I was pleased to see my new book, “Making Refuge: Somali Bantu Refugees and Lewiston, Maine,” reviewed in the Feb. 14 Maine Sunday Telegram (“Book review: ‘Making Refuge’ a compelling analysis of Somali Bantu refugees in Maine”).
I would like to correct an unfortunate misreading of my argument, however.
Contrary to the review, the book does not suggest that social service workers (teachers, health care workers, social workers, the police) should bend or break the law on behalf of refugees.
Rather, my point is that some social services workers in Lewiston faced a steep learning curve in their efforts to find sources of support for newly arrived refugees, and that their frustrations betray the scant support structures available for all poor people with whom they work, not just resettled refugees.
Readers who are interested in learning more are invited to a free public reading from “Making Refuge” at 6 p.m. Monday at the Portland Stage Company.
Catherine Besteman
Portland
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