Refugee?

[ducklite]

While technically refugee is an acceptable word, I prefer survivor.

Survivor is associated with strength and optimism, while refugee has an air of hopelesssness and despair.

Just my opinion.

Anne

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

There was an article in the Dallas Morning News about this yesterday. I find it laughable and ludicrous that people are debating about terminology. There are plenty of terms far more offensive than "refugee". I can't believe people with so many other things to worry about find it necessary to stand around and gripe about semantics.

 

[peachgirl]

It's beyond absurd.

What's absurd is that with all the suffering and destruction that happened and is still happening, this is the issue you seemed focused on.


One has to wonder what you're real motivation is.

 

[Saffron]

A Limbaugh tactic? Hmmmm, that sounds like a tactic to discredit my point of view.

It's a fact. That's what Limbaugh does.

No, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the Congressional Black Caucus brought the topic up, in reponse to how the media was referring to the "refugees".

It's beyond absurd.

This what you said in response to a post here:

It's nice to see in a time of crisis, the PC crowd is out on patrol.

I thought this was directed at anyone who disagreed with the use of the word "refugee". I didn't know you were directing that at Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. I didn't know they posted on the boards.

 

[BuckNaked]

Exactly what job does Jesse think people can be pulled off of right now to start setting up the data-base? The rescues? The medical triage? The collection of food and clothing? I know that the data base is VERY important, but there are other more urgent priorities at the moment.

Yes, there are more urgent things at the moment, but in the AAR of this disaster, I think that it is imperative that the government consider developing a database and having it in place should this happen again. It could be developed after this is over, create teams of data processors and developers, and setting up processes with the Red Cross and other relief organizations that would enable them to gather information on people they are helping.

It is incredibly frustrating trying to find anyone in all of this mess.

 

[arminnie]

Takes two to debate. There's absolutely nothing disrespectfull about calling someone a "refugee". It's nice to see in a time of crisis, the PC crowd is out on patrol.

I am a refugee in Arkansas from the hurricane. To be totally truthful I was already here for my dad's surgery, but I remain here to take refuge from what's going on now.

I didn't know I was supposed to be offended. Was there an email or something that I missed?

I am maintaining a list of New Orleans people who have checked in with me. I am keeping track of where everyone is and am sending out daily emails as to everyone's status.

Should I let them know that they are now supposed to be offended at being refugees? I think they have other things they are worried about.

 

[Kermit]

Both refugee and evacuee mean that the person had to move. I prefer evacuee, since it is a bit more descriptive, but survivor and victim could refer to people affected by the storm who didn't have to move. They both have their place, since people in AL, MS, and parts of LA were very strongly affected but won't have to be out of their houses for months, but they're not interchangable.

 

[snowy76]

What's absurd is that with all the suffering and destruction that happened and is still happening, this is the issue you seemed focused on.

I vote for us to tell Jesse Jackson this too. He has the notoriety and respect to mobilize the help of a lot of people... and he's spending time on this?

I've heard people say that using "refugee" makes people sound like they're from the third world. To me, that's an insult to people from those countries. We are richer, but are no better, than they are. We shouldn't be worried about the word someone chooses.

 

[diznygirl]

I am a refugee in Arkansas from the hurricane. To be totally truthful I was already here for my dad's surgery, but I remain here to take refuge from what's going on now.

I didn't know I was supposed to be offended. Was there an email or something that I missed?

I am maintaining a list of New Orleans people who have checked in with me. I am keeping track of where everyone is and am sending out daily emails as to everyone's status.

Should I let them know that they are now supposed to be offended at being refugees? I think they have other things they are worried about.

I am glad to hear you are safe and you are helping to find others. Also glad to hear you aren't offended by the term refugee because you are going to hear it a lot over the next few months, maybe even for years.

Some of us are just concerned about lots of the little details including how some words can be considered offensive, and that they be used correctly according to their definition. I know that there are bigger fish to fry. But if you work for the media (like I used to) you find that a lot of time is spent trying to find just the right word.

Currently, I agree that it doesn't matter what you call them, just help them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Nobody's getting reparations for squat. There's no way for the city to afford it. Maybe no taxes for life--but I seriously doubt the treasure box has anything to give.

Geesh---what about Mississippi? It is not just a New Orleans tragedy.


As far as the name--I didn't think it was a big deal....but we associate refugees with 3rd world countries adn those fleeing a corrupt government.

When we flee a hurricane--we evacuate....and are called evacuees.

The term refugee has never been used with a hurricane---and b/c of the connotations of refuge of last resort--that is the only reason people are being called that. If "they" don't want to be called that--then we shouldn't call them that.

PC crap or not--we're called evacuees and have always been called evacuees.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the Congressional Black Caucus brought the topic up, in reponse to how the media was referring to the "refugees".

It's beyond absurd.

New Orleans news stations have requested they not be called that as well.

 

[arminnie]

Currently, I agree that it doesn't matter what you call them, just help them.

YES!! - lots of help

I personally would prefer not to be a "victim", but I won't be offended if someone refers to me that way. I just don't want think of myself as a victim - if that makes any sense?

But honestly I have so little to complain about compared to so many others.

I've already committed to cleaning out the apartment of an elderly woman that I know. She is almost 80 and on oxygen. She was so worried about her home.

I'll wait until they have power and water before I go back down. Give me a good pair of rubber gloves, and I'll tackle almost anything.

 

[mamaprincess]

exile: Enforced removal from one's native country.

People who have been exiled no longer have a country, they must seek entrance into another country and are usually looked upon as the throwaways or bad seeds of their native countries

These victims have not been exiled from their native country, they are in their native country.

We are not taking in the unwanted castoffs of other countries we are tending to the needs of our countrymen. Citizens of this country that deserve our utmost support.

To call them refugees is not that wildly popular term "politically incorrect", it is unintelligent.

 

[peachgirl]

It's called sarcasm. Just trying to point out how ridiculous it is for national figures, and even people around here, to object to using the proper term to refer to people.

jackskellingtonsgirl

I can't believe people with so many other things to worry about find it necessary to stand around and gripe about semantics.

snowy76

I vote for us to tell Jesse Jackson this too. He has the notoriety and respect to mobilize the help of a lot of people... and he's spending time on this?

So, I assume you all will be posting with similar criticisms of Bush, because he agrees with Jesse Jackson on this one......

Meanwhile, Bush objected to references to displaced Americans as "refugees."

"The people we're talking about are not refugees," he said. "They are Americans and they need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens." The president raised the subject during a meeting with service organizations that are helping with the relief effort.

 

[mamaprincess]

Thank you bush for understanding what it's about and thanks for posting his comments.

 

[Saffron]

Oh my gosh. Bush just made me smile! Miracles do happen!

 

[peachgirl]

Oh my gosh. Bush just made me smile! Miracles do happen!

I hope someone snapped a picture...that can't happen too often!

I guess they aren't going to indict Bush as they did Jesse.

Gosh, I wonder if it was who said it rather than what was said that was the problem????

 

[dawgsgirl]

I give out Food Stamps for a living. We are now giving out food stamps under the "National Refugee Act" which has special rules and regualtions to get the food to those in need faster. We were using the no-no word until today after we heard all the news. I think our new term is displaced persons. Mostly we just call them Katrinas!

 

[CheshireVal]

I don't see what the big deal is: refugee, evacuee, victim, etc.

They are people who had to flee from a horrible situation. I've been calling them refugees and will probably continue to do so.

 

[sodaseller]

Bush joins those opposed to word "refugees

WHITE HOUSE In the debate about how to describe those displaced by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush is joining those who don't like the word "refugees."

The president tells reporters, "The people we're talking about are not refugees, they are Americans."

And he adds, "They need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens."

Tom Petty said it best