ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the dynamics of knowledge, power, and civic participation for refugees within resettled communities and resettlement service organizations. Resettled refugees face multiple barriers that inhibit their participation in public life and civil society, including linguistic and cultural barriers, lack of sufficient linguistic and educational support, and inability to access capital. Additionally, refugee resettlement and service organizations often frame service as a one-way, top-down flow of information, resources, and valuable knowledge from members of native societies to refugees. This chapter highlights the case of one refugee woman, Mama Rita, to demonstrate that this top-down framing of knowledge and capital flows is inaccurate representation of resettled refugee communities; on the contrary, resettled refugees such as Mama Rita draw on their funds of knowledge, or unique skills, experiences, and resources, to participate effectively in public life. The authors conclude that refugee resettlement and service organizations must recognize and draw from refugees’ funds of knowledge to combat disempowering narratives of “helpless refugees” and more effectively empower resettled refugees to participate and thrive in their communities.
