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
I liked a lot this poem, I think it is specially symphathetic with the refugees problem and it sounds so commited that I felt the sadness that exile leads to.
ResponderEliminarWhat a moving video, It's so sad to know that while we are safed at our homes there are people around world terrify for different reasons.
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion Zephania is traying to show us that everyone can be refugees one day. It's only depends on one political mistake, for example.
It is a very sad poetry which reflect an actuality, the author tells, that nobody is exempt to leave his land, that it is just necessary to somebody decides it, to start with the exile of people, throught an agreement either of any kind.
ResponderEliminarI really liked the poem by Benjamin Zephaniah. And the video was interesting too. Many thanks for introducing such a contemporary and significant topic. We can't remain indifferent to what's happenning to millions of innocent people. At least, not in our hearts. Most of us wouldn't know how to help, we simply don't see how. But I think that raising awareness is a nice first step.
ResponderEliminarNow, if you will allow me, I would like to propose the reading of this next poem (I'm not the author)
Refugees
They have no need of help
so do not tell me
these haggard faces could belong to you or me
should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
chancers and scroungers
layabouts and loungers
with bombs up their sleeves
cut-throats and thieves.
They are not
welcome here
we should make them
go back to where they came from
they can not
share our food
share our homes
share our countries
Instead let us
build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
a place should only belong to those who are born there
do not be so stupid to think that
the world can be looked at another way.-
We can read this text backwards, one line at a time.
I wanted to post this because, not long ago, I have watched a documentary about new nationalism in the heart of Europe (directed by Tomás Rafa). It produced me quite a shock to see these anti-immigrant and refugees political demonstrations in western Europe. They looked very bullying and threatening. They were saying the kind of things that we can read in this last poem. But remember to read it backwards! :)
Many thanks for your personal contributions to this post JULIANA!!! The poem is great.....provided you read it backwards, of course!
EliminarWhile I was first reading it, I wondered why you were sharing it with the class.... I could not figure it out until I finally read it backwards. Really interesting!!
I hope all other students in both classes give it a chance!
As I was writing this poem in my folder, I noticed that it is really sad, there are many lonely people in the world. That's a reality.. Zephaniah reflects in his poem that although he wants to return to his lands, he must and wants to go on living ..
ResponderEliminarFrom the moment I started to read, I feel sad and it was inevitable to remember the several cases of dead people trying to escape from Siria's war, and many countries denying the permanence on them. Cause as the poem says, "we can all be refugees" and we should show mercy to these people who had suffered overmuch.
ResponderEliminarIt's very touchy and it is so sad to know that there are some people in this situation expecially in this century. I liked the poem so much!
ResponderEliminarGreat Video
The current refugee crisis is an issue we must be aware of. Getting to know their personal experience is a great way to start.
ResponderEliminarThanks for the vid!
I think it is a little sad but it is helpfull for them to share their own experiences, we can understand them but it isn't the same as living their lives.
ResponderEliminarthis poem by Benjamin Zephaniah is very sad. He feels so bad he says he is a lie
ResponderEliminarThe poem of Benjamin Zephaniah it´s really hard to think in our situation... Because we live in a country without that kind of problems... Maybe it´s not my best answer, but in my point of view maybe we should try to give a chance to the refugees to live in our country.
ResponderEliminarThe change begins in ourselves and we have to do something for the people who cannot the same lucky as us...
I will give two things to contribute with this post...
The first thing it´s a note about the Syrian refugees in Almirante Brown.
http://debrown.com.ar/adrogue-recibira-a-refugiados-sirios/
And the second thing it´s a song from the band "Living Colour"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZoY8HfcBlg
Thanks for the space to contribute miss!
Many thanks for your personal contributions to this post GONZALO!! I didn´t know about these Syriam refugees in Almirante Brown. What a great iniciative!! We should all read this article!
EliminarAs regards the song by the band Living Colour, I have to admit I´ve heard it before but never really listened to it! Great lyrics!
I loved this stanza in particular:
"History's a lie that they teach you in school
A fraudulent view called the golden rule
A peaceful land that was born civilized
Was robbed of its riches, its freedom, its pride."
I invite all the other students in the class to listen to th is song attentively! It is so much related to Zephaniah's poem!!
This poem is really sad but it reflect the reality we live nowadays. A time ago, I had to do an investigation about just the refugees. It in incredible how poor and innocent people have to suffer the harassment from others For just being or thinking different, and even must escape to be entitled to live. It's really sad how the man can hurt anotherone
ResponderEliminarWhat a moving video! I suprised myself about each people stories. They were very touching. It is incredible to know that while we are safed at our homes there are people around world suffering for different reasons. It is reflect different kind of wars which is happeing nowasdays. from my point of view i think it is an importat issue that it should be considerig.
ResponderEliminarthe poem was simply great and very touching at the same time.
I am really sorry about my delate but i have had some problem with my computer. it was a pain in the neck but it is solving now.
Amazing! It is the truth.
ResponderEliminar