Running Head: CULTURAL IMMERSION, MUSLIM AND THEN SOME

Kerstin Eshelman
Cultural Immersion, Muslim and Then Some
Georgia State University

CULTURAL IMMERSION MUSLIM AND THEN SOME

Interviewing Mina will be the most complex of my immersions. Mina is an African

American, Yankee transplant, lesbian, Muslim, who has experienced single parenting, domestic
abuse, and the kidnapping of her youngest child by her Muslim ex-husband. She is currently
married to her partner and has just earned her Masters degree in computer science. Interviewing
her is important because people are an amalgam of cultures and identities man of which change
over time. Assisting and finding services and resources for people can be as complex and
contradictory as the people themselves. Beyond the juxtaposition of her conflicting identities,
Im curious as to how the Muslim community has reacted to her divorce and current relationship.
It will be a fascinating bonding experience over pizza and San Pellegrino.
My stereotypes regarding this immersion are centered on the Muslim community. My
understanding of their extreme patriarchal society and radical subordination of women is
unnerving. Some Muslim extremists, orthodox Muslims, follow laws that include honor killings.
There are women in some countries that are in prison for their safety. Muslim traditions involve
female circumcision that is for the sole purpose of eliminating the possibility of sexual pleasure
for the female in order to promote fidelity. Intimate partner violence is a concern. Stoning people
is a current punishment. Homosexuality among Muslim communities is punishable by flogging,
stoning, or death. Because of this and more I am uncomfortable around Muslim men. The
nervousness I have when interacting with Muslim women is due to not wanting to put them in a
dangerous situation.
The interview took place in Mina and her wife Kims West End home. I was cautioned as
I parked to watch for broken glass as Kims car had been broken into the night before. I was
greeted by warm hugs and burning incense. After pizza and pleasantries I started my recorder
and we began to work my way through my list of questions. The interview lasted for about two
hours and was enlightening.
Mina, with her laundry list of targeted identities, explained that she has experienced
discrimination, oppression, and prejudice from every culture she is a part of. The LGBTQIA
community is resistant of her because she is Muslim and recently lesbian identified. Her places
of employment have discriminated against her because she is female in a Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupation. Her traditional Muslim community turned
against her when she left her abusive husband and identified herself as a lesbian. Mina has a
diverse group of close friends from many walks of life. Her eclectic collection of friends is
because nearly every community that she is a part of is in conflict with the other, except for the
LGBT Muslim community that she has found. They are a close-knit and supportive community
working to educate others and care for themselves.
Most people will consider what to wear for the day in terms of weather and
appropriateness. Members of some subordinate groups will consider peoples perception of them
and their safety. A man may not want to dress in drag in some areas of Georgia because it would
put him in danger. Mina being Muslim has fewer safe places. The Muslim community in the

CULTURAL IMMERSION MUSLIM AND THEN SOME

Atlanta area is cohesive and tends to live in pockets, which is a double-edged sword. They are a
small enough community that they know or are aware of each other. Word travels quickly.
Certain transgressions can put a person, particularly a female, in physical danger. Other
transgressions can cause a person to be an outcast. Because the community is self-isolating, it is
possible for a transgressor to live within blocks of that community in relative safety. However,
it is an isolating experience and a misstep into one of the communities can have dire
consequences.
Mina was kind enough to enlighten me regarding the Muslim communities. There are
many. Through the media we only hear of the Suni, Shia, and the fundamentalists. The truth is
that, although there is the main division, Suni, and Shia, there are lots of different sects. There
are Muslims that run the range from orthodox to liberal and conservative to radical. There are
even secular Muslims. The term Muslim in this country is used incorrectly as addressing the
whole when it should only be addressing its parts. She explained that, though my concerns are
valid and appreciated, the vast majority of Muslims do not reflect the concerning beliefs or
behaviors. The variety and stereotypes are not dissimilar to Christians.
Learning that there are LGBTQIA communities and progressive movements within
Muslim communities were positive highlights from our conversation. Having concerns validated
in that there are local Muslim communities that abide by the negative stereotypes we have been
presented in the U.S. was a low point. I had hoped, unrealistically, that my concerns were wholly
invalid. Because of the intersectionality and the juxtaposition and conflict of Minas identities, I
ended the interview with what I hoped would be the most important question. What advice do
you have for my cohort of soon to be social workers? She said to consider the whole person,
dont make assumptions, and listen. I think that is great advice for people, not just social
workers.
As with all of the different cultural groups we have touched upon in class and through
immersions, there is more to learn. If the Muslim community is a group that will be encountered
in my practice, I need to learn more about etiquette and perspectives so that I may be of service. I
intend to revisit Mina, ply her with more pizza and non-alcoholic beverages, and ask her many
more questions. I also have an acquaintance who is a Refugee Ministries Coordinator that works
with a diverse population including Muslims. I intend to seek information from her regarding
working with Muslim and other groups so that I may be a more effective Social Worker.