Our Pick for December 2009
Outcasts United by Warren St. John
Dana’s Comments
"Jesus said heaven is place for people of all nations, so if you don’t like Clarkston, you won’t like heaven." --Pastor Phil Kitchin of the Clarkston International Bible Church"
Just outside of Atlanta, the town of Clarkston has become a melting pot of legal immigrants from countries all over the world. Outcasts United is the story of those families, the struggles they encountered in a new country and the coach who was determined to be there for them no matter what.
It was hard for me to believe the kind of prejudice the Fugees soccer team experienced was still going on in a major metropolitan area - but it was comforting also to know that the young sons of these families had such a champion in Luma Mufleh.
About the Book
Outcasts United is the story of a team of refugee boys, the remarkable woman who coaches them, and the town where they live, a once-sleepy southern hamlet that has been upended by the process of refugee resettlement. It's a story about the challenges posed by our quickly changing world, and one that reminds us of what is possible in this country when we put our values in action.
- It's all well and good to think about this situation occuring in someone else's town, but what if it was your town that experienced and influx of refugees. How do you think you would react?
- Why do you think Luma was so strict with the boys about things like hair cuts and studying? And do you think her rules are what made the team successful? Was she too strict?
- There seems to be a pretty major disconnect between the opportunity many refugees thought they’d experience in the United States and the reality of their lives once they get here. Do you think our government should be doing more? Or less?
- Like a lot of people in the book, Luma is searching for a home in a way as well. Discuss her journey and what you think drove her emotionally to create the team and persevere when the odds were against them.
- There’s a scene early in the book in which the father of a rival player is watching his son select the proper cleats for his soccer shoes and he says, “I paid $200 for those shoes, so you better pick the right ones.” What did you learn from the economic disparity between the Fugees and their competitors?
- There's some discussion in the book about the way the refugees were treated by the police. For example the refugees were receiving traffic tickets at a far higher percentage than most. Do you feel the police were right in doing this - or should they have been more flexible in dealing with the refugees limited understanding of the traffic laws?
- Discuss Mayor Swaney and his treatment of the Fugees and the refugee community in general. Was he just trying to balance the needs of all his citizens or was he off base?
Chicken, Kalamata Olive and Roasted Red Pepper Tart
This time of year I figure we need something delicous but EASY! Since we're all busy with the holidays, I thought this Chicken Kalamata Olive and Roasted Red Pepper Tart from Whole Foods would be just the ticket. You might even try substituting the chicken with some of your leftover turkey. In the mood for more easy appetizer recipes, check out the Whole Foods website for lots of great ideas!
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cups shredded chicken, white or dark meat
- 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
- 1 cup shredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Thaw puff pastry completely and unfold. Slice in half lengthwise to make two long rectangles. Place on a large parchment-covered baking sheet, leaving at least an inch of space between rectangles. Use two baking sheets if needed to avoid overcrowding. With a paring knife, score a 1/2- inch border around each rectangle. This will allow the edge of the pastry to rise, creating a border. Brush both rectangles with beaten egg.
- Arrange chicken, peppers, olives and tarragon on the pastry, keeping toppings inside the border. Sprinkle with cheese and black pepper. Place in hot oven and bake for 15 minutes until edges of pastry are golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut each rectangle into 3 pieces and serve hot.
Nutrition
Per serving (1/6 tart/88g-wt.): 210 calories (90 from fat), 10g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 21g protein, 5g total carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber, 0g sugar), 85mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium
Related Books:
|