Response to Kwame Anthony Appiah, Cosmopolitanism


Prove Them Wrong - Fiction

Kudashov Igorevich is born in Soviet Russia, with parents who firmly believe in the narrative of the capitalist pigs versus the Russian communism. At the age of ten, Kudashov tells them that he wants to play Ice Hockey in the United States. Their response could only have been worse if he'd told them he was interested in men.
An athlete throughout all his childhood, his parents are usually supportive of his talents. They want him to be an Olympic pole vaulter, but his passion lies with hockey. This, they support. But they would sooner give Kudas up for adoption than let him move to America.
As adolescence flies by Kudas' skills only grow. Speculation rises within Russia about where this young star will play his hockey. Will he play nationally? Will he play for the Olympic team? But his dream of playing in the NHL only grows. He keeps his ambitions a secret from all, with the exception of his manager.
At the age of 20, his manager tells him that he has been offered a scholarship at an American college in Detroit, Michigan, to study and play Ice Hockey at a local level. Kudas leaves mere weeks later, giving up his life in Russia. He doesn't have the courage to confront his parents about his decision, having dinner with them on the night of his flight and leaving a letter in their mailbox.
In 1993, Kudashov, age 24, is drafted to the Detroit Red Wings. He quickly becomes one of the most prolific forwards in the NHL, helping to bring the team to the Stanley Cup Final only two years after he joins the franchise. Disaster strikes in the first game of the final series, when Kudas has his hand crushed against the boards, breaking his wrist so badly that people wonder if he will ever play again. Detroit lose the series to New Jersey.
Kudashov considers leaving the game. It will take many months before he can use his hand again for basics, let alone at a level required for professional hockey. He decides to return home and see his parents, for the first time in six years. 
On the way to the airport, he catches a glimpse of some kids playing hockey on a frozen pond. One of them wears a red and white jersey with the number 19 and the name Igorevich above it. Kudas tells the taxi driver to pull over and gets out of the vehicle. He walks over to the pond and the kid with his number notices him. 
He's got dark skin and curly black hair. He is perhaps twelve years old. The kid skates over to Kudas and looks up at him, eyes wide.
There is a silence for a moment, before the child's smile broadens and he calls his friends over.
"You boys having fun?" Kudashov asks. 
They all nod in agreement, although he notices that two of the players are girls. 
They all erupt into questions, bombarding Kudashov faster than he can register them. He makes out one question, from the African-American. "Will you ever play again?"
"I don't know," Kudas answers. "It's a long road to getting back out there."
All of the other kids go quiet. 
"I hope you do, when I grow up I want to play for the Red Wings, like you."
There are chuckles from a few of the other children. One of them speaks up. "Poor kid like you ain't ever gonna play for the Wings. Didn't your mom spend her life savings on that jersey?" 
The child frowns and Kudas places his hand on his shoulder.
"What's your name?" he asks.
"Dion."
"Well, Dion, anyone can get to the top if they work hard enough. Doesn't matter what family or country you come from. Hard work is a universal possibility. Prove them wrong, kid."
As Kudashov returns to his taxi, he knows that he will play Hockey for the Red Wings again.

Comments

  1. Sreedhevi IyerJuly 25, 2018 at 4:16 AM

    Whoa. This is a heck of a creative response to Appiah! Very intriguing. I wonder if you might consider making this longer at some point?

    ReplyDelete

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