In her 1996 article in Cultural Anthropology, Liisa Malkki argues that refugees are “speechless emissaries.” Draw from Malkki’s article, lectures, and tutorials to explain this argument. Your explanation should address the following questions:

Question

What identity stereotypes are associated with the term “refugee”? (2)

How do Malkki’s research participants relate to and/or perform refugee identity stereotypes? Be sure to answer this question both from the point of view of the refugees with whom Malkki conducted fieldwork and the refugee administrators whom she met at the end of her fieldwork. (4)

How does Malkki draw from her observations to conclude that refugees are “speechless emissaries”? (2)

Referencing (2)

Answer 1

1. The identity stereotypes associated with the term "refugee" often depict them as helpless, passive victims in need of aid, or as threats to the host society. These stereotypes can dehumanize refugees and limit their agency and ability to shape their own narratives.

2. Malkki's research participants, the Hutu refugees she worked with in Tanzania, actively challenged and resisted these stereotypes by engaging in various forms of resistance and agency. They were not passive victims, but rather demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness in navigating their displacement. For example, the refugees engaged in small-scale trading, marriage arrangements, and political organizing within the refugee camps.

At the same time, the refugee administrators Malkki met towards the end of her fieldwork seemed to unwittingly reinforce certain stereotypes about refugees. They viewed the refugees as dependent and in need of control, perpetuating the narrative of refugees as a burden rather than as active agents.

3. Malkki argues that refugees are "speechless emissaries" because they are often expected to represent their entire community or nation, yet are denied the agency and platform to speak for themselves. The refugees she worked with were often asked to speak on behalf of all Hutu refugees, yet their voices were marginalized and their experiences oversimplified by external actors. This lack of agency in shaping their own narratives and representing themselves leads to a sense of speechlessness and powerlessness in their role as emissaries.