Outcasts United

by

Warren St. John

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Outcasts United: Epilogue Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
In the months following, the Fugees’ problems become more manageable. Paula Balegamire learns that her husband was not killed in the riot and was set free months later. He hopes to reunite with his family in the U.S. or Europe.
Although Grace’s father is safe, St. John continues to point out the issue with resettlement, and America’s failings in making sure that families can reunite.
Themes
Refugees, Discrimination, and Resilience Theme Icon
Luma and Mandela reconcile gradually. She tells him that it would be a good idea for him to get away from Prince and other friends who are dropping out of school. With her help, he applies to Job Corps, a U.S. government program that provides vocational training to young adults and offers the chance to earn a high school degree. He is accepted and graduates in November 2008 with his high school diploma.
Luma continues to prove that she is willing to work hard and put faith in people who will do the same. Once Mandela recognizes that Prince is not a good influence, Luma helps Mandela find a program that will give him much better future opportunities than he would have had otherwise.
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Leadership and Respect Theme Icon
Discipline, Dedication, and Success Theme Icon
Several Fugees are accepted to Pfeiffer University, a liberal arts college in North Carolina. Shamsoun even receives a scholarship to play soccer. Other Fugees have seen their grades improve and become more fluent in English. But there are still challenges, as kids fall away or are dropped from the program if they don’t meet academic expectations. Additionally, local public schools continue to fail the refugee population. Luma discovers one of her young players received an A in English, yet she knows the boy is almost completely illiterate.
St. John highlights other ways in which Luma has tangibly improved the lives of her players off the field, particularly in making sure they get an education. But he is also certain to highlight ways that the American educational system is failing refugees. It often doesn’t actually help them to learn English, but simply passes them along through the system.
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Refugees, Discrimination, and Resilience Theme Icon
Leadership and Respect Theme Icon
Many Fugees move out of Clarkston, which often just serves as a foothold in America. In 2007, Beatrice Ziaty moves with her sons to Iowa. Generose moves to Indiana. When Ive arrives, he calls St. John happily—he thought they were moving to a totally different country and is excited that he is already familiar with the culture there.
Beatrice and Generose’s families both exhibit even more resilience as they continue to move on and improve their lives, finding new communities that will suit them and their sons better.
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Refugees, Discrimination, and Resilience Theme Icon
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Many of the boys stay in touch with Luma, and even come back to Georgia on occasion to spend time at her home. Luma, for her part, turns her attention to other kids in need in Clarkston. She relays that the minute one kid leaves, another one takes his place, and “they’re all just as beautiful and innocent or messed up as the kid before them. So you can’t stop.”
Luma’s dedication to the Fugees is not only limited to the boys who began in her program. As more and more kids arrive in Clarkston, she knows that her efforts are just as important for them as they were for the kids who began in the program.
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Leadership and Respect Theme Icon
Discipline, Dedication, and Success Theme Icon
In January 2007, The New York Times runs a front-page story on the Fugees that St. John wrote while working on Outcasts United. As a result, Mayor Swaney is deluged with angry phone calls and emails. In the wake of public outcry, the City Council allows the Fugees to use Armistead field through the spring.
St. John’s article is helpful in that it informs others of Swaney’s discriminatory policies and allows a multitude of people who are not as vulnerable as the refugees in Clarkston to fight back against this prejudice.
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Refugees, Discrimination, and Resilience Theme Icon
Readers also donate to the Fugees in large and small amounts, including a bus. Nike provides equipment and uniforms. Luma has more funds to run her program and works to build a tutoring center and soccer facility. Additionally, the media attention prompts locals to come watch the Fugees play and cheer them on. The Fugees now have seven interns who help with the program.
St. John’s article also helps the team grow its community, as more and more people come out to support the Fugees or donate to the Fugees, which helps contribute to the program’s effectiveness and success.
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Community and Teamwork vs. Division Theme Icon
Luma is also frequently approached by teachers for advice on dealing with struggling kids. She says she doesn’t believe in any single method. Tracy once told St. John that Luma is “a normal person doing what she can for the people around her,” which is a much more inspirational model than the idea that Luma is a saint. She reminds people that everyone can do something for their community. The Fugees continue to thrive, helped largely by small donors who have decided to get involved and help Coach Luma.
By ending with Tracy’s evaluation of Luma, St. John is indirectly compelling readers to ask what they can do for their community. They may not be able to do as much as Luma had been able to, but they can be leaders in small ways. Everyone is a part of a community, and like the Fugees and their team, everyone has a civic duty to support one another in whatever way they can.
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Community and Teamwork vs. Division Theme Icon
Quotes