Chapter 1: Disrupting A Single Story About Refugees Through Teaching About An Gorta Mór, The Great Hunger in Ireland

Thousands of displaced refugees, most recently Afghans and Ukrainians, are seeking resettlement in the United States, yet many Americans have little or no understanding of the complex events and political issues that force people to become displaced (Goldberg, 2011). The refugee experience is interwoven throughout the history of the United States since before it became a nation until the present day, yet historically, Americans have not been particularly welcoming to refugees (DeSilver, 2015), indicative of a deeply entrenched xenophobia that has been a characteristic of the United States since its’ inception (Lee, 2019). How can educators help American children make sense of what they see and hear in the news, disrupt stereotypes and misinformation about refugees, and consider how they can welcome their new neighbors and classmates?