This American Life 872: Winners
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Nov 2, 2025 Sam Busa, a South African organizer, established the AmeriConners group to help white South Africans navigate U.S. refugee policies after one of Trump's executive orders. She discusses her rollercoaster journey from shock to mobilizing a movement, addressing complex questions of identity and persecution. Sam explains how she built a supportive network, tackled logistical challenges, and became an official partner with the State Department. Through her efforts, she exemplifies the power of grassroots organization in navigating immigration while reflecting on the intricacies of modern refugee dynamics.
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The Power Of Declaring Victory
- Declaring yourself a winner creates momentum and opens possibilities even if it sounds corny.
- Ira Glass argues that the winner mentality is a deeply American engine for action and risk-taking.
A Midnight Wake-Up Call In Orania
- Uist Strydom woke at 3 a.m. to find Executive Order 14204 mentioning Afrikaners by name.
- He felt ecstatic that the U.S. president publicly acknowledged Afrikaner grievances.
Vagueness Becomes Opportunity
- Executive Order 14204 used broad language that left key details unspecified, creating an opening for interpretation.
- That vagueness let private citizens and officials decide who qualifies and how the program would work.