We Thought It Would Be Heaven : Refugees in an Unequal America.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sackett, Blair.

Contributor:

Lareau, Annette.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Refugees--Services for--United States.

Refugees.

Refugees--United States--Social conditions.

Refugees--Congo (Democratic Republic)--Social conditions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (302 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, 2023.

Summary:

"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"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Journeys to America: lots of red tape

Hurdles and knots everywhere: Honoria Kimenyerwa

Problems reverberate: Malu Malu and Mariamu Mahamba

How cultural brokers help: Joseph and Georgette Ngoma

The power of people doing their jobs: Alain and Vana Msafiri

Conclusion: refugees in an unequal America.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780520976504

0520976509

OCLC:

1379485212