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From Culture Clash toWarm Welcome
Community Health ConferenceSeptember 28, 2017
Yusuf Abdi, Lutheran Social Services of MNMarge Higgins, MDH Refugee & International Health Program
Overview
The importance of Welcome & BelongingCurrent cultural climates ‐ sharing perspectivesModels of culture clash and warm welcomeGlobal and Local overview of refugee resettlementSeeking refuge – the history of refugee resettlement Sharing of refugee/immigrant storiesResources for moving forward individually and collectively
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What is a Warm Welcome?
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Belonging – being welcomed and wanted – is critical to the well‐being of individuals and communities
• “The greatest epidemic today is not TB, HIV, or leprosy – it is being unwanted. … Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than (having) nothing to eat.” – Mother Teresa
• “Marginalization is a pathogenic agent.” – Dr. Jonathan Mann
• “We don't get to know people when they come to us; we must go to them to find out what they are like.” ‐ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Personal
May all people experience happiness and the cause of happiness.May they be free of suffering and the cause of suffering.
Universal Wish
May you experience happiness and the cause of happiness.May you be free of suffering and the cause of suffering.
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How are we experiencing Culture Clashes in MN?
Afternoon prayers outside the police tape surrounding the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minn., on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017
Minnesota Mosque Hit by Early‐Morning Explosion
Minnesota woman smashes Muslim in face with beer mug for speaking
Swahili at Applebee’s
St. Cloud is the worst place in Minnesota to be SomaliWednesday, January 20, 2016 by Susan Du in News
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When new groups of people seek refuge here, questions arise:
• Will our culture Change?• Do they share our values?• How do we know they aren’t terrorists?• Do they want to become American? Speak our language?
• Why can’t we go back to the way things used to be?
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• What is our role in helping to stabilize the lives of displaced people?
• What is your world view about independence and country borders?
• Do you believe all people are equal?
• What is your responsibility when you witness unequal treatment or discrimination?
• Do you believe there will ever be an end to displacement of people due to war?
• What do these words mean to you? “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” by Emma Lazarus, 1883
Our world view and some core beliefs may be challenged:
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What do we do when these questions come up?
• It is nice to have a decisive answer, something concrete & consistent –no matter what side you are on.
“If you could have a bird’s eye perspective on the Earth and could look down at all the conflicts that are happening, all you’d see are two sides of a story where both sides think they’re right.So the solutions have to come from a change of heart, from softening what is rigid in our hearts and minds.” Pema Chodron
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When Different Cultures Meet:Model 1: Avoid the “other” Convert the “other” Destroy the “other”
Model 2:Be aware, curious, open and willing to learnCollaborate and cooperateShare the discomfort and work towardcommon goals
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Ethical Practice of Public Health:
• In an increasingly pluralistic society, we can no longer simply adopt the values from a single culture or religion, but we must work out our common values in the midst of diversity.
From the Public Health Leadership Society © 2002
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What are our expectations for successful resettlement of new arrivals in the community? “When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce.” Thich Nhat Hanh
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Brief History of Refugee Resettlement in the U.S.“Refugee Resettlement” is less than 100 years old:• Convention on International Status of Refugees 1933
• Introduction of “non‐refoulment” in international law
• FDR and the Evian Resolution – 1938• Protection extended to “would be” refugees in country of potential departure to help Germans & Austrians fleeing from the Third Reich
• International Refugee Organization (IRO) 1946‐1951• UN plan to resettle central European refugees to US, Canada, W Europe, Australia, Israel and Latin America
• 1952 UNHCR & “Study of Statelessness”
Photo: FirstWorldWar.com vintage photos
Photo: Wikimedia Commons: Passenger ship, possibly MS SKAUBRYN, berthed at a wharf (8400394605).jpg
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Overview:Worldwide Statistics, 2016
Total forcibly displaced 65.6 million
Total internally displaced persons 40.3million
Total refugees and asylum seekers 22.5 million
Newly displaced 10.3 million
Total resettled 189,300
UNHCR Global Trends 2016, United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugeeshttp://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2016/
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U.S. Refugee Admissions Ceilings, FY2017
Ceiling: 110,000*Source: US Department of State
YEAR
REFUGEEADMISSIONS
CEILING
FY TOTAL ADMITTEDINTO U.S.
2003 70,000 28,423
2004 70,000 52,873
2005 70,000 53,813
2006 70,000 41,279
2007 70,000 48,282
2008 80,000 60,191
2009 80,000 74,654
2010 80,000 73,311
2011 80,000 56,424
2012 76,000 58,236
2013 70,000 69,930
2014 70,000 69,987
2015 70,000 69,933
2016 85,000 84,995
2017* 110,000Reduced to
50,000*Proposed ceiling reduced to 50,000 as of 1/27/17 and 3/6/17
Near East/ South Asia, 40,000
Africa, 35,000
East Asia, 12,000
Latin America/ Caribbean,
5,000
Europe/ Central Asia,
4,000
Unallocated, 14,000
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Top 10 Primary Refugee Countries of Origin, Minnesota, 1979‐2016
1. Somalia 23,4692. Laos (Hmong) 22,0333. Vietnam 15,0724. Former Soviet Union* 9,0455. Burma 8,0646. Ethiopia 6,1347. Cambodia 5,0038. Laos (Other) 4,9279. Liberia 4,01910. Bosnia and Herzegovina 2,38011. Other 7,538
Total 107,684
*Includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
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Refugee Arrivals to MN by Region of World, 1979‐2016
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
Num
ber o
f arrivals
Southeast Asia Sub‐Saharan Africa Eastern Europe FSU Middle East/North Africa Other
*2016 data are preliminary10/11/2017 17
Demographic changes will continue…
Reasons Refugees Come to MN…
• Family Reunification
• Established Communities
• Employment Opportunities
• Welcoming State“Change is the only evidence of life.”
Minnesota (MN)
Minnesota’s Population
• 5.52 million
• 8.3% foreign born
• 130.4% increase in foreign‐born between 1990‐2000; 75.5% between 2000‐2015
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We’ve been here before:
Trump Administration Rejects Study Showing Positive Impact of RefugeesBy JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS and SOMINI SENGUPTA SEPT. 18, 2017
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Marge’s family immigration story• 1860’s German side of family settled in St. Paul
• Homestead Act of 1862 helped acquire land• Catholic, Farmers, large families• Grandfather purchased land in Richfield that became the MSP Airport
• 1940’s moved to Rosemount (Dakota County)• More affluent, community leaders, shrewd businessmen, vocal about prejudice of others
• 1890’s Irish side of family settled in Hastings & Lakeville (Dakota County)• Catholic, came to U.S. due to religious persecution• Farmers who came as Irish were beginning to “fit in”• Able to acquire more land over time• Poor, but creative and well‐connected• Grandmother was a teacher, Grandfather farmer and other
endeavors… (moonshine & counterfeiting)• Poor, but didn’t know it – had what we needed & gratitude
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Yusuf’s story & LSS Refugee Services• Journey to America – Ole meets Mohamed
• Resettlement Process• Interviews/Security/Medical/Orientation• US tie Vs Free Case
• Agency Role• Humanitarian Program• Voluntary Agency (VOLAGS)• Localized Core Services• Initial “Reception” into Communities, and “Placement” into Community Resources
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What is your story?
• Turn to the person next to you and share what you know about how your family came to live here.
• Share a memory of an event, or cultural practice from your heritage.
• Are there any parallels between your story and the people who are arriving here now?
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How to move forward:
• Increase your knowledge about refugees and immigrants.• http://www.health.state.mn.us/refugee/• https://mn.gov/dhs/partners‐and‐providers/training‐conferences/refugee‐resettlement‐training/
• Learn more about the history of immigrants and refugees in the U.S. and in Minnesota – including your own story.
• Get the facts about the channels and process involved in migration to the U.S. – for refugees, immigrants, students, visitors.
• Know where you stand, what you believe, & strive to stay open.
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How to move forward: Learn More• Find our more about missing American History – the parts you didn’t learn about in school ‐• The Indian Wars• Slavery• Immigration/Refugee History and Current Laws/Implementation
• TED Talks• The Refugee Crisis is a Test of Our Character by David Miliband
• Let’s Help Refugees Thrive, Not Just Survive by Melissa Fleming
• My Road Trip Through the Whitest Town in America by Rich Menjamin
• Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone by Pope Francis• Don’t Feel Sorry for Reufgees – Believe in Them by Luma Mufleh
• YouTube• Cultural Humility: People Principles and Practices by Vivian Chajvez10/11/2017 24
How to move forward: Learn More
• Movies• Casablanca (1942• Into the Fire: The Hidden Victims
of Austerity in Greece (2013)• Eternity and a Day (1998)• In This World (2002)• Children of Men (2006)• Welcome (2009)• When I Saw You (2012)• La Piroque (2012)• The Land Between (2014)• Kandahar (2001)• Pushing the Elephant (2010)• The Split Horn (1998)• Gran Torino (2008)
• Books• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman (1997)
• What is the What? By Dave Eggers (2006)• Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie (2013)
• Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat (1994)
• The Mango Bride by Marivi Soliven (2013)
• Almost A Woman by Esmeralda Santiago (1998)
• In the Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher (2003)
• Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (2002)
• My New American Life By Francine Prose (2011)
• Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok (2010)
• The Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska (1925)• The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu (2007)
• The Good Braider by Terry Farish (2012)• How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez (1991)• Practicing Peace in Times of War by Pema Chodron 2006 10/11/2017 25
How to move forward: Help Kids Learn More
Children’s Books about Refugees: Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes, with
illustrations by Sue Cornelison
My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo
Stepping Stones by Margriet Ruurs, with art by Nizar Ali Badr
Dear World by Bana Alabed
Escape From Aleppo by N. H. Senzai
Refugee by Alan Gratz
The Boy in the Wine Cellar by Katherine Marsh
Young Adult: A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi
The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel‐Fattah10/11/2017 26
How to move forward: Get Involved• #WeAreMpls – public awareness welcoming campaign
• Moving from Exclusion to Belonging ‐ Immigrant Rights in Minnesota Today: A report by Advocates for Human Rights to help define the broad scope of what it takes to create “welcoming” communities.
• All Are Welcome Here: A statement of Seattle & King County commitment became a sign for every work site
• Local Ramadan Iftar Dinners (LSS)• Community Movie Nights, with discussion• Book Clubs, School Activities, Cultural Storytime• Parades, Fairs, Town Celebrations ‐ show up
with banners, activity booths, music… • Post Yard or business/agency Signs
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How to move forward: Sing!I Am Willing – by Holly Near
• I am open and I am willing ‐ for to be hopeless would seem so strange –It dishonors those who go before us ‐ so lift me up to the light of change.
1) There is hurting in my family ‐ there is suffering in our town ‐There is a panic all across this nation ‐ and there is wailing the whole world ‘round.
2) May our children see more clearly ‐ may our elders be more wise –May the winds of change caress us even though they burn our eyes.
3) Give me a mighty oak to hold my confusion ‐ give me a desert to hold my fears –Give me a sunset to hold my wonder ‐ and give me an ocean to hold my tears.
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How to move forward: Sing!Wavin’ Flag – by K’naan
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CHORUS: When I get olderI will be strongerThey'll call me 'Freedom'Just like a wavin' flag
And then it goes backAnd then it goes backAnd then it goes back
3) And everybody will be singing itAnd you and I will be singing itAnd we all will be singing it
[2x]When I get olderI will be strongerThey'll call me 'Freedom'Just like a wavin' flag (overlap on repeat)And then it goes back,And then it goes backAnd then it goes backAnd then it goes
When I get olderWhen I get olderI will be stronger
They’ll call me ‘Freedom’Just like a wavin' flagJust like a wavin' flagJust like a wavin' flag, flag, flagJust like a wavin' flag
1) Born to a throne,Stronger than RomeBut violent-prone,Poor people zone,
But it's my home,All I have known,Where I got grown,Streets we would roam
Out of the darkness,I came the farthestAmong the hardest survivalLearn from these streets,It can be bleak,Accept no defeat,Surrender retreat
So we strugglin'Fightin' to eatAnd we wonderin'When we'll be freeSo we patiently waitFor that fateful dayIt's not far away,But for now we say,
CHORUS
2) So many wars,Settlin' scores,Bringing us promises,Leaving us poor,
I heard them say,Love is the wayLove is the answer,That's what they say
But look how they treat us,Make us believersWe fight their battles,Then they deceive us
Try to control us,They couldn't hold us'Cause we just move forwardLike Buffalo soldiers
So we strugglin'Fightin' to eatAnd we wonderin'When we'll be freeSo we patiently waitFor that fateful dayIt's not far away,But for now we say,
CHORUS
How to move forward: Sing!Wavin’ Flag – by K’naan
‐ Oh oh oh oh ohGive me (you) freedom give me (you) fireGive me (you) reason take me (you) higherSee the champions take the field nowUnify us make us feel proudIn the streets our hands are liftingAs we lose our inhibitionCelebration it surrounds usEvery nation all around usSinging forever young Singing songs underneath the sunLet's rejoice in the beautiful gameAnd together at the end of the day We all say ‐
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1) When I get older I will be strongerThey’ll call me freedom just like the waving’ flagAnd then it goes back (x3) Oh oh oh oh oh
2) When I get older I will be strongerThey’ll call me freedom just like the waving’ flag
When I get older I will be strongerThey’ll call me freedom just like the waving’ flagSo wave your flag (x3) ‐ Oh oh oh oh oh
And everyone will be singing it And we all will be singing it So wave your flag…