"The relationships between immigrants and their hosts are very complex, and understanding these relationships requires a dialectical approach" (Martin & Nakayama, 2012). To me, this means that an immigrants relationship with their new host culture is difficult and hard to understand. There are many different relationships an immigrant can have with their host culture. "When immigrants value both the host and their heritage culture, they integrate" (Martin & Nakayama, 2012). I believe that is what is happening in the "Lincoln community home to refugees from around the world" article.
In this article, Moe Free came to the United States from Burma. He came with his wife and six children. He talked about how they didn't know any English so it was hard to go shopping or even just talk to someone from the US. But, "with the help of refugee resettlement programs offered in Lincoln, Free says he was able to bridge the gap" (Myers, 2011). Integration means that the immigrants keep their own heritage but also have interactions with people from the new culture they are in. I feel like Moe Free is doing just that because he wants to help other refugees (from both his own culture and others) but he is also learning English and doing things that Americans do. I think some refugees probably feel they are turning their back on their own culture if they integrate, but I don't feel that's the case at all. They can honor their culture by still eating the same foods (if available), and they can still speak their native language in the home, and can even still dress in their native clothes. It's just easier for them to integrate and be apart of American culture as well.
Communication is defined as "a symbolic process whereby reality is produced, maintained, repaired and transformed" (Martin & Nakayama, 2012). Therefore, an intercultural communication perspective can help inform the refugee resettlement process by maintaining spreading the word. There has to be a sender & receiver, a message,a channel, and a context. When all of those are present, communication is easier and makes it more possible. The message is obviously the refugee process. The sender would be those spreading the word about refugees in Nebraska. The receiver would be those learning about the refugee process. People who are passionate about this subject will always be interested in producing communication about this topic. The communication can be between people of different cultures or people of the same culture. As long as the word is being spread about how to help refugees, it will be a good thing.
Works Cited
Mary Pipher On The Plight Of Refugees In America - YouTube.
(2012, September 6). YouTube. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OHCJ6NvvsU
Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2012). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.
Myers, E. (December 5, 2011) Lincoln Community Home to Refugees from Around the World. NewsNetNebraska. Retrieved from: http://www.newsnetnebraska.org/news/lincoln-community-home-to-refugees-from-around-the-world/
Tennessee Office for Refugees | Catholic Charities of
Tennessee . (n.d.). Welcome | Catholic Charities of Tennessee . Retrieved March 7, 2013, from
http://www.cctenn.org/tor
I like the information and content you included in your blog. Also, interesting video you used.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they are not turning their back on their own culture, but simply showing appreciation for the new culture and being open minded about this new opportunity. It is important to realize that being a refugee does not mean loosing your culture, but saving it. I really enjoy the quote at the end with the picture!
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