Resettled refugees in America face a land of daunting obstacles
where small things—one person, one encounter—can make all the
difference in getting ahead or falling behind. Fleeing war
and violence, many refugees dream that moving to the United States
will be like going to Heaven. Instead, they enter a deeply unequal
American society, often at the bottom. Through the lived
experiences of families resettled from the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Blair Sackett and Annette Lareau reveal how a daunting
obstacle course of agencies and services can drastically alter
refugees’ experiences building a new life in America. In
these stories of struggle and hope, as one volunteer said, “you
see the American story.” For some families, minor mistakes create
catastrophes—food stamps cut off, educational opportunities
missed, benefits lost. Other families, with the help of volunteers
and social supports, escape these traps and take steps toward
reaching their dreams. Engaging and eye-opening, We Thought It
Would Be Heaven brings readers into the daily lives of Congolese
refugees and offers guidance for how activists, workers, and
policymakers can help refugee families thrive.
General
Imprint: |
University of California Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
August 2023 |
Firstpublished: |
2023 |
Authors: |
Blair Sackett
• Annette Lareau
|
Dimensions: |
229 x 152 x 25mm (L x W x T) |
Pages: |
207 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-520-37905-3 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
0-520-37905-5 |
Barcode: |
9780520379053 |
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