Today in Focus Revisited: From child refugee to Guardian reporter: one journalist’s extraordinary story
Dec 31, 2024
Aamna Mohdin, a community affairs correspondent at the Guardian and author of "Scattered," shares her incredible journey from child refugee to journalist. She discusses the emotional weight of reporting on the refugee crisis, a narrative deeply intertwined with her own family's history. Aamna reflects on her visits to refugee camps, exploring identity, privilege, and the resilience of those affected. She emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling to reshape perceptions and confronts the tragic realities faced by refugees today.
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First Assignment
- Aamna Mohdin's first major assignment was covering the Calais refugee camp, "The Jungle".
- The experience evoked a sense of familiarity and anxiety she couldn't initially explain.
Repressed Past
- Aamna's mother's casual mention of their past in Kakuma refugee camp revealed a hidden connection.
- Aamna realized her anxiety stemmed from her repressed past as a refugee.
Encounter in Calais
- In Calais, Aamna met a young Somali refugee who had fled the same war as her family.
- His question, "How did you do it?", made her British passport feel heavy with unearned privilege.
