These are the stories of the South East Asian Refugees who came to Salt Lake City in waves throughout the eighties. Utah barely noticed these people at the time.

Asian Refugees Formidable Journey Preliminary Steps to Coping in U.S. (580px, full page 800px, PDF)

I will never forget Huy. He was short, agile, and nimble. He moved around like a basketball player. He was a ball of fire. The kids called him ‘Helicopter’. Often he came to class late. He opened the door quickly and sank into his seat noiselessly. He never gave me a chance to protest. He didn’t like the name ‘Helicopter’. It reminded him of a tragic part of his young life story. His father fastened him to his back with rope in the last minutes as Saigon was handed to the communists. Huy’s Father carried him to a helicopter. He told of how his sister was suffocated on her mom’s chest while the mother was plowing her way through the throngs and swarms of the fleeing people. His little sister’s dead body was thrown out of the helicopter by the pilot along with heavy baggage. He said, “My sister’s name meant blue bird. I saw her when she flew for the last time”.

My little Huy was a poet not a helicopter.

The Valley's Real Wild Flowers Appear As Eager, Active Vietnamese Children (580px, full page 800px, PDF)

. The Valley's Real Wild Flowers Eager, Active Vietnamese Children

Arash said, “He is the Judge who issued the death sentences to everyone in my prison. He is a killer. He must be arrested!”

***

The bearded man stuffed a big portion in his frogmouth, wiped his greasy lips with the back of his hand and stood up. He carried the tray to the kitchen counter and turned to leave. I could see his face better. His eyes were watery gray. I saw hard mucus crust in the corner of his eyes. - Excerpted from Camel Jockey Go Home.

S.L. Teacher of the Year Does More Than Educate Students (580px, full page 800px, PDF)

I can promise you, graduates of that class are well-informed, staunch, liberal Democrats. I would have been fired promptly, at any other school, ceremoniously excommunicated and stoned to death.

***

Eesa was in the class that spanned the Clinton impeachment. As with the rest of the world, my students could not understand all the fuss over a little ‘spanky spanky.’ The Somali ladies made good use of their colorful scarves to hide their giggles. Especially during the infamous ‘stained dress’ episode, the scarves would be adjusted to cover their mouths almost in unison. It was a great, long ‘teachable moment.’ - Excerpted from Camel Jockey Go Home.

American Dreamer, Deseret News, 1998 (580px, full page 1200px, PDF)

. 1998 Article About Payman, American Dreamer, Deseret News, 1998