Following the stories of two dozen refugees from Syria and Afghanistan in 2015, Citizens and Refugees argues that we need to include the histories of these countries, notably the Syrian Revolution, into narratives of the refugee crisis.
The book thus challenges a framing of the crisis that usually begins only with the moment of people fleeing. The stories it tells show refugees as citizens with a political voice engaged in struggles for participation and democracy, rather than as people in need of rescuing and integrating into new societies. It equally examines the much-celebrated German welcoming culture of 2015, arguing that it silenced political voices of those fleeing to Germany. Based on personal stories and the author’s intimate knowledge of the German welcoming culture, Citizens and Refugees intervenes into political debates about the viability of democracy. Overall, the importance of this volume stems from its suggestion that we would do well to listen to the voice of those coming to Europe as refugees.
Based on both personal stories and historical analysis, Citizens and Refugees is the ideal resource for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars interested in migration studies and the history of Europe and the Middle East.
Author(s): Joachim C. Häberlen
Series: Routledge Studies in Modern History
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 196
City: London
Cover
About the Cover Image
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Personal Preface
Notes
Bibliography
Introduction: Narratives of Crisis and Citizenship
Notes
Bibliography
Part I: Where Stories Begin
Sabrina: The Tale of a Heroine
Bilal: A Family History of Politics
Sultan: Fleeing from a Culture
Reza: I Hated Everything
Abdul Aziz: The History of a Country
Abdulrahman: It Was Like a Huge Wedding
Hossein: Becoming a Citizen
Othman: The Beauty of Grassroots Organization
Loay: Hope and Hatred
Rahaf: Poisoned Memories
Notes
Bibliography
Part II: Becoming Refugees
Parya: Growing Up as a Refugee
Bilal: It Was Like a Horror Movie
Alaa: It Was My Decision
Sultan: The Joys of Travelling
Rana: New Beginnings, and a Return to the Past
Zaki (and Others): Journeys of Waiting
Notes
Bibliography
Part III: The German Welcoming Culture: A New Model of Citizenship?
Moments of Drama, Moments of Enthusiasm
Susanne: Existential Crises and the Wish to Help
Muriel: Assuming Responsibility in a Situation of Crisis
Merle: Frustrations and Accomplishments
Muriel: The Difficulties of Friendships
The Welcoming Culture: A Political Movement?
In Solidarity with Refugees?
Humanitarian Logic and the Gaze on Refugees
The Gaze Reversed: What Refugees Say about the Welcoming Culture
Notes
Bibliography
Part IV: Citizenship and Belonging
Reza: I Forgot about Democracy
Becoming German? Narratives of Integration and Belonging
Sara, Abbas & Zaki: Making Homes, Remaining Strangers
Freshta & Alaa: Being a Muslim Woman in Germany
Layla: Becoming a Citizen in Exile
Maher & Hisham: The Difficulties of Becoming a Citizen
Mariam: Friendships and Intimate Spaces of the Political
Keywan & Zohal: Tempting Freedoms and Challenging Identities
Pari: A Life of Struggling
Mariana: Belonging through Struggling
Notes
Bibliography
Epilogue: Inspirations of Citizenship
Index
