Let’s face it: We stan any organization that can efficiently multitask, especially since we’re always on the lookout for productivity inspiration. Somehow, The Guardian found a way to effortlessly comment on the price of political indifference to the global refugee crisis while concurrently commemorating World Refugee Day, which is held annually on June 20, is meant to commemorate refugees who have courageously sought asylum from problematic—and often dangerous—situations in their home countries.
Needless to say, The Guardian used its platform to basically subtweet those indifferent to the plight of refugees through their print edition. Using their print newspaper and their digital presence (because there are few things better than subtweeting via multiple verticals), the publication reported that approximately 34,000 refugees died during their migrant journey to Europe—and that statistic only accounts for refugees killed since 1993.
The Guardian today has printed in their newspaper a list of 34,361 refugees who are known to have died trying to make it to Europe. pic.twitter.com/IqqLD5rCCX
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) June 20, 2018
To create continual awareness about World Refugee Day, The Guardian is also remembering the twelve asylum seekers who lost their lives while in certain Australian detention centers.
Meanwhile, Stateside, Vox notes that President Donald Trump (who just signed an executive order to detain families at the U.S. border together, indefinitely) is valiantly humble bragging about treating the US refugees fairly and compassionately. Which makes you wonder whether this major print power move from the Guardian isn’t a solid @ at folks who share those views, in addition to a solemn call for compassion for the millions of refugees around the globe.
Since the early pilgrimage from England were asylum-seekers who sought refuge in what’s now considered the U.S., it’s certainly no time for Americans to forget about the plight of refugees. Likewise, many of our relatives were refugees in the not-so-distant past. From Holocaust survivors-turned refugees after they were finally freed from their concentration camps to modern-day refugees, World Refugee Day is designed to commemorate individuals and families who are attempting to build a humane and empowering new life.