Michelle Chen's Analysis Of The Refugee Crisis

Michelle Chen's analysis of the refugee crisis in her piece "Over 2,000 Migrants Have Died Crossing the Mediterranean So Far This Year", looks at this global issue from a humanitarian perspective. She argues that the European Union's political decision to deny many migrants the opportunity to enter their country is built on xenophobia, breeding an us versus them mentality rather than a united one. Chen uses two compelling variables to connect with the reader. Firstly, she appeals to the critical mind by providing substantial evidence and opportunity for critical assessment. After that, she appeals to our sentiment and answers the questions, so what? Why is this issue so important that someone had to sit down and write about it? Therefore,
Chen effectively provides an opinion that can be backed up with substantial evidence leading to piece that is both informing of the current politics in Europe, as well as leading the reader to a compelling change in perspective. Chen builds her argument on European officials using false pretenses such as "border security" to breed toxic indifference in their own countries, while ignoring the plight of others. Her opinion is then backed up with substantial evidence that migrants from mainly African countries are forced upon a path of exploitation, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and in many cases death. As a rescue worker described, "Every rescue now is a tragedy waiting to happen."( Chen, 2017) She argues that this is no problem to right-wing governments who "have repeatedly refused to resettle refugees, often expressing anti-Muslim and racist antipathy toward the migrants." ( Chen, 2017 ) This form of evidence combined with opinion leads to a well constructed overall argument. Furthermore, Chen talks about certain countries within the European union trying to make amends per say, and actually trying to help migrants rather than exploit them. Such countries include Greece and Germany whose migration policies are not as strict, yet need some collaboration from other European countries. However, even their ability to help migrants is suppressed and wiped away by government officials upholding white supremacist ideals, leads to asylum claimants not receiving due process. (Chen, 2017) Chen using this example in her article shows how the power structure in Europe comes before anything else, effectively communicating to the reader that European Union ministers have little consideration for those who do not fall under their definition of who is important. Additonally, another example showacasing Europe's indifference to thos ethey deem less important is the European Union working with the Libyan coast gaurd