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Chapter 16
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Outcasts United, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Refugees, Discrimination, and Resilience
Community and Teamwork vs. Division
Leadership and Respect
Discipline, Dedication, and Success
Summary
Analysis
The following Tuesday, a council meeting is called to order at the Clarkston Community Center. Luma politely requests the use of Armistead field, explaining that the field at Indian Creek is all gravel and is an unsafe place for kids. The council members ask a barrage of questions about the use of the field—whether the program is just for boys, how old they are, and whether they are local kids.
St. John emphasizes, from the tone of the questions, how the council is immediately biased against Luma and the Fugees. Instead of being concerned for the boys’ safety on their current field, they are skeptical of the Fugees being able to use a nice field in a good neighborhood.
Themes
Luma answers their questions, and Mayor Swaney interjects to point out that the field at Armistead is unused. He says he doesn’t see anything wrong with their using the field and suggests that they let Luma use it on a trial period. His proposal changes the tone of the room, and the council members discuss among themselves before concluding unanimously that Luma can use the field for six months on a trial basis.
It is unclear exactly what motivates Mayor Swaney to give Luma a chance. But it does show that one person, even at the local government level, has a great deal of power to change the minds of others and enact policy that affects many underserved people. This will unfortunately remain the case when Mayor Swaney changes his mind and revokes the use of the field from the Fugees later in the book.
Themes
