I find the school and town politics in regards to the formation of the soccer team to be absurd but true. All too often, things are not done until the "right" person comes along. In the book, the idea of a soccer team was shot down until Gary Phillips decided to speak to the superintendent. The quote can be found on page 65.
Quote:
"He would talk to Larry Mabe, the superintendent. He would ask for a favor. "He owes me," Phillips said."I stuck by him during the latest school budget and he pretty much got what he wanted."
It's very sad that the interests of children are not put first. Instead, community politics plays a huge role. It was clear the formation of a soccer team could help Latino students assimilate into American society. However, the principal was too worried about the football field and community feelings to consider the interests of these Latino students. How often do school personnel make decisions that effect students based on community politics? I am not naive to think that community involvement is not important but should it rule administrative decisions?