Oh you Ocean: Rahim's poem
My name is Rahim. I am from Afghanistan, in Kabul. I have an MA in international relations and diplomacy from Kabul University. I worked with the US Army as an interpreter. When the American troops left Afghanistan, the lives of all the interpreters were in danger. We were very well known, and many times we were threatened by the Taliban. That’s why I decided to leave Afghanistan.
Oh you Ocean, give us love..
Look what has happened to us..
Do not run the waves against us..
We the refugees, We swear our cause is sad..
Oh, you would not believe, but our tears can drown you so much we cried..
We accepted all people and were kind and loving toward them, but when we fell, everyone betrayed everyone of us..
No one is crying for us..
Oh, today the whole world failed us..
Oh you Ocean, make your waves calm, there are children in this boat which are our memories and our lives are still in this boat..
I swear, our tears could fill all the seas in the world, and all our children’s childhood is gone in your waves and it kills our children, lives and hopes..
Oh you Ocean, let your waves have pity on us and be crying like a mother..
Oh Ocean, let us have peace..
We only want peace and now, we will go to get some peace.
Today Rahim volunteers with Their Story is Our Story to help gather and share the stories of others who have been forced to flee, to reveal the individuals behind the “refugee” label and cultivate meaningful relationships with those seeking refuge locally so that, together, we can help build strong and inclusive communities worldwide.
Read Rahim’s full story.
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Image credit: ©TSOS/Christophe Mortier
Official Statement on the Detention of Refugees and Ongoing Community Violence
With another death in Minnesota and continued violence toward individuals and groups standing up for their communities, we acknowledge the profound fear and uncertainty people are feeling--not just locally, but across the country.
On top of this, there are reports that refugees invited and admitted to our country through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program are now being detained, meaning that our new friends and neighbors feel that fear most acutely.
Refugees have already fled violence and persecution once. They came here legally, seeking safety. In moments like these, we reaffirm our commitment to building communities where refugees and immigrants can live without fear. Where they can go to work, send their children to school, and build lives of dignity and belonging.
We call for due process, accountability, and humanity in all immigration enforcement operations. We call upon our leaders to demand the demilitarization of our neighborhoods and cities. And we call on all of us to continue the work of welcoming and protecting those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.