Until you touch the pulse and understand the plight of individuals who are marginalized or have been thrust into unspeakable circumstances they never wanted to be in, one cannot be so judgemental about a person’s unfortunate situation they never thought possible. After I finished reading the third book on the list for the 2024North Carolina Readsstatewide book club, American Refuge by Diya Abdo, Ph.D., there was a deep sense of sadness that sunk into my spirit after reading about real people, real refugees, and their heartbreaking stories as they fled danger and death from their countries. Almost every day we hear or read something in the news about people escaping horrifying conditions to find a place of acceptance and refuge for themselves and their families. Thank you NCHumanities for including this selection on the reading list, so we can raise our level of awareness and understanding of those who seek a safe place for resettlement.
I am pleased to share a portion of my review of Diya Abdo’s book regarding support for refugee resettlement in the U.S. She is the founder of Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) on the campus of Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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Anybody can become a refugee.
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The terms refugee, immigrant, migrant, asylum seeker, and undocumented are used interchangeably, and the conflating terms result in ideological stances that have real and negative consequences. This ideological framework gets extended to refugees fermented by the political rhetoric that can forcibly displace individuals seeking succor at our borders as bad. Such dangerous linguistic cries ‘worthy of extermination’.
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If we would put ourselves in the shoes of a refugee, having to flee a home that we love but has become dangerous, hostile, and deadly, we would understand the barriers we would face if we sought a safe haven in a new country foreign to us. We couldn’t comprehend the scope of adjusting to ‘everything’ new.
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Human beings have always moved – and they have done so largely to survive. The story of human migration is twin to the story of humanity. This book left me in a pool of tears. The stories compiled by Diya Abdo are real. The refugees featured in this book once lived in homes and countries they loved but left against their will to relocate to foreign territory which was never something they chose to do. There are cases where one can be a refugee in their own country. One does not always become a refugee, many times they are born a refugee.
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Diya Abdo introduces us to refugees who carried trauma by reluctantly leaving their homes, families, and countries and relocating to new homes, which led to cultural misunderstandings as they resettled in the United States. The stories of the seven refugees who were welcomed by an organization Diya founded, Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) which leveraged resources at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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Not everyone is welcoming of the influx of refugees who have been exiled. It is horrible that those who have become refugees have been racialized. To flee your home country to save your life and that of your family because of your race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion is traumatic. Having no idea what to expect on the other side of their long, arduous journey is difficult, scary, and exhausting for these newcomers.
Diya Abdo, Ph.D., Founder of Every Campus A Refuge
The arrogance of assumptions does not recognize the challenges refugees face when they first arrive in a new place or country where language barriers make it even more difficult. Mistreatment, abuse, exploitation, and racism are elements that leave them feeling traumatized and helpless. The story of human migration is twin to the story of humanity. This book brings those faces of escape and hope to look at our hearts and allow our empathy and compassion to overflow with understanding. You can pick up your copy of American Refuge on Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble. You can also follow Diya onΒ FacebookΒ or Emerson Collective.
Refugees are in huge numbers all over the world. The political unrest and wars have displaced millions. We need to be more understanding and accepting of these people
Thank you for sharing, Kym. π Itβs hard for most of us to face uncertainty, but in a new country after losing everything youβve always known, and for survivalβ¦Can you even imagine?
Thank you for sharing this Kym .. raising attention so needed, I’ll be back to listen later as it’s a vital share and deserves the time to puruse and listen to closely. xo π
Dear Kymmy, thank you for sharing your commitment to your state’s reading initiative and for highlighting Dr. Diya Abdo’s story. Voices like hers, often ignored, are so important. ππ» Your comment, “faces of escape and hope” reminded of another book about courage and survival, Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I highly recommend her book.
Oh my gosh Kymber, you said a mouthful my friend. Sensitivity, empathy, compassion, understanding…if only we would practice humanitarianism and not divisiveness. It all starts with us. Thanks so much for your warm heart ladybug! π€ππ
Absolutely Sadje my dear. If we would put ourselves in their shoes, we would want others to practice empathy, love and compassion. Thank you for chiming in my friend. π₯°ππΌπ
Oh Crystal, when I watch these reports on television or online and I read the viperous words that come out of some people’s mouths, they can’t imagine what these challenges are like, because I think they think they are better than these individuals and don’t believe something like that could ever happen to them. But oh, it can. Thanks so much for your empathetic words my friend. πππ₯°
Oh Rosaliene, I appreciate you. ππΌ You can certainly understand how oppression can cloud our thinking when we think we know it all, but are really clueless. Stories like those included in this book, make me more humble and grateful! πππ€ Thanks so much!
Cindy dawwwlinnnkkkkk, I know these stories are ones that touch your heart and to simply read about the things these refugees went through, starting with fleeing their homes to entering this country, I can’t imagine all of the barriers they had to face. It is truly heartbreaking. Thanks so much for your supportive voice my Energizer G’mama! πππππ₯°
Thanks a million Sistah Pat. It is truly a collection of stories that make you stop and be grateful for where we are and what we have. πππΌπ₯°
Thanks so much for your introspect and compassionate heart Michele my Belle. I appreciate the recommended read by Immaculee Ilibagiza. Such stories remind me to be grateful because there’s someone else who’d love to be in your shoes! Have a magical weekend my Dancing Queen! π₯°ππ Hugs and smooches! π€π₯π
Love your book reviews and this one was stellar and particularly moving, Kym. Keep reading, and keep sharing from that great big heart of yours, my compassionate friend. π€π₯°β€οΈ
Wonderful book review, it looks very interesting one.
My dear friend Kym you are an amzng person always care and helping others.
Thank’s for share, blessings to you and yours. Have a lovely night!
Cheers! Abrazote mi amiga!
Oh my goodness Dora you warm my heart girlfriend. Thank you so much for your kind comments. This book certainly tugged at my heartstrings, but it makes me more humble for what I have and where I am. I appreciate you sistah girl. πππ₯°
Oh my dear Elvira, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. It is a book that makes you humble and appreciate the things you are blessed with that others may wish they have. Bless you mi amiga. May joy, love and peace surround you abundantly. Abrazote! ππ₯ππβ¨π₯°πΊπ΅β
Oh I appreciate that Wynne. It was an emotional read, but it makes you thankful for what you have and where you are. Enjoy the rest of your weekend girlfriend. πππ₯°ππ
Always a pleasure visit your blog my dear friend Kym Ambassador of Poetry. Sounds an amazing book.
Thank’s! For you love, peace, joy, abundantly. Blessings! Abrazote!
ππ₯°πππ§ππ«ββ¨π€ππ«Ά
Such a thoughtful and timely review, Kym. There’s so much can be said about “The arrogance of assumptions” when it comes to the challenges refugees face. And YES, what some of those people making assumptions don’t realise is that anyone can become a refugee, as you well put it. Thank you for sharing this book!
Oh my dear Khaya, thank you for your empathy and compassionate heart. It’s hard to understand the plight of such a hardship that refugees face, but it is so easy to be judgemental and make assumptions when one is clueless and arrogant. This is a very real matter that we see played out on newsreels daily. I appreciate you sistah queen! πππ€ππΌπ₯°
Thanks so much for stopping by Queen B. π These stories truly tugged at my heartstrings. I can’t imagine what these refugees have to go through. Thanks for your compassionate heart. π€ππ€β¨πππΌπ
Oh my goodness Adelheid, I see what people who are fleeing their homes from danger in the midst of a terrible storm or wildfire have to face. I can’t imagine having to permanently find somewhere else to go to save your life and your family. I appreciate you my friend. Thanks for your compassionate heart. πππΌπ€ππ₯°
My heart just breaks when I think of their plight. You have described it so well, and this book is important! Thank you for bringing this up where everyone can see it. I wish more people would put themselves in other peoples’ shoes so they would understand. π©·π·πΊ
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Refugees are in huge numbers all over the world. The political unrest and wars have displaced millions. We need to be more understanding and accepting of these people
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Heartbreaking. “The story of human migration is twin to the story of humanity.”
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Heartbreaking Kym πͺ
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Thank you for sharing, Kym. π Itβs hard for most of us to face uncertainty, but in a new country after losing everything youβve always known, and for survivalβ¦Can you even imagine?
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Thanks for bringing this work to our attention, Kym β€
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Thank you for sharing this Kym .. raising attention so needed, I’ll be back to listen later as it’s a vital share and deserves the time to puruse and listen to closely. xo π
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Well stated, Sistah Kym.
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Dear Kymmy, thank you for sharing your commitment to your state’s reading initiative and for highlighting Dr. Diya Abdo’s story. Voices like hers, often ignored, are so important. ππ» Your comment, “faces of escape and hope” reminded of another book about courage and survival, Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I highly recommend her book.
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Oh my gosh Kymber, you said a mouthful my friend. Sensitivity, empathy, compassion, understanding…if only we would practice humanitarianism and not divisiveness. It all starts with us. Thanks so much for your warm heart ladybug! π€ππ
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Absolutely Sadje my dear. If we would put ourselves in their shoes, we would want others to practice empathy, love and compassion. Thank you for chiming in my friend. π₯°ππΌπ
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AMEN Brian. I can’t understand how some people can be so cold and callous. Thank you for having such a compassionate heart my friend. ππ₯°π
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Oh gosh Maggie, heartbreaking in more ways than one. Thanks so much my friend. πππΌπ
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Oh Crystal, when I watch these reports on television or online and I read the viperous words that come out of some people’s mouths, they can’t imagine what these challenges are like, because I think they think they are better than these individuals and don’t believe something like that could ever happen to them. But oh, it can. Thanks so much for your empathetic words my friend. πππ₯°
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Oh Rosaliene, I appreciate you. ππΌ You can certainly understand how oppression can cloud our thinking when we think we know it all, but are really clueless. Stories like those included in this book, make me more humble and grateful! πππ€ Thanks so much!
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Oh yes thatβs what we all need to practice. Thanks Kym
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Cindy dawwwlinnnkkkkk, I know these stories are ones that touch your heart and to simply read about the things these refugees went through, starting with fleeing their homes to entering this country, I can’t imagine all of the barriers they had to face. It is truly heartbreaking. Thanks so much for your supportive voice my Energizer G’mama! πππππ₯°
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Thanks a million Sistah Pat. It is truly a collection of stories that make you stop and be grateful for where we are and what we have. πππΌπ₯°
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Thanks so much for your introspect and compassionate heart Michele my Belle. I appreciate the recommended read by Immaculee Ilibagiza. Such stories remind me to be grateful because there’s someone else who’d love to be in your shoes! Have a magical weekend my Dancing Queen! π₯°ππ Hugs and smooches! π€π₯π
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I appreciate you Sadje. BTW, how’s your daughter? π₯°πππΌ
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Thanks Kym. She is much better now. Recovering well. Thanks for asking π
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Oh how awesome. So glad to hear that! π₯°ππΌπ
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xoxo Sending you lots of hugs.
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Love your book reviews and this one was stellar and particularly moving, Kym. Keep reading, and keep sharing from that great big heart of yours, my compassionate friend. π€π₯°β€οΈ
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You’re most welcome. π Thank you for keeping your readers informed and educated. Hugs and smooches to you and happy weekending. π€π₯π
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Many thanks dear friend ππΌπππΌ
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Wonderful book review, it looks very interesting one.
My dear friend Kym you are an amzng person always care and helping others.
Thank’s for share, blessings to you and yours. Have a lovely night!
Cheers! Abrazote mi amiga!
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I know πͺ
My pleasure ππ₯°πΉ
Thank you for sharing π€π«π€
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Thank you for bringing light to this important topic and heartbreaking circumstances, Kym.
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β€
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π€ππ₯°ππ
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Oh my goodness Dora you warm my heart girlfriend. Thank you so much for your kind comments. This book certainly tugged at my heartstrings, but it makes me more humble for what I have and where I am. I appreciate you sistah girl. πππ₯°
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Awww, thanks a million Michelina and the same to you too my dear. Cheers π₯ and have a lovely evening! πππππ₯°
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It’s always my pleasure Sadje. π€ππ
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Oh my dear Elvira, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. It is a book that makes you humble and appreciate the things you are blessed with that others may wish they have. Bless you mi amiga. May joy, love and peace surround you abundantly. Abrazote! ππ₯ππβ¨π₯°πΊπ΅β
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Oh I appreciate that Wynne. It was an emotional read, but it makes you thankful for what you have and where you are. Enjoy the rest of your weekend girlfriend. πππ₯°ππ
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πππ
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Always a pleasure visit your blog my dear friend Kym Ambassador of Poetry. Sounds an amazing book.
Thank’s! For you love, peace, joy, abundantly. Blessings! Abrazote!
ππ₯°πππ§ππ«ββ¨π€ππ«Ά
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Such a thoughtful and timely review, Kym. There’s so much can be said about “The arrogance of assumptions” when it comes to the challenges refugees face. And YES, what some of those people making assumptions don’t realise is that anyone can become a refugee, as you well put it. Thank you for sharing this book!
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Thanks so much for your sweet comment my Queen of Erotic Romance and Passionate Mystery. Abrazote mi amiga! π₯°ππ
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Oh my dear Khaya, thank you for your empathy and compassionate heart. It’s hard to understand the plight of such a hardship that refugees face, but it is so easy to be judgemental and make assumptions when one is clueless and arrogant. This is a very real matter that we see played out on newsreels daily. I appreciate you sistah queen! πππ€ππΌπ₯°
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Aww! Always a pleasure my dear friend Kym & Ambassador of Poetry.
Abrazote mi amiga! ππ₯°ππβΊοΈ
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Kym what a great review!!!! Thank you so much for sharing.
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“… having to flee a home that we love but has become dangerous, hostile, and deadly…”
This is something that we, all, wouldn’t want to happen. And this is such an important share, Kym. Thank you!
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Thanks so much Elvira! Right back at ya mi amiga! Abrazote! π₯°ππππ₯
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Thanks so much for stopping by Queen B. π These stories truly tugged at my heartstrings. I can’t imagine what these refugees have to go through. Thanks for your compassionate heart. π€ππ€β¨πππΌπ
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Oh my goodness Adelheid, I see what people who are fleeing their homes from danger in the midst of a terrible storm or wildfire have to face. I can’t imagine having to permanently find somewhere else to go to save your life and your family. I appreciate you my friend. Thanks for your compassionate heart. πππΌπ€ππ₯°
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