We Shouldn’t Need to be “Successful” to Belong

Kim Samuel’s latest Huffington Post article, “We Shouldn’t Need to be ‘Successful’ to Belong,” addresses the legacy of the refugee experience, arguing that newcomers and Dreamers and anyone who calls their adopted country “home” should not be made to feel that they must prove themselves above and beyond expectations for every other citizen. 

Kim’s inspiration for this piece came from a friend who shared a poignant reflection. A former refugee herself, her friend asked, “Why is it that we only seem to matter if we are successful?” Her question gave Kim new insight about the legacy of the refugee experience; that amidst the rhetoric of hatred, division and threatened deportation, it is more important than ever to show respect, stand together, and ensure the right to belong.