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The Somali Experience
The purpose of this section is to challenge 'single stories.' By providing relevant examples of Somali Refugees in the United States, we hope to highlight the diversity within this community and the struggles they continue to face.
As you read, ask yourself:
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Does this example differ from what I thought Somali refugees to be?
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Is there a bias or stereotype I have been functioning on that is wrong?
Essential Timestamps
1:28-1:51
2:31-2:50
Somali Refugee, Dr. Ibrahim
Dr. Ibrahim shares her journey as a refugee coming into Seattle. She recounts her experience of culture shock and how the experience led to what we can call, 'mini-crises.' Dr. Libhrahim highlights the strain and isolation people face while resettling in a new country due to not knowing about the cultural norms, rules, and behaviors. She relates to that sense of helplessness experienced when people struggle to adapt, especially when they do it without aid from the host culture.
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"It's the support that we're not giving them that makes them different than me. It's not anything inherent to one particular person." - said Dr. Ibrahim.
Refugee Parenting
An interesting resettlement element is how parenting evolves in a new host culture. Somalia is a collectivistic society, while the U.S. is individualistic. The collectivist perspective translates to parenting in that many Somalis live in multigenerational households that work together to raise the next generation. A cultural barrier in the U.S. is the individualistic values that they are not accustomed to, and it becomes a point of tension between the children and parents. The higher amount of freedom for children in the U.S. is not generally well-received. It is seen as a loss of respect, and it isn't easy to maintain their traditional family structure.
It triggers an ethnocentrism reaction since many authorities and host culture members look down on the traditional values, resulting in the distance of indifference. The distance of indifference refers to how U.S. folk and systems insensitively communicate with outgroups about their traditions. Ultimately, immigrant parents and children deal with the tension and adaptation of living in a new individualistic culture with different family frameworks.
Essential Timestamps
1:40-2:19
2:30-2:41
"What do you want people to know about Muslim women?"
In the Latte Talks Podcast, we discussed the negative and the positives of the St. Cloud community embracing the Somali community. There is still more to learn from the Somali refugees about how they want to be treated and perceived that often gets overlooked. Giving into violent stereotypes of Somali and Muslims promotes xenophobia and racism. We may not always be aware of the misconceptions of Somali refugees that we hold, yet they may result in a distance of disparagement and avoidance. Specifically, people may have animosity toward the perceived outgroup and reduce interactions that would overturn misconceptions of whom Somali refugees are by creating interpersonal connections.
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"I am proud to be a Muslim, I am proud to be an American, and I'm proud of who I am. When you see refugees, do not assume they're bad people."
How Somali Refugees Feel About Living in the U.S.
This article discusses the experiences and feelings of Somali women in the states. The women interviewed in this article shared elements of the culture they found difficult to adapt to, like the sexual and romantic norms, language, diving, and weather. These women experience acculturation, learning the elements of the host culture, and deculturation, suspending home culture. Somali women share how they have become more independent by not depending on the men of their families and having access to legal rights, education access, and job opportunities.
Culture Shock and Assumptions, Ilhan Omar
In this video, Ilhan Omar introduces her new book, This is What America Looks Like, and shares her misconceptions/stereotypes about America before immigrating to the United States. Like many other foreign Americans, Omar shares her idolization of America and what it means for immigrant success. After moving to the United States, she becomes reoriented, realizing many of the misconceptions and single stories she once had are false. This video is another example verifying the predominance of stereotypes and single stories that predetermine some people's opinions and perspectives, often coloring those perspectives with false information.
Essential Timestamps
17:25-18:20