You don't have to live like a refugee...
The Reverend Jesse Jackson has claimed that it is "racist" to call American citizens "refugees" (see article).
Webster's Unabridged defines refugee as:
1. One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety.
2. Especially, one who, in times of persecution or political commotion, flees to a foreign power or country for safety; as, the French refugees who left France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes.
Well, obviously, the Americans who have left New Orleans do meet that definition. I don't understand why Rev. Jackson would choose this battle to fight when there are so many other more important questions following the evacuation debacle in New Orleans.
Rev. Jackson, you should address why the poor in New Orleans were left to fend for themselves; why there is a stratification of class in this country; why we have some of the highest poverty rates of the OECD member nations; question the affect that the "war on drugs" have had on the poor; preach accountability and leadership within your own community; and a myriad of other issues because you do have power to raise awareness. It is obvious that the media pays attention to you. Why do you worry about word choice when you have all of these other issues in front of you?
Webster's Unabridged defines refugee as:
1. One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety.
2. Especially, one who, in times of persecution or political commotion, flees to a foreign power or country for safety; as, the French refugees who left France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes.
Well, obviously, the Americans who have left New Orleans do meet that definition. I don't understand why Rev. Jackson would choose this battle to fight when there are so many other more important questions following the evacuation debacle in New Orleans.
Rev. Jackson, you should address why the poor in New Orleans were left to fend for themselves; why there is a stratification of class in this country; why we have some of the highest poverty rates of the OECD member nations; question the affect that the "war on drugs" have had on the poor; preach accountability and leadership within your own community; and a myriad of other issues because you do have power to raise awareness. It is obvious that the media pays attention to you. Why do you worry about word choice when you have all of these other issues in front of you?
posted by torporindy at 9/06/2005
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