Citizen Akoy

by Steve Marantz

  3. Street of Dreams

  In this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Mabel Boyd, Raydelle Meehan, Adaw Makier, Gutluak Kang, Tarir Gatuoch, and Akoy Agau.

  elementary school from 1888 to 1983: Dick Ulmer, “Mason Past like Page of History,” Omaha World-Herald, February 25, 1983.

  South Sudanese arrived in Omaha: Refugee Empowerment Center history, http://refugeeempowerment.org/.

  “we pledge to support”: Colin Powell and Angelina Jolie, UNHCR press release, June 18, 2004, http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2004/6/40d2eb694/jolie-powell-launch-world-refugee-day-celebrations-washington-dc.html.

  “Accept yourself as you are”: John Ferak, “Sudanese People Gather in Honor of World Refugee Day,” Omaha World-Herald, June 21, 2004.

  “never give up hope”: Antonio Guterres, UNHCR press release, June 20, 2006, http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/admin/hcspeeches/448e87d52/statement-mr-antonio-guterres-united-nations-high-commissioner-refugees.html.

  4. Prophecy

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Akoy Agau, Tarir Gatuoch, Eric Behrens, Scott Hammer, Bruce Chubick, Dianne Chubick, Tim Cannon, Herb Welling, and Edward Bennett.

  “change someone’s life”: Luol Deng, UNHCR public service announcement, World Refugee Day, 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k1ykfaMviU.

  Texas booted a football player: “The Wild Wild Web: Social Networking Sites Offer Excitement, Traps for College Athletes,” Anderson Independent-Mail, July 12, 2009.

  social network rules: Pete Iorizzo, “Siena Players Go on Defense over Facebook,” Times Union (Albany NY), October 21, 2009.

  “be careful about what you post”: “Obama’s Q&A with 9th-graders,” Los Angeles Times, September 8, 2009, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/09/obama-chat-with-ninth-graders.html.

  5. Central

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, A’Jamal Byndon, Linda Ganzel, Changkuoth Gatkuoth (formerly Lol Kuek), Rick Behrens, Gaylord “Doc” Moller, Eric Behrens, Herb Welling, Scott Hammer, Chad Burns, Jay Landstrom, Rod Mullen, Tim Shipman, and Akoy Agau.

  first and oldest high school: Barry Combs and Jim Wigton, “Central High School Historical Timeline 1854–2016,” Central High Foundation, http://www.chsfomaha.org/images/Documents/Historical-Timeline-Optimized.pdf.

  later ran the Omaha Bee: David Bristow, A Dirty Wicked Town: Tales of 19th Century Omaha (Caldwell ID: Caxton Press, 2000).

  Five generations of: Central High Foundation and “Historical Timeline.”

  Latino enrollment began to rise: Omaha Public Schools records.

  Sudanese refugees arrived: Omaha Central High O-Books, 1998–2005.

  “Create the Legacy”: Omaha Central High O-Book, 2010, p. 13, http://omahachsarchives.org/yearbook.php.

  6. Trust

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Akoy Agau, Eric Behrens, Jay Landstrom, Dominique McKinzie, and Rod Mullen.

  he flipped a soft pass: YouTube, “Akoy Agau highlights,” published July 9, 2010, by africanballer9. 1:06 to 1:10; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ra3kTwxqOk&t=41s.

  7. Stardom

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Eric Behrens, Jen Stastny, Adaw Makier, Scott Hammer, and Denise Powers.

  “mature beyond his years”: Ryly Jane Hambleton, “State Champs Have Underclassmen Filling Key Roles,” Lincoln Journal Star, March 15, 2010.

  “take me to college”: Daria Seaton, Central High Register, February 4, 2010.

  “refugees are survivors”: Barack Obama, Proclamation 8538, World Refugee Day, June 18, 2010, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=88069.

  two-thirds of Americans opposed: Drew Desilver, “U.S. Public Seldom Has Welcomed Refugees into Country,” Pew Research Center, November 19, 2015.

  Franklin Roosevelt appeased: Richard Cohen, “FDR’s Moral Failure on the Holocaust,” Washington Post, March 11, 2013.

  “last flickering light of humanity”: Senator Pat McCarron, Congressional Record, March 2, 1953.

  Displaced Persons Act of 1948: Harry Truman, “Special Message to the Congress on Aid for Refugees and Displaced Persons,” Public Papers, March 24, 1952, https://www.trumanlibrary.org/publicpapers/index.php?pid=947.

  refugees from Indochina: Edward Walsh, “U.S. Doubles Quota of Asian Refugees,” Washington Post, June 29, 1979.

  20,000 fewer: Refugee Council USA, http://www.rcusa.org/.

  80,000 were too many: Refugee Resettlement Watch, https://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/.

  celebrated the diversity: Mary Pipher, The Middle of Everywhere (Orlando FL: Harcourt, 2002).

  “three Muslim brothers”: Tom Andres, “The Muddle of Everywhere,” Amazon customer review, April 25, 2004, https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2JUJG1WEZWDTN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0156027372.

  upsurge in South Sudanese gangs: Kathleen Massara, “The Gangs of Omaha: Sudanese Who Fled Their War-Torn Country Face Growing Violence in Their Ranks,” Alternet, December 7, 2010.

  youngest player ever: “Basketball: Jays Back in Omaha League,” Omaha World-Herald, June 28, 2010.

  video of his highlights: You Tube, Akoy Agau highlights July 9, 2010, 3:12, published by africanballer9, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ra3kTwxqOk&t=38s. Video is no longer available.

  8. To Absent Moms

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Eric Behrens, Jay Ball, Akoy Agau, Paulino Gomez, and Edward Vinson.

  “basically the whole United States”: Nick Rubek, “Hoops Star Tackles Football,” Omaha World-Herald, September 20, 2010.

  taken out an insurance policy: David Lee Morgan Jr., LeBron James: The Rise of a Star(Cleveland: Gray and Company, 2003).

  locker room talk: Jay Landstrom highlight video, 2010–11 season.

  9. “True Faith and Allegiance”

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Charlotte “Lotte” Sjulin, Ann Sjulin, Dave Sjulin, Akoy Agau, Mike Sautter, Adaw Makier, Scott Hammer, Susan Mayberger, Keith Bigsby, and Michelle Synowiecki.

  “to prepare young people”: http://concordiaomaha.org/ (school website).

  served about 1,350 refugee students: Omaha Public Schools ESL-Refugee Report 2011, http://district.ops.org/departments/GeneralFinanceandAdministrativeServices/Research/StatisticalReports/tabid/2338/Agg7692_SelectTab/4/Default.aspx.

  teen literacy centers: Erin Grace, “Young Refugees Race to Build Future,” Omaha World-Herald, July 22, 2012.

  “No one wants to become a refugee”: Ban Ki-moon, “Secretary General’s Message for 2011,” UN.org, http://www.un.org/en/events/refugeeday/2011/sgmessage.shtml.

  Legislation proposed: “Leahy Introduces Refugee Protection Act,” Senator Patrick Leahy press release, June 15, 2011, https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/in-advance-of-world-refugee-day-leahy-introduces-refugee-protection-act.

  Results were announced: “Sudanese Set Great Example,” Omaha World-Herald, January 21, 2011.

  Economic development was hamstrung: Ted Dagne, “The Republic of South Sudan: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa’s Newest Country,” Congressional Research Service, July 25, 2011.

  PLAS: Nebraska Department of Education website, Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools, https://www.education.ne.gov/arra/plas.html.

  10. @ZerotheHeroAkoy

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Akoy Agau.

  After its debut: “18 Million Twitter Users by End of 2009,” Mashable, http://mashable.com/2009/09/14/twitter-2009-stats/#wlxirzwocsqs.

  4.2 million followers: Lahle Wolf, “Twitter Statistics,” The Balance, September 23, 2016, https://www.thebalance.com/twitter-statistics-2008-2009-2010-2011-3515899.

  “it will stay there foreve
r”: Shaleigh Karnik, “Social Networking: Gift or Curse?” Central High Register, April 21, 2011.

  dustbin for anonymous snark: “#Central Probs Twitter Account Paints a Negative Picture of Central,” editorial, Central High Register, January 6, 2012.

  11. Families

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Akoy Agau, Amadu Swaray, Ann Sjulin, Dave Sjulin, Lotte Sjulin, Bette Ball, and Paul Nielson.

  Marital stress: Amadu Swaray, “Divorce Rate amongst African Immigrants,” Swaray Law Office LTD, August 24, 2010, http://www.swaraylawoffice.com/2010/08/divorce-rate-amongst-african-immigrants/.

  12. Perfection

  In this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Doug Goltz, Eric Behrens, and Tre’Shawn Thurman.

  could make Nebraska history: Nebraska State Activities Association, basketball history/records, https://nsaahome.org/basketball/.

  “run the table”: “Expectations High for Eagles,” Omaha World-Herald, December 1, 2011.

  “learned to block softly”: Ryly Jane Hambleton, “Agau Comfortable Holding Court on the Court,” Lincoln Journal Star, March 24, 2013.

  “controlled chaos”: Sam McKewon, “Central’s Dynasty,” Omaha World-Herald, March 7, 2012.

  “kind of got lazy”: Nick Rubek, “Agau Helps No. 1 Central Pull Away,” Omaha World-Herald, January 28, 2012.

  “really bothering him”: Stu Pospisil, “Agau Has Surgery, May Play in Districts,” Omaha World-Herald, February 20, 2012.

  “Some of the words”: Sam McKewon, “Central’s Dynasty,” Omaha World-Herald, March 7, 2012.

  “pressure situation”: Ken Hambleton, “Omaha Central Squeaks Past Bears,” Lincoln Journal Star, March 9, 2012.

  Behrens congratulated his players: Jay Landstrom highlight video, 2011–12 season.

  13. Basketball and Business

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Ann Sjulin, Adaw Makier, Denise Powers, Keith Bigsby, Scott Hammer, and Leisha Hammer.

  It capped attendance: Jonathon Braden, “Central Turns Away 200 or So Hopefuls—the Downtown High School Is out of Room and Joins Burke in Capping Enrollment,” Omaha World-Herald, March 5, 2012.

  Bigsby, who told a reporter: Braden, “Central Turns Away 200 or So Hopefuls,” Omaha World-Herald, March 5, 2012.

  described a player: ESPN Scouting Report, http://insider.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/evaluation/_/id/102637/akoy-agau.

  Within four years: Kurt Badenhausen, “LeBron James Tops the NBA’s Highest-Paid Players 2016,” Forbes, January 20, 2016, https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2016/01/20/lebron-james-tops-the-nbas-highest-paid-players-2016/#c389ed64508e.

  NBA minimum salary: “NBA Annual Salary Scale,” http://www.nba.com/news/cba_minimumsalary_050804.html.

  $99 average ticket price: statista.com, https://www.statista.com/statistics/220764/nba-average-ticket-price-for-los-angeles-lakers-games/.

  Pitino would make: “Pitino, Calipari among Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches”, USA Today, July 1, 2013.

  The average pay: https://www.aaup.org/reports-publications/2013-14salarysurvey.

  Kentucky woman was convicted: Shaun Assael, “Rick Pitino Extortion Trial: The Full Story,” espn.com, September 20, 2010.

  In February 2018 the NCAA would vacate: Jeff Greer, “Louisville Forced to Vacate 2013 Men’s Basketball Title after NCAA Denies Appeal,” USA Today, February 20, 2018, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2018/02/20/louisville-forced-vacate-2013-mens-basketball-title-after-ncaa-denies-appeal/355189002/.

  14. Temptation and Decision

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Akoy Agau, Eric Behrens, Tre’Shawn Thurman, Keith Bigsby, Tra-Deon Hollins, Dave Sjulin, Scott Hammer, and Leisha Hammer.

  allegations surfaced: Katina Powell, Breaking Cardinal Rules (Indianapolis: IBJ Book Publishing, 2015).

  infamous rant about Boston: Matt Dolloff, “Negativity Sucks: 5 Famous Sports Figures Who Infamously Blamed the Media for Their Problems,” CBS Boston, November 13, 2015, http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/11/13/5-sports-figures-blame-media-problems/.

  15. Standing Bear and Brando

  In this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Michele Roberts, Akoy Agau, Jen Stastny, and Jay Ball.

  Holocaust Literature: Gerda Weissman Klein, All but My Life (New York: Hill and Wang, 1957).

  The Ponca were a peaceful tribe: Joe Starita, I Am a Man (New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2008).

  “a citizen beyond all dispute”: Starita, I Am a Man, pp. 144, 145, 150, 151, 157.

  hired as a secretary: Susan Mizruchi, Brando’s Smile (New York: Norton, 2014).

  Dodie Brando was a mainstay: Omaha Community Playhouse website, http://www.omahaplayhouse.com/about/view/history/.

  Fonda played opposite: Bob Fischbach, “As the Omaha Community Playhouse Turns 90, We Look Back at Its Rich History,” Omaha World-Herald, March 30, 2015.

  allegory and critique: Karina Longworth, “On the Waterfront, Elia Kazan (Blacklist Episode #13),” May 23, 2016, in You Must Remember This, podcast, 47:45, http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/2016/5/23/on-the-waterfront-elia-kazan-blacklist-episode-13.

  as Brando wrote in his autobiography: Robert Lindsey, Brando: Songs My Mother Taught Me (New York: Random House, 1994).

  Along the way he met: Andrew Morton, Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography (New York: St. Martin’s, 2010).

  philanthropic nonprofit: Guidestar.org.

  promoted Jolie: UNHCR.org, “Special Envoy Angelina Jolie,” http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/special-envoy-angelina-jolie.html.

  “I honestly believe”: Angelina Jolie, Notes from My Travels (New York: Pocket Books, 2003).

  16. Dynasty Blues

  In this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Eric Behrens, Herb Welling, Rod Mullen, Jen Rooney, and Emily Beck.

  Milan High had an enrollment: “The Milan Miracle of 1954,” milan54.org, http://milan54.org/milan-miracle-1954/.

  Akoy the highest-rated: Rivals.com, rivals 150, 2013 Prospect Ranking, https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2013.

  Huntington Prep: https://www.huntingtonprep.com/huntingtonprepprogram (Huntington Prep website).

  ranked it twentieth: Maxpreps.com, High School Basketball Rankings, 2012, http://www.maxpreps.com/rankings/basketball-winter-11-12/1/national.htm.

  “We had to prove”: Stu Pospisil, “Eagles Know Tough Game Still Ahead,” Omaha World-Herald, December 20, 2012.

  “They’re in tears”: Stu Pospisil, “California Power’s Late 3 Sinks Central,” Omaha World-Herald, December 20, 2012.

  “Nebraska has some jewels”: Stu Pospisil, “After a Taste of Respect, Eagles Hungry for More,” Omaha World-Herald, December 21, 2012.

  17. Four!

  In this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Eric Behrens, Tre’Shawn Thurman, Jay Landstrom, Henry Hawbaker, Tim Shipman, Tra-Deon Hollins, and Akoy Agau.

  Fifty-five D-1 scholarship players: Oak Hill Academy basketball website, http://www.oakhillhoops.com/home.

  “a signature win”: Stu Pospisil, “Huge Feather in Nest: Omaha Central’s Eagles Scored Arguably the Most Prestigious Win in State Prep History, but Still Want More,” Omaha World-Herald, February 11, 2013.

  “Harlem Globetrotters”: Dirk Chatelain, “Turning Class A into Washington Generals,” Omaha World-Herald, March 10, 2013.

  18. Spring Prom

  Unless otherwise noted, in this chapter author interviews are with, and quotations from, Ann Sjulin, Akoy Agau, Henry Hawbaker, Thor Tripp, Denise Powers, Jacob Bigelow, and Edward Bennett.

  Eagles Basketball Day: Joe Duggan, “Gov. Heineman Honors Central High Basketball Team with Official Day,” Omaha World-Herald, March 18, 2013.

  “Harlem Shake”: “All-State Shake Video,” Omaha.com, March 23,
2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxw1r6gsz5k.

  “leaned over the balcony ledge”: Ryly Jane Hambleton, “Agau Comfortable Holding Court on the Court,” Lincoln Journal Star, March 24, 2013.