What It Means to Be Displaced | Côme Nzibarega | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Two former refugees, Augustine and Come, share their remarkable journeys of resilience and success after escaping war-torn countries.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] [APPLAUSE] AUGUSTINE WIAH: I just want to jump into it. So what was life before the disturbance? I think when people think about refugees, they think about what the media portrays, but we all have lives before disturbance starts. And so give us the insight into your world before everything kind of shook up. COME NZIBAREGA: Excellent... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Refugees have lives and aspirations before being displaced, but their narratives are often overshadowed by media portrayals of their struggles.
• 🥺 Civil wars and ethnic conflicts are major causes of displacement and lead to the loss of lives and human suffering.
• 🇺🇸 The vetting process for refugees coming to the United States is rigorous, involving interviews by FBI and CIA agents and extensive background checks.
• 🖐️ Education plays a crucial role in empowering refugees and providing them with opportunities for a better future.
• 🐵 Resilience and determination are key factors in overcoming challenges faced as refugees and building successful lives in new countries.
• ✊ The power of community support and volunteering can greatly impact the lives of refugees by providing guidance and a sense of belonging.
• ❓ Challenging false narratives and stereotypes about refugees is essential for creating a more inclusive society and recognizing the potential and contributions of refugees.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Come Nzibarega's passion for education and learning English contribute to his employment with the United Nations?

Come's dedication to learning English, even though French was the official language, enabled him to become a translator for the United Nations when they needed English-speaking staff in his home country of Burundi.

Q: What were some of the challenges Come faced as a refugee in the refugee camp in Ethiopia?

Come faced challenges such as living in a tent, lack of food and resources, and a sense of hopelessness due to the lack of opportunities and education in the camp.

Q: How did Augustine Wiah struggle with his identity and fitting in after becoming a refugee in the United States?

Augustine struggled with his identity and fitting in after being placed in an all-black school in the United States. He felt alienated and disconnected from his own identity and background.

Q: What resources did Augustine and Come seek upon arriving in the United States?

Augustine sought education and enrolled in school, while Come sought community support and guidance through volunteer families and the running community.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Come Nzibarega was born in Burundi, lived a peaceful life until civil war erupted, and became a UN translator before being kidnapped and tortured by rebels. He eventually escaped and sought asylum in Ethiopia before being resettled in the United States.

• Augustine Wiah fled Liberia with his family during the civil war and became a refugee in Ghana before being resettled in the United States. He faced challenges of identity and discrimination before finding success in education and becoming a program manager at Google.