September 6, 2005: Headlines: COS - Benin: Speaking Out: The Times-Union: Benin Peace Corps Volunteer Erin Wasserman says Story on refugees was condescending
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September 6, 2005: Headlines: COS - Benin: Speaking Out: The Times-Union: Benin Peace Corps Volunteer Erin Wasserman says Story on refugees was condescending
Benin Peace Corps Volunteer Erin Wasserman says Story on refugees was condescending
One of the major misinterpretations of West Africa is of their "primitive and crude" way of life. Their home was most likely a circular or rectangular mud house with a thatched roof, which is actually quite intricate to build. Furthermore, no shelter created by one's family, which protects them from the cold, robbers, and night animals, could be called "crude." Using words like labored ("labored to sign their names") implies stupidity.
Benin Peace Corps Volunteer Erin Wasserman says Story on refugees was condescending
Story on refugees was condescending
The Times-Union
Albany, N.Y.
September 6, 2005
I was appalled by the Aug. 28 article, "Land of opportunity fertile for new roots." The two families have not been transported across centuries.
Eighty percent of the world's population lives below U.S. standards; it is beyond egocentric to assert that the United States should be the "standard of living" worldwide in the 21st century.
One of the major misinterpretations of West Africa is of their "primitive and crude" way of life. Their home was most likely a circular or rectangular mud house with a thatched roof, which is actually quite intricate to build.
Furthermore, no shelter created by one's family, which protects them from the cold, robbers, and night animals, could be called "crude." Using words like labored ("labored to sign their names") implies stupidity.
Most likely, the writer has had little experience with West Africans. Penmanship and one's signature is important to many West Africans of previous French colonies. The next year of these two families' lives will be riddled by fatigue, frustration, information overload, stress, loneliness, a confused desire to integrate and yet remain true to their roots, a desire to find friends who understand them and speak their language, and a constant struggle to learn and understand American culture and mental logic with little assistance.
Why not give these people a break and lay off the condescending attitude? It is important to understand the difficult and stressful life they just left as refugees. Appreciate the strength, courage and determination these two families have exhibited by simply stepping onto new soil.
Erin Wasserman
Queensbury
The writer served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, West Africa.
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Story Source: The Times-Union
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Benin; Speaking Out
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