2016-12-09
Viv Glance
Rafeif lived the early years of her life under a military dictatorship and saw first-hand the effects of war and government-sanctioned genocide take its toll on family, neighbours and country. In 2001, her parents, Rafeif and her two siblings, all under the age of eight, made the difficult and courageous choice to seek asylum, fleeing to Egypt to avoid being hunted down by the Sudanese government.
After three years as refugees, her family was accepted into Australia, and Rafeif acknowledges the life she enjoys today is due to the sacrifices of her parents. They gave up everything so that she and her siblings could have a chance at a life free from fear, persecution and poverty. She is proud to follow in their footsteps and the footsteps of other Sudanese advocates and activists.
During her time in Perth, Rafeif has seen family and friends suffer due to rising unemployment, the relentless cuts to health, education and social services. Seeing people work two or more jobs and still not make ends meet, reminded her very much of her bleak childhood in Sudan. The choice she faced was either to step forward or to fall back into apathy, and this was one of the most difficult choices of her life. She decided to become active, so she could help facilitate conversations around creating a space for working class people and People of Colour in politics and she is forging a path that she hopes many others will follow. Throughout her life, she has been surrounded by amazing activists and visionaries, whose teachings and actions inspire her today.
Rafeif joined the Greens because as a refugee and as a Woman of Colour in Australia, she shares their vision and courage for a better way.
We asked Rafeif our classic 20 Questions to get some insight into the woman behind the candidate — and discovered a generosity of spirit and deep care for others, along with a few surprises.
1. What do you remember about your first election?
My very first election was in 2013, it was also when I volunteered for the Greens for the very first time, handing out How To Votes at my local booth. Honestly, the 2013 federal election was a little traumatic for me, the major parties were running with their ultra-nationalist xenophobic campaign against asylum seekers and refugees and as I arrived at my local booth, to find banners and posters proclaiming 'You will never call Australia home I felt afraid, hurt and angry, for my family, my friends, my community and all the diverse communities that have worked and sacrificed so much to find a place in Australia.
I think it was on that day, that I could finally find the vocabulary to explain the visceral nature of racism because hate speech is never 'just words that fade away and that trauma lingers. My family arrived in Australia when I was eight years old, and for the last 13 years, I have been constantly rebuilding my identity, trying to reconcile my existence with that of a nation that does not seem to value the existence of bodies like mine. I had spent so long trying to find my place in Australia yet on that day, and the months leading up to it, it seemed that the majority of the nation sent a clear message that people like me were not welcome, it was heartbreaking. I felt alone and othered in a place I had known as home.
Four years later, instances of hate speech and violence against bodies of colour are on the rise, not to mention the atrocities of offshore detention, all perpetuated by the actions of a government that is set on dehumanising and demonising vulnerable people.
The 2013 election was the first time I was old enough to vote; it was such a privilege to be in a nation where such a democratic process was followed. I ended the day feeling disheartened but also hopeful, that the same process that brought the Abbott Government would one day bring a government that will represent ALL Australians.
2. Endangered Australian animal who's captured your heart?
Ive recently learned about the Orange-bellied parrot, and it has definitely captured my heart.
3. Whats your precious place and why?
The bushland surrounding the area where I live — it is absolutely beautiful and should be preserved for future generations.
4. Favourite Greens policy?
Our asylum seeker policy.
5. Best part of your work with the Greens?
The amazing people I get to meet and interact with. Going to where people are and hearing their stories.
I think being involved with the Greens, is to see true democracy in action every day, and thats wonderful!
6. What keeps you going?
The amazing work of all the activists in this country, in Sudan and around the world. The hope that what we are building now will have a long-lasting impact. My dream is to see new and emerging communities not just surviving but thriving in Australia, to see those communities represented in all levels of politics. The hope that one day a government will exist that will represent all Australians.
7. Favourite political song?
One of my favourite songs in Arabic translates to 'We Will Build It, written by the poet Mahjoub Sharif, its a song of hope despite struggles and I always feel energised listening to it.
In English, Beyoncés "formation" video is at the top of the list — it is an amazing tribute to Black Womanhood.
8. Who inspires you? Why?
My parents, who never stopped standing up for what they believed in, even in the face of torture and loss. The resilience of Sudanese activists, in the country and in diaspora.
We live in a world where violent histories are constantly overwritten, erasing the struggles of those who tried to bring about change, and of those who suffered under violent systems. I admire people who choose conviction over comfort because when people are in a place of privilege, it is often easy to ignore violent actions yet it takes great courage to stand by what is right.
9. Comfort food?
All Sudanese food, especially Malah Wayka (its like an okra curry that is eaten with kisra/injera) and my mother's falafel recipe.
10. What would you spend $20 billion on?
Erasing the HECS debt of everyone I know. Free education if that could be achieved by $20 billion.
11. Secret vice?
Memorising poetry and plays when I am tired and/or stressed.
12. Best coffee/drink in town?
Green Tea Latte at 1982 Expresso in Subiaco.
Or the Ethiopian Coffee at Injera House in Mirrabooka.
13. Three apps you cant live without?
Whatsapp , Kindle, and Facebook.
14. What did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronomer who was also Secretary-General of the United Nations — my six-year-old self had huge dreams.
15. Morning run or night time swim?
To be honest, the closest I would come to sport would be a Netflix marathon… but night time swim definitely sounds better than a run.
16. Whats your greatest hope for the future?
I hope for a country where we are not torturing people who seek asylum.
17. Magic wand to solve one world problem — what would it be?
Ending poverty and hunger worldwide.
18. What advice would you give a new volunteer?
Please remember to take care of yourself. The work we do is amazing and exciting that it is very easy to lose ourselves in it. Your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing matter, so look after yourself!
19. You can travel through time – where do you go?
Back to my last exam so I can add just one more sentence!
20. If you werent doing this for a living, what would you be doing?
Im not doing this for a living. Im currently trying to finish my undergraduate degree and study for the GAMSAT. I would like to one day help devolve a best practice system to support young survivors of torture and trauma. I think especially with the treatment of young people in offshore detention, that system will be needed.
More info about Rafeif for the WA 2017 election can be found on her page.