Important article--please read

[jbeall]

If anybody in the Atlanta forum hasn't read this article yet, I highly recommend it. Refugees Find Hostility and Hope on Soccer Field (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/us/21fugees.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=00cc3b6f3c1dfded&ex=1170046800&emc=eta1).

FWIW, several folks in the general expansion threads have used this article as an argument against MLS expansion, which is total b.s. But that's neither here nor there.

I intend to write a letter to the mayor of Clarkston about this, but I'm not currently residing in Georgia, and I think it'll mean more he receives some letters from Georgia residents. Without accusing him of racism or anything like that, I intend to remind him that the metro-Atlanta area is the birthplace of three USMNT players and that it is a growing sport among suburban youth today. I also will tell him that soccer damages a field much less than football, and requires roughly the same dimensions.

Finally, I also intend to make a small donation to the Fugees. These kids have been through a lot in their lives, and Coach Luma deserves a lot of praise for the work she's doing to try to mold these boys into respectable men. It would be an utter shame if they can't afford to go to a tournament in Savannah because they're $130 short, so I hope everybody will pitch in a tiny amount. You can make a donation here: http://www.fugeesfamily.org/

[Eleven Bravo]

damn that guy's so patriotic that he won't let people play a SPORT because it goes against his personal beliefs.

que pasa Hitler

[jbeall]

Well, like I said, the mayor needs to know that soccer isn't just a 'fugee' sport. You couldn't have a much more Georgia-boy name than Clint Mathis!

I sent them $20 (all I can afford right after Xmas). I also emailed the Silverbacks and asked them if there was anything at all they could do to help the kids (even if it's just letting the Fugees use a practice field).

I don't want to think too coldly about it, but I guess this thread should have some relevance to the overall forum, and it'd be good publicity for the S'Backs if they could do something.

[BigKahuna]

jbeall, I'm not able to read the whole article right now but this type of situation falls perfectly in line with part of what MLStoAtlanta wants to do. I see this as a perfect opportunity to get our group involved. If you don't mind, post the contact info for the Mayor, the coach, or any others that you feel we should contact and make some recommendations about what we can do. We already have some contacts in the media and I think we should try to draw more attention to this.

[chlaga]

That is very interesting article. Thanks for the post.

Mayors quote.."Only baseball and cross burings allowed on these fields. Excuse me I mean only baseball and football on these fields."

[jbeall]

No problem, BigKahuna, glad you're willing to get involved!!

Here's the contact info: http://www.cityofclarkston.com/Conte...entCT.asp?P=39

City of Clarkston

3921 Church Street
Clarkston, Georgia 30021

City Hall
Phone: 404-296-6489
Fax: 404-296-6480
Email: cityhall@cityofclarkston.com

Mayor Lee Swaney
Phone: 404-296-6489
Fax: 404-296-6480
Email: mayor@cityofclarkston.com

Council Members
Email: council@cityofclarkston.com


And again, I'd encourage all letter writers to keep it positive and stick to some of the talking points I mentioned in the first post (although feel free to add any you can think of as well!). A lot of positive, thoughtful letters will go a lot farther than a bunch of angry ones calling the mayor and city council racists.

I'll repeat the talking points here:
1. Three current and former Nats come from the area (Wolff, Mathis, Clark). The area has a great history of producing players who have gone on to represent their country well. Clarkston can help contribute to that tradition by encouraging these kids to maximize their talent. It also keeps them off the street.

2. The majority of kids in this country play soccer. It's not just a sport for foreigners, but for homegrown kids, too. The "soccer people" the mayor refers to are his friends' children, his neighbors' children, and his constituents.

3. Soccer won't damage the fields any worse than football. Obviously, the "those fields weren't designed for soccer" is a silly argument, but it's easy enough to correct this misinformation.

[jbeall]

Good news! Last night I emailed the Silverbacks' P.R. Manager, Emmakate Young, and he replied this morning. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this info:




The article was amazing and word has moved fast. I read the article, made some phone calls, and found out one of my brother’s best friends is helping out with the team as well. I am going to personally donate time and hope to help with coaching or something. As for the Silverbacks, we currently have lots of pro-bono/donation stuff going on. Look for a new article on the website tomorrow. I know there are ways we can get involved with the Fugees, and I’m going to see what we can do. Thanks for your interest and your email. It’s a moving, important story and they’re doing wonderful things.

Thanks again,
Emmakate


The Silverbacks are a class organzation.

[Eleven Bravo]

what i don't understand is why some people are saying this is the reason why MLS shouldn't expand to Atlanta.

Where is Jim Rome from? LA!!! i guess we better move fast to get rid of the Galaxy and Chivas because there's soccer haters there.

[ATL_Iron]

Good news! Last night I emailed the Silverbacks' P.R. Manager, Emmakate Young, and he replied this morning. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this info:

The Silverbacks are a class organzation.

They are indeed, but Emmakate is a lady ;)

[jbeall]

They are indeed, but Emmakate is a lady ;)

OOPS! Sorry! :o

<attempting to take foot out of mouth> Kudos to Emmakate; she rocks!

[HeMan]

jimmy o'donnell posted this in the soccer in usa forum:

Here's the complete reply I received:



January 26, 2007

Statement to the Citizens of Clarkston and the Media

from Mayor Lee Swaney



The City of Clarkston has received several emails expressing concern for the Fugees soccer team stemming from a recent New York Times article. There is a misconception that the Fugees team and soccer in general is banned in the City of Clarkston parks. Please be assured that this is not the case and the Fugees have been practicing on Armstead Field since October 2006.



The New York Times reporter repeatedly confuses Milam Park Field - which is dedicated to little league baseball and unsuitable for soccer - with Armstead Field which is where the Fugees continue to play. The only limitations we have ever placed on either Armstead Field or Milam Park field are to restrict the usage to children only.



We are deeply disappointed in the tone of Mr. St. John's article. The report is factually inaccurate and several statements are taken out of context - apparently to present a more dramatic story and arrive at his own conclusions.



We are very proud of the Fugee's success which is a positive outcome from Clarkston being among the most culturally diverse cities in Georgia. Our population is 55.7 % African American, 19.4% Caucasian, 12.6% Asian and 12.3% representing over 52 nationalities. Our diversity is also reflected in Clarkston's City Council of six members with two African Americans and a Vietnamese refugee. I am delighted to see the recognition that Coach Mufleh and her team are receiving for their impressive success story. The Fugees represent the best of what the human spirit can accomplish by overcoming oppressive conditions in their native countries and coming together in their new community to achieve success through the power of sports and team work.





In October 2006, I encouraged Coach Luma Mufleh to attend a City Council meeting to request the use of Armstead Field for her soccer program. At that meeting, the Clarkston City Council unanimously approved her request to use Armstead Field for the remainder of this soccer season which is March 2007. Because of her program's tremendous success and positive contribution to Clarkston, I see no reason it will not continue. In fact, Coach Mufleh will return to the February Council meeting to renew her agreement to use Armistead Field for another year.



In December, we did receive several complaints that groups of adult men were playing soccer on Armstead Field. This is a violation of the allowed use of the field. We tried to contact Coach Luma several times to determine if the men were affiliated with the Fugees. When she could not be reached, a letter was sent to the YMCA to put the program on hold until a newly hired sports coordinator was on board. I was then contacted by Coach Luma and she assured me the men were not affiliated with the Fugees Soccer Program. I immediately reinstated the use of Armstead Field for their practices.



Sincerely,

Mayor Lee Swaney

City of Clarkston

leave it up to the NY times to try and make the south look bad.

[BigKahuna]

Glad to see that people's emails have led to this clarification.