Humans of Arkansas

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Humans of Arkansas NashvilleThe News Trash THURSDAY rates to • September 25, 2014 • Issue 77 • 1 Section • 12 Pages • USPS 371-540 • 75 cents • PUBLISHED EACH MONDAY & THURSDAY In Howard County, Arkansas since 1878 rise next month Water and Waste collection rates in the city of Nashville are set to increase beginning next month. sewer rate According to a letter submitted to the city by Waste Management Public Sector Solutions hike approved Manager Doug Sims, the company is insti- CHARLES GOODIN ally the second phase of in- tuting a two percent Editor hike in rates, based creases that were originally on the Consumer discussed three years ago Price Index. Begin- NASHVILLE - City alder- at the conclusion of former ning Oct. 1, resi- men narrowly approved Mayor Mike Reese’s term dential rates will rise increases to municipal wa- in office. As its first official to $11.95 for most ter and sewer rates Tues- act under current Mayor users and $6.67 for day during their regular Billy Ray Jones, the council senior citizens, while commercial rates will monthly meeting. approved a $4 increase to increase to between The 5-6 vote came fol- sewer minimums, a 50 cent $21.72 and $252.16 lowing an address by Pub- increase to water consump- depending on the lic Works Director Larry tion, a five percent hike on type of service a Dunaway, who said the first the water minimum and business requests of $23,977 payment on the a 10 cent hike in water Waste Management. $6.8 million USDA loan used consumption. The second Waste Manage- ment is entitled to fund ongoing improve- phase represents the total to adjust rates as ments to the city’s water amount USDA recommend- it sees it each and sewer infrastructure is ed raising rates in order to September per the coming due sooner than he facilitate payments on the contract they have expected. loan. with the city. “Me and Keith Hus- “When we raised rates key with USDA were talk- in 2011 ... well, that rate in- Tailgate ing about it, and he said, crease was half of what the ‘Yaknow, we’re gonna have rate study suggested,” Dun- party to get an account set up for away said. “We’re generat- the government to elector- ing about $163,000 more set for nically debit this money from the rate increase than pretty quick because those before the rate increase. Friday payments start coming due What we have to generate The Scrapper in October,’” Dunaway said. to make this payment every Booster Club will “I said, ‘Nah, it ain’t Octo- month is $287,000 a year. host a tailgate party ber. We had 18 months.’ So, So, these proposals are Fri., Sept. 26 ahead he showed me, and he was based on those numbers.” of the Scrappers’ right - it was 13 months. I Dunaway told alder- home opener against was thinking 18 months or I men he was in favor of the Arkadelphia. The would have said something higher increase, in part event is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. on the HUMANS OF ARKANSAS about it before now.” due to fears that the cost team’s practice ield Dunaway presented al- of operating the waste wa- and will include a pep dermen with two options ter treatment plant may rally, bounce houses Newhope girl documenting state in style for increasing the rates. increase as a result of the and a performance The first would have raised improvements. by pee wee cheer- a projected $180,344 in “We don’t know what leaders in addition of famed ‘Humans of New York’ creator additional revenue by in- our operational costs are to the opportunity to purchase Scrapper KATELYN COFFMAN came from the Humans of been through a lot,’” She creasing minimum water going to be versus what gear, candles, hair Staff Writer New York Facebook page explained. by $1 per month, water we’re doing now. We’re extensions, shirts created by photographer Not only that, but from consumption by 10 cents expecting them to be a little and multiple other A young Newhope girl Brandon Stanton. an educational aspect, the per 1,000 gallons, minimum higher, but who knows?” items. Food for the has been capturing the sto- Chandler has been inter- project has taught Chan- sewer by $1 and sewer con- he said. “We don’t know event will consist of ries of people across Arkan- ested in photography since dler and her younger sister sumption by 50 cents per what our chemical useage cupcakes, ham- 1,000 gallons. A second op- is gonna be. We know we’re burgers, hot dogs, sas once snapshot at a time. she was seven years old. She history, sociology, culture, barbecue, baked Armed with her Cannon admires Stanton’s way of geography and even politics. tion, which was ultimately losing some things we’re potatoes and turkey Rebel camera, 11 year old capturing the raw emotion “Home school is a lot selected by the council, using now but we don’t legs. A silent auction Katie Chandler has been of his subjects. about real world learning increased water minimums know what we’re gonna be and rafle will also be approaching people from “You can look at the pic- experiences,” explained by $2 per month, water using in other parts of the held. various areas of the state ture and it’s almost like you Chandler’s mother, Amanda. consumption by 10 cents system, so this is one factor and sharing their anecdotes, don’t have to read the story While many of the people per 1,000 gallons, minimum that’s a little iffy.” quotes and insights on her - you can just see it on their Chandler has spoken with sewer by $2 and sewer Jones disagreed with Praise Facebook page “Humans of face,” She said. have been happy to talk with consumption by 50 cents Dunaway’s assessment of Arkansas.” While the aspiring pho- her, some have not been as per 1,000 gallons, raising the possible costs involved event What began as a home tographer enjoys taking accommodating. This too an additional $226,496 for in operating the improved school project has morphed pictures, the stories people has taught the young girl an the city, according to pro- waste water plant, say- set at into a page with over 1,500 share with her also appeal important life lesson - rejec- jections. ing it will likely cost less Mt. Zion “likes” and has gained Chan- to the young lady. tion. Both proposals applied than the current facility, dler attention from multiple “I like to take the pictures “Rejection is something the same increases to se- but discussion among the Pastor Rev. Lee news platforms. most of all, but I think a lot she is going to encounter nior citizen rates, which council indicated that a Winfrey and mem- will now jump to a water majority felt asking for the bers of Mt. Zion According to Chandler, of the stories are good be- throughout her life and this Baptist Church, for the past three years she cause you think you have I feel has really prepared her minimum of $8.98 monthly larger increase now would located at 1500 and her sister have created it so bad then you hear for it,” her mother stated. and a sewer minimum of be better accepted by the Ansley Street in a large home school project. someone tell you their story Since the project began, $11.70. public than having to ask Nashville, will host Her inspiration for this one and you’re like ‘Wow, they’ve See HUMANS | Page 10 The rate hikes are actu- See HIKE | Page 10 a praise event Sun., Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. Praise can be in form of choral singing, solos, poetry, praise dance, readings or Park commissioners planning for the future testimonials. D.E. RAY siding officer Freddie Horne Managing Editor instead recommended that Wounded storm windows be placed Warrior NASHVILLE - The Nash- over the existing windows for ville city park commission the time being, as they would hunt held a special meeting at not interfere with the build- Western Sizzlin in Nashville ings status on the historical scheduled this past Sunday afternoon, registry and would provide The Millwood which was combined with some insulating effect for the Lake Focus Commit- their annual park planning building. tee and the US Army committee meeting. Cherry then discussed Corps of Engineers at Milwood Lake are The regular session saw two bidding issues for mi- collaborating to host commissioners discussing a nor building projects at the the 2014 Wounded range of topics dealing with park. The first, a bid for Warrior Deer Hunt, park properties. Park direc- the construction of 10 foot to be held Nov. tor Nikki Cherry reported fences on either end of the 20-22. The War- that repairs for damage to new basketball court at the rior Transition Unit lights from storms this sum- main park on Johnson Street, D.E. RAY | Nashville News of Fort Sill, OK will mer were nearly complete, was submitted at a cost of Park commissioners James Reed, Jason Harrison, Josh Tice, Dale Patrick, Deborah Marshall, be bringing seven Donny Woods, Freddie Horne and park director Nikki Cherry at their recent special meeting soldiers to Millwood and that the replaced lights $9,526.00. Commissioners at Western Sizzlin in Nashville. Commissioner Leslie White was not present at the meeting. Lake for an outdoor were set on photo-reactive asked Cherry to research if experience.
Recommended publications
  • Bios of RED SPRING Curating the End of the World Contributors
    Bios of RED SPRING Curating the End of the World Contributors RED SPRING is dedicated to living legend, Algernon Miller, a Father of Afrofuturist Art. Ekpe Abioto Ekpe (pronounced “eck-pay), a “musical philanthropist” and artistic director of GENIUS UNLIMITED, who specializes in children’s music and cultural entertainment. Since his career began in 1974, his motivational learning workshops on self-esteem, creative thinking, conflict resolution, drug prevention, and gang awareness have been well received by students, teachers, and administrators. As a musician, producer, recording artist, songwriter and arts educator, he plays African instruments such as the djembe drum, kalimba (thumb piano), shekere, and others, flute and saxophone. He gives entertaining and educational performances at schools, churches, festivals, colleges and universities, and is currently promoting his two CD’s entitled, “I AM A GENIUS” and “THE SPIRIT OF AFRICAN MUSIC.” His interactive music video “DON’T TOUCH A GUN” has been recognized and used as an effective means of keeping guns out of the hands of children. He is a part of The African Jazz Ensemble, a 10-piece band made up of some of Memphis' finest musicians. They've played together for over 40 years, and members have toured the world with Michael Jackson, Al Green, BB King, Eric Clapton, the Dells, Luther Allison, and Rufus and Carla Thomas. They formed the African Jazz Ensemble as a way to incorporate African influences into more traditional jazz, soul and R&B. Linda D. Addison is one of the most honored speculative poets of all time. Over the course of more than 300 published poems, stories and articles, Addison has been awarded the Horror Writer Association’s Bram Stoker Award six times.
    [Show full text]
  • America Through Street Photography
    From the Instructor Sarah wrote this piece for my section of the Genre and Audience WR X cluster. Students had undertaken semester-long research projects and, in the final assignment for the course, were asked to reimagine their academic arguments for a public audience. Deciding to write in the style of The New Republic, which is, in the publication’s own words, “tailored for smart, curi- ous, socially aware readers.” Sarah’s focus on street photography brings her research on classic American images to a non-expert audience with diverse professional and disciplinary perspectives, appealing to their interests in history and the arts while tapping into contemporary culture. — Gwen Kordonowy WR 150: The American Road 135 From the Writer When I enrolled in an experimental writing class entitled “The American Road,” I assumed that the semester would be filled with discussions about the physical American road, its attractions, and its place in American history. While the physical road was an important subject in the class, I learned that this “American Road” was expansive beyond its physical limi- tations, able to encompass topics as broad and abstract as social progress, popular television shows, and, in my case, photography. I ultimately chose to investigate the works of two American street photographers, Robert Frank and Lee Friedlander, whose approaches to photography reveal much about life in America and what it means to be an American. While both photographers frequently feature the road in their pictures, I chose to focus more on the people and culture found alongside it and how they represent America.
    [Show full text]
  • And Then the War Came: a Content Analysis of Resilience Processes in the Narratives of Refugees from Humans of New York
    International Journal of Communication 13(2019), 4240–4260 1932–8036/20190005 And Then the War Came: A Content Analysis of Resilience Processes in the Narratives of Refugees from Humans of New York VIRGINIA SÁNCHEZ SÁNCHEZ Auburn University, USA HELEN LILLIE University of Utah, USA In 2015, 34,000 people per day were displaced from their homes during the “refugee crisis.” The media represented refugees as victims or threats and rarely included refugee voices. In contrast, the photoblog Humans of New York (HONY) included two series of Syrian refugee narratives told by refugees. This study analyzes these refugee narratives for the presence of resilience processes. The concept of resilience in refugee narratives counters traditional media representations of refugees. The authors created a codebook operationalizing Buzzanell’s five resilience processes and conducted a content analysis of HONY narratives for these processes. The presence of resilience processes in HONY refugee narratives is compared with resilience in the HONY series: Pediatric Cancer, Invisible Wounds, and Inmate Stories. Refugee narratives are unique in their emphasis on identity, struggle to create normalcy, and lack of positive reframing. Keywords: resilience, refugees, content analysis, Humans of New York, migration Over the past few years, an influx of people have made their way to Europe from war- and poverty- ridden countries like Syria and Afghanistan (UNHCR, 2016). The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, 2016) found that 24 people per minute, or 34,000 people per day, were displaced from their homes in 2015. The magnitude of this issue and its impact across the globe have captured the attention of news and social media, where representations of refugees have varied.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Be an Antiracist Ibram X. Kendi Is a #1 New York Times Bestselling and National Book Award-Winning Author
    UNCW Leadership Lecture Series 2020-2021 Season COVID-19 Ibram X. Kendi- How To Be An AntiRacist Ibram X. Kendi is a #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-winning author. His relentless and passionate research puts into question the notion of a post-racial society and opens readers’ and audiences’ eyes to the reality of racism in America today. Kendi’s lectures are sharp, informative, and hopeful, serving as a strong platform for any institution’s discussions on racism and being antiracist. Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. Kendi is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News correspondent. He will also become the 2020-2021 Frances B. Cashin Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for the Advanced Study at Harvard University. Kendi is the author of Stamped from the Begining: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and The Black Campus Movement, which won the W.E.B. Du Bois Book Prize. He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers, How to Be an Antiracist, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a young adult remix of Stamped from the Beginning, co- authored with Jason Reynolds. He most recently authored the #1 Indie bestseller, Antiracist Baby, available as a board book and picture book for caretakers and little ones 2019-2020 Season Tarana Burke Tarana Burke shares the heartbreaking story behind the genesis of the viral 2017 TIME Person Of The Year-winning ‘me too’ movement and gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment.
    [Show full text]
  • The Syrian Crisis and Cultural Memory
    CONCEPTUAL PAPER The Syrian Crisis and Cultural Memory Elizabeth Gibbons[1] Abstract Citing news reports from the height of the Syrian refugee crisis and academic papers relating to cultural identity and memory, I will suggest that the diaspora of Syrian people and the loss of their material culture will have extreme repercussions on the current and future identity of the Syrian people. This paper shines a light on the human cost of war and loss of irreplaceable material cultural heritage. I will posit the effects of such cultural trauma on the future of the displaced Syrian people by focusing on individual stories of loss, relocation, and change, using historical examples to validate the experience of the refugee. Finally, I will look to the future, grounding this analysis in scholarly theories of identity and memory to ask the question: what is next for Syrian identity? In May 2015 the terror group, ISIS first overtook Palmyra—a cultural World Heritage Site that dates back two thousand years. The destruction of the ancient Roman ruins was swift and devastating. The European shores have become awash with desperate and soaked Syrian refugees fleeing the war, and while the world is deeply concerned with the threats to human life, I am equally concerned with the material heritage being left behind by those fleeing. The Roman architecture, art, pottery, and massive works of human innovation and creativity that illustrate Syrian culture are literally being blown apart. My historian-self was afraid that this rich chapter of human history would be lost forever. Thankfully, I was wrong.
    [Show full text]
  • Famous Bear Death Raises Larger Questions
    July 8 - 21, 2016 Volume 7 // Issue #14 New West: Famous bear death raises larger questions Bullock, Gianforte debate in Big Sky A glimpse into the 2016 fire season Paddleboarding then and now Inside Yellowstone Caldera Plus: Guide to mountain biking Big Sky #explorebigsky explorebigsky explorebigsky @explorebigsky ON THE COVER: Famous grizzly 399 forages for biscuitroot on June 6 in a meadow along Pilgrim Creek as her cub, known as Snowy, peeks out from the safety of her side. Less than two weeks later this precocious cub was hit and killed by a car in Grand Teton National Park. PHOTO BY THOMAS D. MANGELSEN July 8-21, 2016 Volume 7, Issue No. 14 Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLISHER Eric Ladd Section 1: News New West: EDITORIAL Famous bear death EDITOR / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MEDIA Opinion.............................................................................5 Joseph T. O’Connor raises larger questions Local.................................................................................6 SENIOR EDITOR/ DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR Regional.........................................................................12 Tyler Allen Montana.........................................................................16 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amanda Eggert Section 2: Environment, Sports, & Health CREATIVE SENIOR DESIGNER Taylor-Ann Smith Environment..................................................................17 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sports.............................................................................21 Carie Birkmeier
    [Show full text]
  • Recommended Reads for High Schoolers Classics
    Recommended Reads for High Schoolers CLASSICS Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre.* 1847. Lexile: 890 Orphaned governess Jane falls in love with her employer, a brooding man with a terrible secret. Cather, Willa. My Ántonia.* 1918. Lexile: 990 A young man reminisces about his boyhood in Nebraska, in particular his friendship with a young girl named Ántonia, and their experiences together. Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage.* 1895. Lexile: 890 During the American Civil War, a young private named Henry Fleming flees the field of battle. Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. One Hundred Years of Solitude.* 1970. The rise and fall of the mythical town of Macondo is told through the history of the Buendia family. Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.* 1962. Lexile: 1110 McMurphy, a criminal who feigns insanity, is admitted to a mental hospital where he challenges the autocratic authority of the head nurse. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. 1987. Lexile: 870 An escaped slave living in post-Civil War Ohio is haunted by memories of the farm that enslaved her, and by the ghost of her dead baby girl, whom she sacrificed. Orwell, George. 1984. 1949. Lexile: 1090 In the future, a totalitarian government watches over all citizens and directs all activities. Paton, Alan. Cry, the Beloved Country.* 1948. Lexile: 860 A novel depicting the racial ferment in the beautiful country of South Africa in 1948. Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar.* 1963. Lexile: 1140 Esther Greenwood, a talented and successful writer, finally succumbs to madness when the world around her begins to falter. Steinbeck, John. East of Eden.* 1952.
    [Show full text]
  • MPC Major Research Paper
    MPC Major Research Paper Re-Orienting Refugee Representation? A Multimodal Analysis of Syrian Refugee Representation on the social media platform Humans of New York Nicole Aarssen Dr. John Shiga, Supervisor The Major Research Paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Professional Communication Ryerson University Toronto, Ontario, Canada July 25, 2016 ii Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this Major Research Paper and the accompanying Research Poster. This is a true copy of the MRP and the research poster, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this major research paper and/or poster to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this MRP and/or poster by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my MRP and/or my MRP research poster may be made electronically available to the public. iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. John Shiga, for his support, encouragement and feedback throughout the MRP process. I would also like to thank my second reader, Dr. Joanne DiNova, for additional feedback and notes. It was a pleasure working with you both. Thank you. I would also like to thank my parents, Jeff and Sally Aarssen, for their unconditional support throughout this program and my entire education. Finally, I would like to thank my good friend Sachin Persaud, for beginning a thoughtful conversation on this topic, which inspired my study.
    [Show full text]
  • Livelihoods of the People of Mazumbai: a Collection of Stories and Portraits, Tanga Region, Tanzania Joseph Baldus
    SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad SIT Digital Collections Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection SIT Study Abroad Fall 2018 Livelihoods of the People of Mazumbai: A Collection of Stories and Portraits, Tanga Region, Tanzania Joseph Baldus Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, African Studies Commons, Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Agriculture Commons, Art and Design Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Human Ecology Commons, Photography Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, and the Sustainability Commons Livelihoods of the People of Mazumbai: A Collection of Stories and Portraits Tanga Region, Tanzania Joseph Baldus Academic Director: Dr. Felicity Kitchin Advisor: Dr. Alodia Machumu Macalester College Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for SIT Study Abroad Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology Fall Semester, 2018 Abstract Despite rapid urbanization in Tanzania, agriculture remains central to the nation, the economy, and the livelihoods of a large portion of the population. Smallholder farmers account for the vast majority of agricultural production, yet are an extremely vulnerable population due to poverty, single-sourced income, and climate-dependency for both subsistence and cash-crop agriculture (Rapsomanikis, 2015). This report explores these dynamic rural livelihoods through interviews and portrait photographs in a case study on Mazumbai, Tanga region, Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews explore the people’s modes of economic subsistence, domestic lives, education, challenges, and life stories. Excerpts from these interviews combined with portrait photographs create vibrant profiles of individuals that together reflect the broader story of all the livelihoods of the people of Mazumbai.
    [Show full text]
  • |||GET||| Humans of New York 1St Edition
    HUMANS OF NEW YORK 1ST EDITION DOWNLOAD FREE Brandon Stanton | 9781250038821 | | | | | Humans of New York: Stories Its been my 'go-to-keep-me-company', book in the coffee shop in my neighborhood book store while having tea. We guarantee our products and welcome all questions. Please try again later. This is an "accurate" view of the humans of New York? The gorgeous maybe 8 year old boy with radiant carrot coloured hair is beaming - standing as tall Humans of New York 1st edition his legs would allow next to his dad, proud as anything. The appeal of HONY has been so great that in the course of the next year Brandon's following increased tenfold to, now, over 12 million followers on Facebook. Top reviews from India. Annie Griffiths. His audience steadily grew from a few hundred followers to, at present count, over twelve million. All Humans of New York 1st edition are shipped the Humans of New York 1st edition business day. I discovered a photogenic vacant lot in Soho, but was unable to convince anyone to pose in it. It's amazing how interesting this can be. Damn, this one hit right home. The three stars is not for Stanton's HONY photographs, which are fascinating, gorgeous, heartbreaking, humbling, and yes, human. Growing up means being patient, holding your temper, cutting out the self-pity, Humans of New York 1st edition quitting with the righteous indignation. I genuinely did not expect that I would read this all in one sitting. Really good copy and photography. I follow this account on Instagram and love it.
    [Show full text]
  • Annenberg Space for Photography Announces Upcoming Iris Nights Lecture Series and Skylight Studios Installation for New Exhibition
    ANNENBERG SPACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING IRIS NIGHTS LECTURE SERIES AND SKYLIGHT STUDIOS INSTALLATION FOR NEW EXHIBITION April 23 – August 21, 2016 LOS ANGELES, CA (April 21, 2016)— The Annenberg Space for Photography has announced a series of special events and programming presented in conjunction with the exhibition REFUGEE, on view at the Photography Space from April 23 through August 21, 2016. For REFUGEE, the Annenberg Foundation commissioned five internationally acclaimed photographers—Lynsey Addario, Omar Victor Diop, Graciela Iturbide, Martin Schoeller and Tom Stoddart—to document the lives of the forcibly displaced on five continents. The programming includes a livestreamed panel discussion featuring REFUGEE exhibition photographers, the popular IRIS Nights Lecture Series and the New Americans installation at Skylight Studios. LIVESTREAM OF CRISIS IN FOCUS PANEL DISCUSSION In Crisis in Focus, three of REFUGEE’s photographers will discuss their experiences while on assignment for the exhibition. Lynsey Addario will discuss documenting the Rohingya people — a disenfranchised Muslim population in the predominantly Buddhist nation of Myanmar. Omar Victor Diop will share his experiences photographing refugees from the Central African Republic who were forced to flee to Cameroon. Martin Schoeller will describe working with refugees who have recently resettled in the U.S. UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements will open the discussion with a brief overview of the crisis, and NPR's Eleanor Beardsley will moderate the panel. REFUGEE photographer Tom Stoddart and the exhibition documentary filmmakers from Tiger Nest Films will also participate in a Q & A following the panel. Crisis in Focus will be livestreamed Friday, April 22 at 12:45PM PT.
    [Show full text]
  • Syrian Refugees and Americans: Perceptions, Attitudes and Insights
    American Journal of Qualitative Research December 2017, Vol.1 No. 1, pp. 13-31 © 2017 AJQR. http://www.ajqr.org/ ISSN: 2576-2141 Syrian Refugees and Americans: Perceptions, Attitudes and Insights Ismail Hakki Yigit Mississippi State University, USA Andrew Tatch Mississippi State University, USA ABSTRACT In recent years, the United States (US) has seen an influx of refugees from the Syrian Crisis, highlighted by a public declaration from then President Obama that 10,000 refugees would be admitted. National surveys suggested that roughly half of US citizens were uncomfortable with this decision. This study serves as an extension of these previous surveys by further elucidating the underlying causes of this discomfort. As such, this study explores Americans’ perceptions of Syrian refugee resettlement as well as Syrians’ perceptions of America using face to face interviews and content analysis. Analyses revealed conflicting meanings of immigration for both Syrians and Americans as well as co-occurring compassion and fear directed towards Syrian refugees. In addition, Syrian refugees perceived their American resettlement as an opportunity for engagement with society and to contribute socially and economically, while also noting their marginalization and stigmatization in their transitional countries. Americans expressed a lack of understanding of the legal status of Syrian refugees, often equating them with undocumented and illegal migrants. Americans held oppositional attitudes towards Syrian refugees, expressing both empathy towards and fear of terrorism. This study extends the literature on immigration through a more dynamic exploration of attitudes of both refugees and citizens in America, capitalizing on the distinct advantages of qualitative approaches. KEYWORDS: Syrian refugees, qualitative study, perceptions of Americans, terrorism.
    [Show full text]