This episode highlights the narratives of two immigrants in Harrisonburg, Zee AlKhater and Nasser Al Saadun. As we hear more from Nasser Al Saadun, who was featured in the first episode, we want to introduce Zee AlKhater into the conversation as well. We draw attention to the similarities of their experiences as refugees, ranging from their time in the country they travelled from, Iraq, to their well-established lives in the Shenandoah Valley. While the episode does highlight the resemblance between the two stories, the overarching theme emphasizes the individuality and humanity in each of them. Referencing “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, we hope to establish a different perspective of “the huddled masses.” The word immigrant is established in the identity of many people, but the value of the person extends far beyond that label. 

The episode was inspired by those who helped make it possible, including Zee AlKhater and Nasser Al Saadun, Dr. Fagan, and JMU libraries’ special collections and digital specialists. It is under their direction that we have the honor of sharing the voices of immigrants in Harrisonburg, and it is because of them that we are inspired to continue capturing the essence of this project outside of the classroom. 

Sources:

Lazarus, Emma. “The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46550/the-new-colossus.

Munro, Ian. “Nasser Al Saadun: Integrating Refugees into Harrisonburg.” The Breeze, 22 Jan. 2018, www.breezejmu.org/influentials/nasser-al-saadun-integrating-refugees-into- harrisonburg/article_20c40cf4-df56-11e7-81ed-7778f2699b5b.html. 

Saadun, Nasser Al, oral history conducted by Daniel Brennan, 2009, The Shenandoah Oral History Project, 2005-2009, SdArch 29, Special Collections, Carrier Library, JamesMadison University, Harrisonburg, Va. 

“The Iraq War.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org/timeline/iraq-war.

In the podcast episode “Ten Million Souls”, we explore the lives of two immigrants: Nasser Al Saadun and Ana Arias. Both Nasser and Ana have been through traumatic events in their home countries. But, they both also bring up the mental struggle of adapting to a new culture in the United States. 

Ana Arias was born in Manaus, Brazil. She went to Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California for two years before returning to Brazil. She later continued her education at Eastern Mennonite University majoring in Psychology. She worked at the Collins Center for 12 years as a sexual assault therapist. She now works for the Harrisonburg Public School system as a trauma therapist. She lives in Harrisonburg with her husband and three sons.

Nasser Al Saadun was born in Kuwait. He received his B.A at the University of Basra in Iraq. After graduating, he became an interpreter for the British and United States army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This job created many dangers for Nasser and his family. So, he immigrated to the United States. He then received his Master’s Degree in Education from Eastern Mennoite University. He now works at James Madison University in the Foreign Language Department as an Arabic Instructor. 

Links:

“Affection.” Royalty Free Stock Audio, Special Effects and More, www.audioblocks.com/stock-audio/affection-bxz2g2oz8k69tat9h.html. 

Al Saadun, Nasser. “Support Office Of New Americans.” Daily News-Record, 13 Feb. 2020, www.dnronline.com/opinion/open_forum/support-office-of-new-americans/article_613df9ec-bfcb-5f0d-beb2-b13e3bcde50d.html.

Radford, Jynnah. “Key Findings about U.S. Immigrants.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 17 June 2019, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/17/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/.

“Refugee Blues by W H Auden.” By W H Auden - Famous Poems, Famous Poets. - All Poetry, allpoetry.com/refugee-blues. 

Risen, James, et al. “Leaked Iranian Intelligence Reports Expose Tehran's Vast Web of Influence in Iraq.” The Intercept, 18 Nov. 2019, theintercept.com/2019/11/18/iran-iraq-spy-cables/ 

Saadun, Nasser Al, Oral History Conducted April 2009, in Shenandoah Valley Oral History Project, 2005-2009, 1677, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. 

“The U.S. Invades Panama.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Feb. 2010, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-u-s-invades-panama. 

 “We Are Millenials.” Royalty Free Stock Audio, Special Effects and More, www.audioblocks.com/stock-audio/we-are-millenials-hb4f1xgf_0hk4brm9cq.html. 

Producers: 

Emily Baker: Audio Editor

Arielle Gick: Host/Interviewer

Kara Myers: Host/ Content Editor

Madison White: Content Editor

Hello and welcome to the Harrisonburg 360 Podcast! The JMU students who produced the episodes of this podcast are eager to share the stories of Harrisonburg, Virginia immigrants from the past and present.

This podcast was produced with the support of JMU Libraries and Special Collections. Special thanks to Nicole Wilson, Elaine Kaye, Kirsten Mlodynia, Kate Morris, Bodeene Amyot, and Sarah Roth-Mullet for their extraordinary, unfailing guidance and support.