Headshot from Senior Year
Author: Josie Zakrzewski | Major: International and Global Studies, History, and Spanish | Semester: Spring 2024
After working and volunteering with refugee resettlement for three years, I noticed distinctive differences in the way governments and citizens view white refugees compared to refugees of color. This came to the forefront of my work when crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine led to the displacement of millions of people across both countries. Despite the shared needs of displaced Ukrainians and Afghans, the humanitarian response by United States aid groups and citizens was significantly different. I researched the roots of these differences to determine to what extent race affects the United States’ responses to refugees. I hope this research will inspire deeper conversations in humanitarian work about how we consciously and unconsciously classify who is deserving of aid.
When deciding how to choose my mentor, I really focused on three main factors: their research focuses, their approach to thesis mentorship, and my experiences with them in the classroom. I had a few people in mind, but by the end of my sophomore year, it was very clear to me that I would be asking Dr. Jared Phillips to advise me on my research. I knew Dr. Phillip’s work in international relations and focus on human rights would greatly benefit my research, and at the time, I had already taken three courses with him, which meant I had already created a relationship and felt comfortable and confident asking him to work with me. In addition, I knew working with Dr. Phillips would work well because he is the kind of advisor that meets you where you are at. He is not afraid to be critical and assist when needed but also allowed me a lot of independence in the research process which is something I wanted. I believe this greatly benefited my research skills.
Over the course of my research, my hypothesis was confirmed: Afghan refugees had been unequally treated by the United States government and its citizens when compared to Ukraine. While this finding was not surprising, it was important to qualify and quantify in order to provide tangible proof of the ways that prejudice and racism cause discrimination against vulnerable populations. The findings revealed significant differences in the levels of attention and aid allocated to Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, influenced by logistical challenges, security concerns, and geopolitical interests. However, deeper issues were identified, particularly the substantial impact of racialized dynamics on perceptions of the deservingness and legitimacy of refugees. Afghan refugees were disproportionately affected, viewed less positively by Americans due to their lack of cultural and physical “whiteness,” whereas Ukrainians, perceived as white and European, received more support. This disparity reflects systemic biases within humanitarian aid efforts and perpetuates injustices against Afghan refugees and other refugee groups of color.
The research underscored a critical contradiction in Washington’s humanitarian policies: despite the U.S.’s significant involvement in creating the instability that displaced many Afghans, Afghan refugees were overlooked in aid distribution. This highlights the need for acknowledging the responsibility owed to Afghan refugees as a matter of moral obligation and fairness. Addressing these racialized biases is essential for promoting equity and justice in humanitarian aid. Future policy recommendations include mitigating the impacts of racism and nativism on refugee experiences and ensuring that aid is provided based on need rather than prejudices. By addressing these underlying biases, the U.S. can work towards more equitable and effective humanitarian interventions globally. In doing this research, I only further confirmed that the path I am on in my professional career is right for me. I hope to go into nonprofit management to dismantle and restructure systems of oppression actively at work in our communities. Doing this large scale research project showed me just how much work there is to be done.
This project was not without its challenges. As both countries’ receptive crises were so recent, I had to be creative in finding sources while at the same time ensuring their credibility and identifying their biases. This was difficult at times, and I often had to talk with Dr. Phillips about where to look and what areas of my research were lacking. These meetings were always extremely helpful, and I feel lucky to have had such a great experience with my thesis advising. I never felt on my own; I always knew Dr. Phillips was there should I need help or advice.
While completing my research, I was also applying to public administration graduate programs. I was thankful that I received acceptances and financial aid offers from all of them. This fall, I will be moving to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I will spend the next two years in their Master of Public Administration program. While there, I will work in an appointment as a Research Assistant. This position will pay for my education and further my research experience. I know that I would not have gotten this opportunity without my work on my honors thesis. I am so grateful for the personal and professional growth writing and defending a thesis has given to me, and I look forward to doing more research with this foundation in the Research Triangle in the upcoming years.