NC Reads Book Discussion: American Refuge

North Carolina Reads is North Carolina Humanities’ award-winning, statewide book club! North Carolina Reads annually features five books that explore issues of racial, social, and gender equity and the history and culture of North Carolina. All featured books pose critical questions about how North Carolinians view their personal roles in helping to promote and form a more just and inclusive society.  Learn more about the book selections here.

American Refuge by Diya Abdo

In this intimate and eye-opening book, Diya Abdo–daughter of refugees, U.S. immigrant, English professor, and activist—shares the stories of seven refugees. Coming from around the world, they’re welcomed by Every Campus A Refuge, an organization Diya founded to leverage existing resources at colleges to provide temporary shelter to refugee families. We learn that these refugees from Burma, Burundi, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Uganda lived in homes they loved, left against their will, moved to countries without access or rights, and were among the 1% of the “lucky” few to resettle after a long wait, almost certain never to return to the homes they never wanted to leave. We learn that anybody, at any time, can become a refugee.

Registration is required to join our discussion of American Refuge.  To register and join the conversation on August 6 at 6:00 pm, click here.

Watch NC Humanities’ recorded book event with author Diya Abdo in conversation with Dr. Omar Ali.