HomeHomeDecember 2007
A couple of years ago, the Minneapolis Star Tribune printed an Associated Press photo and cut line so eye-catching, I was mesmerized from the moment I spotted it. I ripped the photo out of the paper, and keep it on a bulletin board in my home. Nearly two years later, the picture still disturbs me.
Remembrance in the Season of Giving
In the foreground of the photo, an exhausted refugee/immigrant lies on a beach in one of Spain's Canary Islands, while several tourists, seemingly oblivious, sunbathe in the background.
This image, attributed to photographer Carlos Saa, compels readers to want to know more about this man's story. The cut line informs us that he arrived in a small motorboat with several others, and that "thousands try to reach Europe through Spain each year, with an increasing number of immigrants coming from Mauritania and the Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara." The difficulty and challenges that this man faced to get to Spain are unimaginable to those who live safe and secure lives in the West.
One wonders, in examining the photo, what happened next? Is this man's story similar to that of Adama, another refugee now living in Spain? Did the tourists continue to talk and work on their tans? Did they take notice of the poor, exhausted man lying several yards ahead of them? Did they show compassion or were they indifferent to the man's suffering?
It's a snapshot of a moment in time, yet it captures an international situation and readers' attention. And, it also begs the question: what would you or I have done if we were the tourists? How would we cope if we were refugees?
Those of us in the West who do not struggle daily for food, clothing and shelter, are lucky beyond belief. A masterful photo such as the one taken by Carlos Saa reminds all of us of our obligation to remember the greater human family. Our challenge, not just during the holidays, but also during every season of the year, is to remember those who are without basic human rights, including the millions of refugees worldwide.
Teresa
tcallies@Hotmail.com
News, Resources, and Other Interesting Tidbits
December 18 is International Migrants Day. You can learn more here.
In 2005, a film about Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars captured the lives of six musicians who escaped civil war and found new hope through their music. Filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White tell a compelling story about the horrors of war and disrupted lives.
According to their web site, the 2007 UNICEF report on The State of The World's Children 2007 "examines the discrimination and disempowerment women face throughout their lives --and outlines what must be done to eliminate gender discrimination and empower women and girls." This web site contains profiles of several women from around the world, and is fascinating storytelling.
Incidentally, nine million children are refugees right now. You can learn more about the United Nations High Commission on Refugees and their education campaign here.
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children "works to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and youth. On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, the organization will host their "Voices of Courage" Awards luncheon in New York City, with the theme, "Ending Violence against Refugee and Displaced Women and Girls." The luncheon honorees are "refugees or internally displaced women or youth who work or have worked to provide innovative, successful programs that address and reduce violence against refugee, internally displaced and/or returnee women and girls."
In 2006, the United Nations released their report on Women and International Migration,"A Passage to Hope."
January 13, 2008 marks the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Pope offers his thoughts on the problems of young migrants. You can click here to see his message.
Human rights Day is December 10. Here's an example of how the day will be observed in Minnesota.
Holiday Giving Guidance
The excellent web site Charity Navigator offers these tips for holiday giving.
A "Giving" Alternative
If you have unused frequent flyer miles, the major airlines accept donations on behalf of many worthy charities. For example, Fisher House Foundation helps injured veterans and their families. Here's more about their Hero Miles program.
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