It is ironic, isn’t it, that as a nation made up almost entirely of immigrants, few being full Native American, some American residents still harbor fear of refugees entering our country. Illustrating such facts, the fleeing of Syrian refugees and immigrants traveling aborad has been the topic of discussion for quite some time now, with varying opinions on the matter regarding our nation’s borders. In such circumstances, I’ve often questioned why we, as Americans, hold refugees accountable for the religious and racial persecution from which they are fleeing. The following essay will analyze The Middle of Everywhere: The World’s Refugees Come to Our Town and the various collection of stories told by refugees transitioning into America and American
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Appendix 2 discusses the advantageous facets of helping newcomers in America as those of: broadening cultural horizons, addressing language barriers, a feeling of pride, and a new viewpoint of America and American culture. For those interested in becoming a cultural broker for English Language Learners (ELL), the appendix outlines two key rules when working individuals of which English is not their main language, they are as follows, “Don’t assume anything and Ask questions.” (Pipher, p. Appendix 1) . Pipher describes, in more detail, her specific role as a cultural broker in Chapter 5, Children of Hope, Children of Tears and her time volunteering with twenty-five ELL students at Sycamore Elementary School. Additional focus on the author as a cultural broker is discussed in Chapter 2, The Beautiful Laughing Sisters—An Arrival Story, in which experiences such as driving lessons, holiday celebrations and various other acculturation skills are aided by …show more content…
It angers, terrifies, and discourages newcomers.” (Pipher, p. 106). The Middle of Everywhere: The World’s Refugees Come to Our Town discusses the fear many refugees experience prior to and during interactions with this “great American dragon”, nevertheless refugees must bend at the will of the dragon at the risk of being deported. Despite this, the author does embrace one encouraging story regarding the INS and its treatment of refugees. While one employee may not represent the masses of this organization, the author goes on to state “An INS official asked a man from a camp in Saudi Arabia if he wanted to come to America. He said sorrowfully, ‘I have no one in America.’ The official held out his hand to him and said, ‘May I have the honor of being your first American friend?’” (Pipher, p.
Appendix 2 discusses the advantageous facets of helping newcomers in America as those of: broadening cultural horizons, addressing language barriers, a feeling of pride, and a new viewpoint of America and American culture. For those interested in becoming a cultural broker for English Language Learners (ELL), the appendix outlines two key rules when working individuals of which English is not their main language, they are as follows, “Don’t assume anything and Ask questions.” (Pipher, p. Appendix 1) . Pipher describes, in more detail, her specific role as a cultural broker in Chapter 5, Children of Hope, Children of Tears and her time volunteering with twenty-five ELL students at Sycamore Elementary School. Additional focus on the author as a cultural broker is discussed in Chapter 2, The Beautiful Laughing Sisters—An Arrival Story, in which experiences such as driving lessons, holiday celebrations and various other acculturation skills are aided by …show more content…
It angers, terrifies, and discourages newcomers.” (Pipher, p. 106). The Middle of Everywhere: The World’s Refugees Come to Our Town discusses the fear many refugees experience prior to and during interactions with this “great American dragon”, nevertheless refugees must bend at the will of the dragon at the risk of being deported. Despite this, the author does embrace one encouraging story regarding the INS and its treatment of refugees. While one employee may not represent the masses of this organization, the author goes on to state “An INS official asked a man from a camp in Saudi Arabia if he wanted to come to America. He said sorrowfully, ‘I have no one in America.’ The official held out his hand to him and said, ‘May I have the honor of being your first American friend?’” (Pipher, p.