Who (Not) To Be in a Refugee Crisis?

The refugee ‘crisis’ challenges (Dutch) local municipalities to host a sizeable community of (predominantly) Syrian refugees. Stigmatizing characterizations of ‘the refugee’complicate both efficient care-taking and interaction with the host-society. This paper aims to substantiate the necessity of short-term ethnographic fieldwork on refugee identity formation. Beyond its theoretical interest to extend current knowledge about ‘mediatized’ realities, it aims to improve refugees’ integration within the new cultural context. The first part of this paper (Section A.) illustrates how the concept of refugee identity formation has developed over time. Currently, its understanding encompasses both transitional and discursive theories, moreoverrecognizing concept’s relatedness to bridging-and bonding ties. Still, the relative importance of roots and routes(Platts-Flower & Robinson, 2015) to refugees’ cultural redefinition remains ambiguous. Moreover, the effects of world-wide digital disclosure on refugees’ social reality lack sufficient consideration. Therefore,this study urges for an exploration of mediatized influences on refugees’ lived experiences. It suggests to conduct a ‘go-along’ communication-ethnography in AZC-Beverwaard (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Section B. reports on a pilot-inquiry aiming to sensitize the proposed research design to the refugee-perspective. Its preliminary results support that ‘mediatized’ experiences influence the reconciliation of past (trauma)and present (procedural stress) experiences in a post-refuge identity. Contrasting the protectionist signature of current refugee-assistance, this paper emphasizes refugees should be encouraged in their self-development, and facilitated to interact beyond the intra-mural community.