This American Life 872: Winners
34 snips
Nov 2, 2025 
Khanna Jaffe-Walt, a reporter and producer, narrates the story of the AmeriConners, while Sam Busa, a South African organizer, mobilizes efforts for resettlement. They discuss the impact of a controversial executive order, outlining how it excited many South Africans and the community’s unique response to potential refugee status. The duo explores identity, the legacy of apartheid, and grassroots organizing that transformed a small movement into a thriving initiative. Their insights reveal complex discussions around persecution, legality, and the future of refugee policies.
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Belief Creates Possibility
- Deciding you are a winner creates possibilities and shifts behavior in tangible ways.
- Ira Glass argues that self-belief fuels action across American culture and history.
Named In An Executive Order
- Uist Strydom woke at 3 a.m. to read Executive Order 14204 and felt stunned to be named.
- He describes the moment as like a favorite band saying "happy birthday" to you.
Rejecting The 'Refugee' Label
- The executive order framed Afrikaners as "Afrikaner refugees" which surprised Uist and others.
- Uist insisted Afrikaners belonged in Africa and did not want to be refugees.