not the definition of a refugee. In his article, “Rhetorics of Displacement,” Powell alludes to the proper definition given by UNHCR: “a person outside of his country of nationality…and have a well-founded fear of persecution.” (UNHCR pg 8) Powell compares Deng’s experience in What is the What, to the experience of people displaced by hurricane Katrina in the United States, and to people labeled as “feeble-minded” who were forced to relocate. I appreciated the way he looked at the official definition of a refugee, and challenged the media in the United States to take a look at it as well. There is often misleading information covered within the media, especially surrounding times of disaster. It is true that the people relocated following hurricane Katrina were being assisted, but the complete truth includes the fact that these people are not refugees, and should not be treated as such. I also entirely agreed with Powell when he discussed American’s preconceived ideas surrounding refugees. “We expect refugee’s stories to…fulfill certain narrative expectations of othered-ness, victimization, and dependence on the state.” (Powell. pg 308) I will admit that I am guilty of often accepting these expectations. Powell’s discussion was a great correlation to Melissa’s word of wisdom to us, “once you have met a refugee, you have done just that, you have met a refugee.” It is imperative to learn to go into working with refugees with a mind that is completely open, clear of media-induced stereotypes, so that we are able to hear the stories for exactly what they are—no matter what that may prove to be.