Iraqi Refugees: A Pledge for the Displaced
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Recently I had the privilege of representing Refugees International at Colby College. Colby hosted the event titled ‘The Quiet Catastrophe’ to highlight both the magnitude of the Iraqi refugee crisis and the feeble response by the United States.
As I drove to Waterville from Portland’s jetport, I was contemplating my remarks and how I would relate the trials and tribulations that the Iraqis refugees face on a daily basis. However, I didn’t notice how fast I was going until I noticed the signature blue and reds of a police cruiser behind me. Knowing the drill, I immediately reached into my pocket, and pulled out my driver’s license, a basic piece of identification. As I handed the license over, and prepared for the stern talking to I was to receive, it occurred to me that we in the United States tend to take for granted the status we have as citizens and the ease with which we can travel, work, and live.
While I knew I was going to be punished in some measure by the Maine State Trooper for driving too fast, I also knew that my right to stay in the state, and the country for that matter, was not at risk. A simple plastic card, with a picture and an address is all it takes – and it’s a reality that Iraqi refugees don’t have. The vast majority of Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria don’t have the luxury of legalized status in the countries in which they live, forcing them to exist in a state of perpetual fear and anxiety, not knowing when or where they may be arrested and threatened with detention or even worse, imprisonment.
The question was raised by the students about how do we help -- how does a student or an activist in the United States help support those Iraqis who have been displaced. The best answer is that all Americans -- students, activists and advocates must continue to demand of our elected officials, specifically the White House, to step forward, acknowledge the crisis, and take hold of the response. It is in our best interest to continue to demand of President Bush to take the lead and responsibility for assuring that millions of Iraqis have access to food, shelter, medical care and education, rather than languishing in urban slums and with the potential to further destabilize the region. It is unfair and unrealistic to expect Iraq’s neighboring countries or our allies to respond more robustly to the needs of Iraqis than we ourselves have. Raising our voices and urging our friends and family to act, is not only instrumental in instigating a official response, it also demonstrates to the Iraqis themselves that at least the citizens of the United States recognize and are concerned about their plight.
-Jake Kurtzer
Sign the pledge for Iraqi refugees here. This Humanitarian Pledge is a joint campaign by the Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC), Refugees International, and other partnering organizations. Learn more about the pledge at www.IraqActionDays.org.
As I drove to Waterville from Portland’s jetport, I was contemplating my remarks and how I would relate the trials and tribulations that the Iraqis refugees face on a daily basis. However, I didn’t notice how fast I was going until I noticed the signature blue and reds of a police cruiser behind me. Knowing the drill, I immediately reached into my pocket, and pulled out my driver’s license, a basic piece of identification. As I handed the license over, and prepared for the stern talking to I was to receive, it occurred to me that we in the United States tend to take for granted the status we have as citizens and the ease with which we can travel, work, and live.
While I knew I was going to be punished in some measure by the Maine State Trooper for driving too fast, I also knew that my right to stay in the state, and the country for that matter, was not at risk. A simple plastic card, with a picture and an address is all it takes – and it’s a reality that Iraqi refugees don’t have. The vast majority of Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria don’t have the luxury of legalized status in the countries in which they live, forcing them to exist in a state of perpetual fear and anxiety, not knowing when or where they may be arrested and threatened with detention or even worse, imprisonment.
The question was raised by the students about how do we help -- how does a student or an activist in the United States help support those Iraqis who have been displaced. The best answer is that all Americans -- students, activists and advocates must continue to demand of our elected officials, specifically the White House, to step forward, acknowledge the crisis, and take hold of the response. It is in our best interest to continue to demand of President Bush to take the lead and responsibility for assuring that millions of Iraqis have access to food, shelter, medical care and education, rather than languishing in urban slums and with the potential to further destabilize the region. It is unfair and unrealistic to expect Iraq’s neighboring countries or our allies to respond more robustly to the needs of Iraqis than we ourselves have. Raising our voices and urging our friends and family to act, is not only instrumental in instigating a official response, it also demonstrates to the Iraqis themselves that at least the citizens of the United States recognize and are concerned about their plight.
-Jake Kurtzer
Sign the pledge for Iraqi refugees here. This Humanitarian Pledge is a joint campaign by the Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC), Refugees International, and other partnering organizations. Learn more about the pledge at www.IraqActionDays.org.
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