The Latest Refugees: A New Wave from Africa

“A refugee is someone with a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, who is outside of his or her country of nationality and unable or unwilling to return. Refugees are forced from their countries by war, civil conflict, political strife or gross human rights abuses.” People who have left their homes to seek a more prosperous life are commonly referred to as “economic migrants,” not refugees. Many students have heard about slavery during the 1800’s and have been made aware of the plight of the Afro-American during that time. However, families moving into West Philadelphia lately are here for a variety of other reasons. They include famine, economics, warfare, and civil and political unrest in their homelands. Some of the students that come from Africa are unaware of why their families left their countries. As they move into certain areas, they are facing prejudice from other groups that are already in the area. This includes Afro- American’s who fail to relate to the new refugees/immigrants. This unit will address such issues in the classroom.