Refugee Experiences: Connecting Through Real-Time Video Chats
The Portal: Bridging the Gap Between Americans and Refugees
The U.S. Holocaust Museum’s innovative exhibition, The Portal, offers an immersive experience that allows Americans to engage in real-time video chats with refugees living in camps worldwide. This groundbreaking project aims to foster understanding and humanize the experiences of those displaced by conflict and persecution.
Voices from Erbil, Iraq
During a visit to The Portal, visitors have the opportunity to connect with young refugees from Erbil, Iraq. These individuals have endured unimaginable hardships, including violence, displacement, and uncertainty about their future.
Nassir Saiel, Ayad Asaad, Zaid Faisal, and Mohammad Taha share their harrowing stories of fleeing their homes, witnessing atrocities, and living in refugee camps. They express their fears and hopes, emphasizing the severe challenges they face on a daily basis.
The Power of Human Connection
Despite their difficult circumstances, these young refugees maintain a sense of optimism and resilience. They eagerly engage in conversations with Americans, sharing their experiences, asking questions, and even joking about everyday life.
Translators facilitate communication, bridging the language barrier and fostering meaningful connections. Visitors often express surprise and empathy after interacting with the refugees, realizing that they are individuals with dreams, aspirations, and a deep desire for a better life.
The Global Refugee Crisis
The Portal highlights the ongoing global refugee crisis, which has displaced millions of people from their homes. The museum emphasizes the role of genocide in fueling this crisis and the importance of preventing future atrocities.
The ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria have had a devastating impact, forcing millions to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. The Portal serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the need for compassion and support for refugees.
Understanding the Holocaust’s Relevance Today
The U.S. Holocaust Museum’s mission extends beyond preserving the memory of the Holocaust. It also seeks to educate visitors about the ongoing threat of genocide and the importance of individual responsibility.
The Portal exhibition demonstrates that genocide did not end with the Holocaust and that it is a preventable crime. It encourages visitors to reflect on their own role as citizens and to advocate for the protection of human rights and the prevention of future atrocities.
Inspiring Change and Empathy
The Portal experience leaves a lasting impact on visitors, inspiring empathy, understanding, and a desire to help refugees. Many express frustration and a sense of urgency, recognizing the need for government action and community support.
The project’s success lies in its ability to humanize the refugee experience and foster a sense of connection between Americans and those who have been forced to flee their homes. The Portal serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, solidarity, and the fight against injustice and persecution.
