Theory
Imagined Communities
Imagined Communities
Benedict Anderson's theoretical perspective of Imagined Communities (1983) allowed for further explanation of community with the refugee population. His theory provided a framework of the research by highlighting how people can develop a sense of being part of a community they are not technically a part of, while keeping their sense of identity and community from their country of origin. The influence of community is essential when looking at why former identifying refugees work in an environment where they are helping other refugees in their community.
"Because my whole life, all my family was refugees. I didn't have any familiar family. I just noticed started building that relationship. Refugees from different countries and also stuff on the institute because I was so lonely and just stressed. I just wanted to do something, be busy doing something. So that became my new form of journalism, just walking in, helping refugees" (Robert, 2019).
"Because my whole life, all my family was refugees. I didn't have any familiar family. I just noticed started building that relationship. Refugees from different countries and also stuff on the institute because I was so lonely and just stressed. I just wanted to do something, be busy doing something. So that became my new form of journalism, just walking in, helping refugees" (Robert, 2019).
"My own little community here. I didn't have any refugee from Gambia. I was the only refugee from Gambia. So I had met refugees from Liberia, from Iraq who wander everywhere and that became my family" (Robert 2019).
"My own little community here. I didn't have any refugee from Gambia. I was the only refugee from Gambia. So I had met refugees from Liberia, from Iraq who wander everywhere and that became my family" (Robert 2019).