Annotated Bibliography

Burmese Annotated Bibliography

Harkins, Benjamin. “Beyond “Temporary Shelter”: A Case Study of Karen Refugee Resettlement in St. Paul, Minnesota”.  Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies. 10:2 (2012): 184-203. Web. 1 May 2013.  This article examines a specific Burmese refugee community in St. Paul Minnesota.  St. Paul, Minnesota was chosen because it currently houses the largest number of Karen refugees in the nation.  The article provides information on both the history in Burma that created the need for refugee resettlement, as well as the actual resettlement processes these refugees are facing in America.   This article could be useful because it explains how St. Paul is helping this group of refugees resettle in America successfully, which could certainly be applicable to Burmese refugees in Denver.

Kenny, Paul and Kate Lockwood-Kenny.  “A Mixed Blessing: Karen Resettlement to the United States”. Journal of Refugee Studies. 24:2 (2011): 217-238. Web. 1 May 2013. This article specifically details the resettlement process of Burmese refugees.  It considers the role of the government in the process and the role of voluntary organizations. The paper covers many areas of resettlement, including healthcare, employment, and education.  This article can be useful in understanding exactly how the resettlement process works for this ethnic group and which parts of the resettlement process should be readdressed, as well as which parts are working well.

McKay, Sonia. Refugees, Recent Migrants and Employment : Challenging Barriers and Exploring Pathways. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2008. Ebook Library. Web. 02 May. 2013.  This book looks at the refugee experience, and specifically refugee employment, from a broad perspective.  It includes all kinds of refugees— from all different backgrounds.  It looks at employment from many perspectives including policy understandings, academic understandings, and more.  This article can be helpful in gaining a fuller understanding of refugee employment as a whole and how the policies work and don’t work.

Milbrant, Jay. “Tracking Genocide: Persecution of the Karen in Burma.” Texas International Law Journal. 48:1 (2012): 63-101. Web. 1 May 2013.  This article describes and analyzes the situation in Burma that has led to many Burmese Karen people immigrating to the United States as refugees. This article can be helpful in researching this group because in order to make sure their needs are met currently, it is important to understand their past.  

Mitschke, Diane B., Aaron E Mitsche, Holli M. Slater and Consoler Teboh. “Uncovering Health and Wellness Needs of Resettled Karen Refugees from Burma”. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 21:5 (2011): 490-501. Web. 1 May 2013.  This article covers the struggles and needs of Burmese refugees who have recently resettled in America.  The article discusses how the primary need of these refugees is employment, but it is a struggle to find employment due to their lack of education and English skills.  This article can be helpful in understanding how difficult it is for the Burmese refugees to find work, and what barriers exist in getting them employed.