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Thoughts on a recent article in my local paper that talks about the difficulty faced by refugees.

According to a recent article, 200 Iraqi refugees have moved to North Carolina since 2007.  They all came with hope in the American Dream.  Instead of prosperity, they have found poverty and social isolaiton.  Mark Kadel, director of the North Carolina office of World Relief was quoted as saying “We’re not going to spoon-feed them just like a little child.  They’re going to have to start at the bottom and work their way up, just like an American.” 

This comment struck a cord with me for many reasons, the first being that it sounded pretty condescending coming from a prominent figure in an organization who’s mission is to transform the most vulnerable people economically, socially, and spiritually.  The second reason is that as a black person in America, I know that there is no such thing as being “just like an American” even when born in this country.  In America, more often than not, starting at the bottom is a luxury non-whites are not afforded.  We start many feet beneath the bottom and are required to circumvent many obstacles in order to get to the starting line.

I feel sorry for the Iraqi’s that came here expecting a brighter future to immediately materalize.  Once the expectation is ripped from their eyes, they will see that life as a non-white American is a struggle.  It is a battle to succeed.  A battle that may take a lifetime.  Also, once success is obtained . . . .it is no guarantee to living the American Dream free of all the obstacles you faced to get to the mountaintop, Henry Louis Gates Jr. is an example of that.