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We
are all stuck in the middle of nowhere. Millions in
Most
of the Iraqis, including me, didn't expect to see
My country is cursed, and it seems predetermined for our people to live with a chain of endless sufferings. Iraq is a perplexing country. It has everything you could want. It has one of the oldest civilizations on earth with two rivers that connect all parts of the country and flow like the veins in a body. It has every reason to expect an affluent life—from agriculture to industry to precious commodities like oil and mercury—and yet the majority of its people live in misery and poverty.
I was thinking that by coming to America and by giving something to my parents to compensate them for what they've already missed in their lives, I would be able start a new chapter that had no connection to my distressed past, but it seems I was wrong. It's harder than I ever expected. Life has not been different.
The
Iraqi refugees here in
The
American government is helping some Iraqis—those who worked for American armed
forces and other American organizations—to resettle in
There
are a few organizations here in
I
was enduring the situation when I was by myself, but now with my parents and my
younger brother with me it has become unbearable. I'm the one who is taking
care of everything: I have to work in a restaurant with a wage lower that the
one I received in
My
parents now think they are a burden to me since they know I'm responsible for
most of their expenses now, including rent, bills, and daily purchases. My
father is thinking about going back to
Many Iraqis I know talk about how Americans also suffer from unemployment. We sometimes lament our bad luck for coming to the States at this time. We even make jokes about us being a bad omen for this country.
There
are too many stories to tell about the Iraqi refugees in America. Stories of old
people, young people, and families. All came to the States looking for a better
future but still can't believe how hard life is for them here. I have known
many Iraqi friends in different cities of
I have to say that I haven't seen or heard any Iraqi complaints about cultural differences or any other issue related to our traditions or religion We all find that this country is truly the "land of freedom" in all its meanings. The American people are also very nice and polite and none of the Iraqis I know have ever complained about bad treatment.
The adjustment for old people and those who don't speak English is harder than it is for me. With this country’s current high rate of unemployment, it is nearly impossible to find a job, especially for those Iraqis with no English or elevated qualifications. The irony of the whole thing is that a lot of the Iraqi refugees here in the States are working or wanting to work as security guards for a country that was unable over the last past six years to provide security to their own country!
As
for me, with a bachelor's degree, at a good age, and having served the U.S Army in
We
are not sure whom to blame or whom to hold responsible for the whole thing. Is
it the American government? It seems to be morally obliged to resettle Iraqis
in
Mudhafar al-Husseini worked at The New York Times in
Read al-Husseini's previous entry here. To read all his "Finding Refuge" entries, click here.
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Times are certainly tough considering the current economic stagnation, but in time, the situation will hopefully improve. It surely doesn't help that you now have to provide for an entire family, but hard work and perseverance have always yielded positive results. I'm a little surprised that you haven't considered writing a book about your experience. I don't know if there are many other Iraqi refugees which have already written books about resettlement in the U.S., but it would seem like a good way to raise money and awareness. Anyway, best of luck to you.
Your sacrifices and dedication to your family are incredibly inspiring and selfless. They are a reminder to all Americans to be grateful, humble and compassionate to all Iraqi refugees and those still facing the unthinkable in your homeland and other countries besieged by trauma.
You are a wonderful writer and story-teller. When you write your book it will open the eyes of anyone with a heart and conscience. And I bet Oprah will put it on her "book club" list!
Keep writing, stay hopeful.
When my grandparents came here, they couldn't speak the language and were uneducated. In time, life improved for them but, the Great Depression set them back. However, they survived & eventually, their children prospered.These are difficult times but, you'll make it.As others have said, you have a fascinating & inspiring story to tell & many
of us want to know more about it.
You lost me on the irony of the security guard part. I fail to see the connection.
Help me to understand.
An Iraqi (refugee) with employment or seeking employment as a security in USA today is not (in most cases) going to be working for the US Government, correct?
He'll be working for a private company that has a contract to supply guards to another company.
Reguarding what we did in Iraq related to security:
Please explain because this is what I see:
The US plan has not been to provide security in Iraq. The plan is and has been to create havoc.
It may LOOK like we are trying to provide security... but that's all pretend.
I call it war theatre.
The same is true for Pakistan.
It may not look like Iraq today but the intention is the same.
'Dig in deep (building a huge embassy) and help the country to be at war with itself'.
Pakistan will break into many parts. It will not survive as it is today.
As for your assimilating into American life and earning enough for your family to get by:
I feel that you need to be very creative to make it. Flipping burgers is a race to the bottom.
You can write a book for sure. But TELLING you that does little to help.
All that really does, if you embark upon such a project, is to dig into the little free time you have these days.