Summary and Response to Abdi and the Golden Ticket, Episode 560

In this episode, the narrator presents the audience an encounter of Abdis journey to fulfilling his dream of becoming an American citizen after winning the Green card Lottery. At the beginning of the episode, the narrator gives an overview of reactions from different people across the globe upon receiving news of their selection as lottery winners. Excitement and celebration is the typical reaction of all DV lottery winners. The narrator then introduces one of the 2013 Lottery winners Mr. Abdi Nor whose is a Somali Refugee living in Kenya. Upon receiving news of his selection, Abdi expressed joy and excitement like any other winner. His life dream of going to America had finally seen the light of the day. Nevertheless, Abdi was not aware of the obstacles and challenges ahead of him. During this period, Al-Shabaab a militia group allied to Al Qaeda, which forced him out of Somalia is extending its attacks to Kenyan cities. As a result, the Kenyan Police launched an operation in such of the militia members who were believed to be residing in Eastleigh a place where most Somali refugees lived Abdi being one of them. The episode is divided into two parts Act one and two. Act one gives a narration of the police raid to Abdis resident after the Westgate terrorist attack. It describes the harsh treatment and brutality the refugees went through during the raid. Also, it gives an overview of the challenges that Abdi encountered in his aim of getting police clearance certificate which was a requirement for issuance of the US visa. Act two is about the life-threatening events Abdi faced his first visa rejection due to an unsigned transcript, issuance of US visa after Leo Hornak call, and finally his journey to America and issuance of the green card.

The episode is a clear description of the challenges and obstacles that refugees encounter mainly those from countries associated with terror groups. While the refugee runs for their lives in another country, they do not receive a warm welcome. To their host, there is no difference between them and the terrorist militia. This fact is evidenced in the episode. Abdi is escaping Somalia to save his life from the Al-Shabaab militia. However, his heathen does not guarantee him any safety. From police to the citizens, he is seen as a terrorist. Furthermore, while the refugees run out of their country to find peace, they encounter police brutality and torture. Innocent civilians are killed, and other gets injured in the name of unearthing the outlawed and dangerous groups. In this regard, the refugees are not assured of safety in their home country neither do they find it in their host country.

Also, Abdi narrative is a show of the discrimination and suffering of refugees as they seek an opportunity to better their lives. The mistreatment that he received in his attempt to obtain a certificate of good conduct is an evidence of suspicious that exist in the host countries. Also, one can guess the reason for denying him the visa in the first instance was because he studied in Mogadishu, Somalia. So, it was easy to discriminate him using a minor excuse. All in all, Abdi narrative is a great encouragement of never giving up until you achieve what you want in life. Abdi attempt to secure a Student Visa failed, but this did not bar him from trying his luck on DV Lottery. Also, he was consistent until the police issued him a certificate of good conduct. Again, he concentrated on learning English as well as speaking in the American accent. Due to this, he finally got the Golden Ticket and became an American citizen making the fulfillment of his childhood dream.

Works Cited:

Glass, Ira. Abdi and the Golden Ticket: Episode 560 This American Life (2015). Accessed from: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/560/transcript