Great Plains Studies, Center for
Date of this Version
Fall 2004
Abstract
The print media has the potential to educate the general public about newly arriving Great Plains populations, influence refugee resettlement programs, and motivate volunteers to assist in transitions. Thus, accuracy of news items is crucial to successful assimilation of new populations to host communities. In this paper, we provide results from a content analysis of eight Nebraska newspapers regarding Sudanese refugees. We focus on refugee population descriptors, cultural characteristics, resettlement issues, and refugee goals to determine what could be learned about refugees from Sudan if one used local print media. Consistent with theories of stereotyping, results suggest that limited, and sometimes erroneous, information would be acquired about any of the Sudanese tribes if one relied exclusively upon print media. Despite this potential setback, Nebraskans are assisting Sudanese refugees in resettlement and learning how difficult it is for refugees to understand and incorporate US culture into their fragile existence.
Comments
Published in Great Plains Research Vol. 14, No. 2, 2004. Copyright © 2004 The Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Used by permission.