A story behind every refugee | Abdi Nor iftin | TEDxAmoskeagMillyard

Growing up in war-torn Somalia, Abdi Nor Iftin’s love of Hollywood movies helped him learn English — and also helped him learn to tell his own story. Eventually, his stories were picked up by journalists across the globe, and the stories he filed secretly — under penalty of death — became just one more unusual step in his journey to becoming an American citizen. In this deeply personal talk, Abdi shares his story, reminds us that every refugee and immigrant has a story to tell. In his memoir, Call Me American, Abdi Nor Iftin recounts his harrowing, extraordinary, and uplifting journey from Somalia, talking about immigration, being a refugee, and his new life in America.

Abdi was five when the civil war in Somalia began and attended a madrassa (school) while providing for his family. Amidst the daily shelling of the war and the famine, he had one escape: American movies and music. He learned about America, taught himself English (from watching those American movies), and began to dream of a life in the United States. Evading conscription by al-Shabaab while secretly filing stories for NPR under penalty of death, he stayed in Somalia until he had no choice but to flee to Kenya. While, there, he says he had an incredible stroke of luck, and he won the Diversity Visa Lottery in 2014. His story was chronicled on “This American Life” in this episode: “Abdi and the Golden Ticket.” He became a U.S. citizen in 2020. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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