Resettled Refugees and African Americans in the Same Neighborhoods
Insights for Intergroup Dynamics and Multicultural Community Building
Wonhyung Lee (University of Albany) and Lindsey Disney (University of Albany)
In the wake of various global conflicts, the term "refugee" is increasingly prevalent in daily news, with their growing presence in many states and municipalities.
Once in the United States, refugees seldom settle in concentrated camps. Instead, they integrate into existing neighborhoods. Due to limited resources upon arrival, they often resettle in neighborhoods where they face challenges such as cramped living conditions, malfunctioning appliances, pest issues, and even violence, often without adequate landlord attention. Some of these challenges mirror long-standing housing issues experienced by low-income residents.
Historically, newcomers, non-citizens, and immigrants faced struggles that were once likened to those of African Americans under the concept of the "underclass." Under-resourced immigrants may share characteristics with the Black underclass, especially their racial and ethnic distinctness and concentration in declining inner-city neighborhoods. Recent observations indicate that refugees and native Black Americans often share geographical boundaries due to similar socioeconomic challenges.
Our study delves into the relationship between resettled refugees and native Black Americans who share neighborhoods but may experience distinct realities. We aim to understand if refugees and native Blacks perceive their surroundings similarly; if they interact; and whether they view each other as strangers, threats, or potential allies for collective problem-solving. Our investigation focuses on intergroup dynamics and local power relations between "old locals" (incumbent residents) and "new locals" (resettled refugees) to assess opportunities for community building between these historically minoritized multiethnic groups.
Our study employs census analysis, spatial mapping, and in-depth interviews with those who identify themselves as part of the refugee community in two cities: Albany, NY, and Clarkston, GA. The relationship between new and old locals is complex, as they resonate with one another while diverging on their lived experiences. The two groups share concerns about low-quality housing, poorly resourced schools, high crime rates, fears of police brutality, systemic oppression, and discrimination as a common denominator that affects their lives in the U.S.
However, each group had differing experiences, particularly with the police and the type of poverty they encountered. While some refugees experienced racial profiling, others had positive interactions with the police, even Black refugees. Additionally, refugees did not share the same history of systemic racism endured by native Black Americans, leading to differing views of the U.S. government and law enforcement based on their homeland experiences.
Despite limited interaction between refugees and native Black neighbors, cooperation was considered possible and desirable. Shared concerns about social issues and mutual empathy could form the basis for future coalitions. Neighborhood-level initiatives, such as maintaining street signs, addressing absentee landlord issues, and preventing gun violence, garnered interest from both groups. Several concrete suggestions were made to promote mutual understanding, including cross-cultural activities for youth and neighborhood activism for adults.
The shared and diverging experiences of refugees and native Blacks prompt a deeper discussion on the urbanization of refugees and the urban poor. As an increasing percentage of refugees (up to 80%) live in urban areas, the areas where refugees and non-refugees intersect will change significantly. This research on the relationship between refugees and native Blacks is timely as these groups are also diversifying. For instance, refugees and immigrants from the Caribbean and Continental Africa may be perceived as Black and may identify themselves as African Americans, depending on their legal status and time in the U.S. Religious identity, as exemplified in the stories of Somali Muslim refugees, further complicates this intersectionality.
Understanding intergroup biases and dynamics is valuable for conceptualizing the meaning of the “underclass” and promoting political coalitions among historically minoritized groups. These multiethnic neighborhoods offer insights into how newcomers adapt to and transform their surroundings while negotiating their power and rights to the city.
Wonhyung Lee, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Dr. Lee's research centers on the process of neighborhood revitalization and asset building in disadvantaged multicultural communities. Some of her recent works examined refugees’ access to jobs. She serves on the board of Refugee Welcome Center, a nonprofit organization in Albany, New York that provides affordable housing and neighborhood-based services.
Lindsey Disney, PhD, is an assistant professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Dr. Disney's research expertise is refugee wellbeing, including refugee resettlement, refugee mental health, and refugee health disparities. Dr. Disney has worked as a clinical social worker at a refugee-serving community agency in Clarkston, Georgia for over a decade.