In your country, if you are not scared enough already, you…
““In your country, if you are not scared enough already, you can go to watch a horror film... For me and the girls from my village, horror is a disease and we are sick with it. it is not an illness you can cure yourself of my standing up and letting the big red cinema seat fold itself up behind you. That would be a good trick... But the film in your memory, you cannot walk out of it so easily. Wherever you go it is always playing. So when I say that I am a refugee, you must understand that there is no refuge.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote likens the persistent trauma of being a refugee to an unshakable horror film that cannot be escaped, emphasizing that the fear and memories remain ever‑present.
In simple terms: Refugee trauma is like a horror movie you can’t leave.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address lingering trauma.
Themes
trauma
refugee experience
memory
fear
identity
Mood
anguished
reflective
Type
narrative
political
emotive
When to use this quote
- asylum seekers
- mental health counseling
- community support groups
- media portrayals of refugees
Key Concepts
psychological horror
survivor guilt
displacement
Questions to Reflect On
- How does constant exposure to trauma affect daily life?
- What can societies do to create true refuge?
A Different Perspective
Healing may be hindered by societal denial and lack of safe spaces.