- Sidhartha Basu
Anthropology and The Study of Refugees- An Anthropological Perspective on The Refugee Crisis
Updated: Jul 6
Anthropology and the study of refugees by B.E. Harrell Bond and E. Voitura is a research article that discusses the relevance and importance that anthropological research has on understanding the refugee crisis from multiple dimensions. Bond and Voitura contend that integrating anthropological concepts within the contemporary methodology used to diagnose issues associated with refugee migration can enable researchers to gain a deeper perspective on the experiences and challenges faced by refugees.
The History of the Refugee Crisis:
The refugee crisis stemmed from a transitory shift in authority that weakened control of the ethnocentric colonial powers of Europe and gave rise to a "new world order" that centered itself on nationalistic policies. These policies emphasized the religious and cultural superiority associated with majoritarianism and perpetuated xenophobic beliefs. With the prospect of ethnic polarization and violence looming large, global mass migration would begin to occur- redefining and shaping novel, humanitarian policies that intended to alleviate the severity of the refugee crisis. However, most of these policies inadequately addressed the issues refugees encounter and stratified them into vague and definitive categories, which failed to examine their struggle from social, cultural, and political dimensions. As eminent psychologist Gadi Ben-Ezzer, in his observational study involving the settlement of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, notes, "the explanation in the clash of social norms: for example, what for Ethiopians constituted appropriate behavior between themselves and persons whom they perceived as having higher status." Unfortunately, Israel's failure to accustom the Ethiopian Jews is one of the many examples of misguided approaches adopted to handle the refugee crisis. However, as institutions have refined their diagnoses of the refugee crisis, refugees have gained broader acceptance by the masses.
Caption: Refugees in Gadi Ben Ezzer's Study
What can Anthropology do for Refugees and Policymakers:
Anthropology is an academic discipline that intends to examine global and cultural diversity to its fullest extent. As the discipline has undergone reforms, many anthropologists study culture through linguistics, biological approaches, and archaeology. In the context of the refugee crisis, anthropology enables researchers to comprehensively identify the obstructions and challenges that refugees encounter. Moreover, anthropology can play a critical role in supporting refugees by helping to understand and document their experiences, as well as advocating for policies that address their needs. Anthropologists can conduct fieldwork to better understand the social, economic, cultural, and political contexts of refugees. This research can provide valuable insights into the challenges they face and the coping strategies they use, which can inform the development of policies and programs to support them. Additionally, anthropologists can work with policymakers to create programs that address the specific needs of refugees and advocate for policies that promote their inclusion and protection. Anthropology can also contribute to the broader public understanding of refugees, challenging negative stereotypes and promoting greater empathy and support for these vulnerable populations.
What Next Steps Does This Research Paper Address:
Anthropology and the study of refugees by B.E. Harrell Bond and E. Voitura proposes novel methodologies to combat pre-existing academic narratives about refugees. These narratives offer an inchoate and narrow approach to solving the refugee crisis. However, Bond and Voitura posit that concerted efforts by local and national governments oriented to address the refugee crisis at a granular level can provide sustainable and inclusive solutions that engender their welfare. Anthropologists should work collaboratively with other disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, and political science, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of refugees' experiences. This can help researchers develop more effective policies and interventions to support refugees.
Want to Learn More?
American Anthropological Association (AAA)- https://www.americananthro.org/
The Refugee Studies Centre at the University of Oxford -https://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) -https://www.unrefugees.org/
Link to Research Paper:
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