“We” the Refugees: Reflections on Refugee Labels and Identities

Authors

  • Yanery Navarro Vigil Dalhousie University
  • Catherine Baillie Abidi Saint Mary's University & Mount Saint Vincent University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1055576ar

Keywords:

refugees, identity, labels, self-identification, auto-ethnographical analysis, othering

Abstract

In this article the authors present an auto-ethnographical analysis, describing their personal experiences with forced migration. Using narrative passages, the authors problematize the way in which refugee identities are entwined with socially constructed labels. The authors explore the points at which self-identification negotiates with labelling in order to create new spaces wherein individual and collective refugee experiences mutually shape and transform each other. These new spaces emerge from an inclusive participatory socio-cultural and political process where the idea of “us” and “them” merges into a “we.” This article represents the culmination of the authors’ sustained interactions (in conversation, in storytelling, in shared analyses, in writing) and serves as an example of putting a new space into action. 

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Author Biographies

Yanery Navarro Vigil, Dalhousie University

Yanery Navarro Vigil is a full-time PhD student, Mount Saint Vincent University. The author may be contacted at Yanery.Navarrovigil@msvu.ca

Catherine Baillie Abidi, Saint Mary's University & Mount Saint Vincent University

Catherine Baillie Abidi is part-time faculty, Mount Saint Vin-cent University. The author may be contacted at Catherine.Baillie@msvu.ca

Published

2018-12-10

How to Cite

Vigil, Y. N., & Baillie Abidi, C. (2018). “We” the Refugees: Reflections on Refugee Labels and Identities. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 34(2), 52–60. https://doi.org/10.7202/1055576ar