In Warren St. John’s, “Outcasts United” the transition from war-torn countries to the United States wasn’t the easiest for the refugees. Despite their situation, the old-time residents of Clarkston didn’t feel any empathy for them. While the youth in the refugee community in Clarkston came together and learned how to communicate amongst each other, part of the town adapted to the changes that came and part of them fled. St. John gives us a new insight on what refugees all across the country have possibly been through as well how refugee communities affect pre-dominatingly Caucasian areas. He strongly expresses themes like poverty, prejudice and cultural identity.
Being a refugee in Clarkston wasn’t a very pleasant experience. Most of the families …show more content…
“Chime stood out for his success. He dressed well and every few years leased a new car. But his newly leased cars seemed to attract scrutiny and even hostility from local police officers who were used to seeing refugees riding around in beat-up vehicles with dented bumpers and sagging suspensions” (St. John 83). Officer Jordan was a new officer in the Clarkston Police Department. “Jordan had been fired from another police force in the area for excessive use of force, and was found “unfit” to serve as a police officer in a psychological review, in part, the therapist wrote, because of his volatile temper” (St. John 82). As a result, Jordan was assigned to have another officer monitor his behavior, but by the time he pulled over Mr. Chime, he was trusted enough to work the shift alone. But, even then there would still be a witness to his altercation with Chike Chime in the form of a dash camera mounted on his police cruiser. Officer Jordan snapped and assaulted Mr. Chime because he questioned the reason he was being detained. After Officer Jordan was done beating and pepper spraying Mr. Chime unconscious, his camera caught him yelling, “It’s you—it’s Africans. I have nothing but problems from you guys. Always love to argue. That’s why there’s so much crap going on around here—because you guys don’t understand I’ve got a job to do” (St. John 84). Sometime after, what Chime remember …show more content…
Not only did the refugees bring diversity and jobs to Clarkston, but they also brought unintentional crime. Instead of protesting and fighting back the refugee’s pouring in, they simply isolated themselves away. “Older Clarkston residents lived on one side of town in roughly 450 old house, simple gabled structures with front porches and small front yards. They were separate worlds—economically, socially, and otherwise—but since they were packed together on about one square mile, there wasn’t much space between them” (St. John 35). The old-timers are not to blame for their fear of change.
Outcast United provided a great insight into what it might be for a new refugee moving into America. St. John gave us reasons why both sides were right and wrong for their actions. The refugees faced the struggles of being the outcast and not being welcome to somewhere they didn’t choose to be but where they ended up. As we see in Outcasts United, there isn’t a way to make different types of people live with each other in harmony without each side accepting their differences from each
Being a refugee in Clarkston wasn’t a very pleasant experience. Most of the families …show more content…
“Chime stood out for his success. He dressed well and every few years leased a new car. But his newly leased cars seemed to attract scrutiny and even hostility from local police officers who were used to seeing refugees riding around in beat-up vehicles with dented bumpers and sagging suspensions” (St. John 83). Officer Jordan was a new officer in the Clarkston Police Department. “Jordan had been fired from another police force in the area for excessive use of force, and was found “unfit” to serve as a police officer in a psychological review, in part, the therapist wrote, because of his volatile temper” (St. John 82). As a result, Jordan was assigned to have another officer monitor his behavior, but by the time he pulled over Mr. Chime, he was trusted enough to work the shift alone. But, even then there would still be a witness to his altercation with Chike Chime in the form of a dash camera mounted on his police cruiser. Officer Jordan snapped and assaulted Mr. Chime because he questioned the reason he was being detained. After Officer Jordan was done beating and pepper spraying Mr. Chime unconscious, his camera caught him yelling, “It’s you—it’s Africans. I have nothing but problems from you guys. Always love to argue. That’s why there’s so much crap going on around here—because you guys don’t understand I’ve got a job to do” (St. John 84). Sometime after, what Chime remember …show more content…
Not only did the refugees bring diversity and jobs to Clarkston, but they also brought unintentional crime. Instead of protesting and fighting back the refugee’s pouring in, they simply isolated themselves away. “Older Clarkston residents lived on one side of town in roughly 450 old house, simple gabled structures with front porches and small front yards. They were separate worlds—economically, socially, and otherwise—but since they were packed together on about one square mile, there wasn’t much space between them” (St. John 35). The old-timers are not to blame for their fear of change.
Outcast United provided a great insight into what it might be for a new refugee moving into America. St. John gave us reasons why both sides were right and wrong for their actions. The refugees faced the struggles of being the outcast and not being welcome to somewhere they didn’t choose to be but where they ended up. As we see in Outcasts United, there isn’t a way to make different types of people live with each other in harmony without each side accepting their differences from each