Survivors, Others Take Offense at Word 'Refugees'
In Houston, where tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims have sought temporary shelter, officials distributed a terse memo Wednesday dealing not with food, lodging or human connections, but with something that in its own way has become just as emotionally loaded: the word "refugee."
"The term is perceived negatively by many of those housed at the Astrodome, who prefer to be called evacuees," said the memo to reporters, which addressed a heated conversation that has echoed in recent days from emergency shelters through the media to the White House.
"I'm not a refugee; I'm an American," said Daphne Carr, 37, who fled New Orleans with her niece, Loasha, 9, and is staying at the Astrodome.
The discussion might seem a mere exercise in semantics in a time of catastrophe, but language observers say it underscores the fact that seemingly benign words can take on powerfully negative connotations, depending on the circumstance.
"Here we are talking about people who have lost their homes and have gone to another state," said Donna Jo Napoli, a linguistics professor at Swarthmore College. "Although there are ways in which their situation is parallel to a refugee situation, the fact is they are our own people. They are not refugees."
Webster's New World Dictionary offers this definition: "A person who flees from home or country to seek refuge elsewhere, as in a time of war or of political or religious persecution."
Though some might argue that the word is apt, given that definition, black leaders have strongly objected to its use when applied to Katrina survivors, many of whom are black. Bruce S. Gordon, president and chief executive of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, said the word reduced the displaced victims "to a level that is below citizenship."
"These are American citizens, plus they are the sons and daughters of slaves," said Rep. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles). "Calling them refugees coming from a foreign country does not apply to their status. This shows disdain for them. I'm almost calling this a hate crime."
This week, President Bush weighed in after meeting with evacuees in shelters near Baton Rouge, La. He made it clear: Hurricane survivors are "not refugees." "These are Americans, and they need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens," he said.
Not everyone considers the word taboo. Blogger Stephen Baker of BusinessWeek.com asked, "Why run from the word 'refugee'?
- Jackson Calls for Housing Extension Nov 20, 2005
- Shades of FEMA's Brown in Bush Pick Oct 01, 2005
- Camping products in short supply Sep 20, 2005
