In this new post, we´ll be focusing on one of the world´s current social issues, an issue which is affecting thousands and thousands of people in the world today. We Refugees is a documentary video named after Benjamin Zephaniah´s famous poem: WE REFUGEES was published in one of his most popular books, "Wicked World".
But, what does it mean to be a 'refugee'? Is it the same as being an immigrant?
And the answer is: .... Well, it´s not exactly the same!
A refugee is a person who has fled armed conflict or persecution and who is recognised as needing of international protection because it is too dangerous for them to return home. They are protected under international law by the 1951 refugee convention, which defines what a refugee is and outlines the basic rights afforded to them.
The convention’s basic principle is that refugees should not be expelled or returned to situations where their life and freedom would be under threat. Once someone has been recognised as a refugee, they are supposed to be given access to social housing and welfare benefits and helped to find a job and integrate into society. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that there are almost 60 million forcibly displaced people around the world, including those displaced within their own countries.
(Retrived from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/28/migrants-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-whats-the-difference )
WATCH the video and listen to real refugees talking about their personal experiences. Pay special attention to the reasons why they were forced to leave their home countries as well as to their future expectations.
We Refugees from Lutheran Community Services NW on Vimeo.
...Striking and moving, isnn´t it?
The video begins with a quotation from Zephaniah´s poem
We Refugees:
I come from a great old forest
I think it is now a field
And the people I once knew
Are not there now.
I think it is now a field
And the people I once knew
Are not there now.
Click HERE to read the complete poem WE REFUGEES online.
As you may have noticed, this poem is closely connected with the short story we´ve recently read and worked out in class, The Promised Land, by Frederik Mulapa.
COMPULSORY ACTIVITY:
1. Write down or stick a copy of the poem in your portfolio.
2. Practise reading it aloud.
3. Choose any two stanzas from the poem and explain them using your own words as far as possible.
4. What message do you think Zephaniah is trying to convey through this poem? Explain.
You may wish to leave us a message in the comments section below!
Grace
