I watched the TedTalk, Luma Mufleh: Don’t Feel Sorry for Refugees — Believe in Them. This talk challenged me in a number of ways.
At the beginning of the talk, Luma identifies herself as a Gay, Muslim, Immigrant. She reveals she is the daughter of a refuge, and admits that when she was eight years old she too was wary of the people at a refugee camp. She struggled with her identity, but as a result has been able to make many people who are displaced feel welcomed in her life.
Statistics:
- 65.3 Million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes because of war or persecution
- The largest number, 11 million are from Syria
- 33,952 people flee their homes daily
- The vast majority remain in refugee camps
- The United States resettles less than .1%
Quotes:
- Don’t ever think people are beneath you, or that you have nothing to learn from others.
- Don’t feel sorry for them, believe in them.
- When you find yourself choosing between where your from and survival the question, “Where you are from?” becomes loaded.
Two lessons I learned:
- Luma’s life was touched by a lady named Ms. Sarah, a Southern Baptist. Although the talk was not about Ms. Sarah I was touched by Ms. Sarah’s testimony to be salt and light to Luma.
- Luma heard about the most grotesque acts of humanity from refugees but she says they focus on hope and a love for life.
Two Reflection Questions:
- How can you and I be a source of hope to those who are displaced?
- How can you and I live a more full life?