Outcasts United 1

What do we learn about the refugees, Clarkston, GA, and Luma? What is your opinion regarding the situations presented in this selection? As refugees arrived and changed the little town of Clarkston. Clarkston was once an all- white county with all white schools now has students from over 50 countries. As refugees arrived in Clarkston, they changed the dynamic, anger built up among long- time residents. In the late 1980’s and early 90’s, agencies that relocated refugees selected in Clarkston as a home for new arrivals from around the world. Clarkston’s motto is “Small town… Big heart.” The town had a surplus of inexpensive apartments, access to public transportation, and was close enough to the dynamic economic engine of Atlanta to offer the prospect of jobs for newcomers. By 2003, there was hostility to refugee resettlement in Clarkston began to organize, and residents had enough. At the same time, a stranger to Clarkston decided to start a soccer team, for refugee boys, her name was Luma. Luma grew up in Amman. Her parents were wealthy and strict. She decided to stay in the States after college, which drove a wedge between Luma and her parents. Luma’s father cut her off completely because he did not like the decisions that she made. Luma moved to Decatur, Georgia, it is a small neighborhood on the eastern side of Atlanta. She met some refugee boys outside of a grocery store and started to bond with them. That is when she

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What do we learn about the refugees, Clarkston, GA, and Luma? What is your opinion regarding the situations presented in this selection? decided to start the soccer program for the boys. She changed the lives for so many. I was so pleased to hear that Luma took time out of her life to change these boys life. When they were having the town meeting, I was proud of the people of Clarkston for standing up for themselves. Another scene that I loved was when the sign-up sheet was up for the boys, both refugee and American boys could sign up.