Luma Mufleh Character Analysis

Liminality was the term used by Warren St. John, (author) of Outcasts United, to describe

how the refugees and residents of Clarkston, Georgia coexisted during the late 1980’s and early

1990’s. This transitional phase among the residents caused them to second guess their personal

identities and self-worth, isolate themselves, and rethink their overall sense of belonging within

the community. A select individual, who managed to address these issues and utilize them to

personally develop and even influence skeptics, was Luma Mufleh. The efforts of Luma to solve

these conflicts became a testament as to how one person can make a difference. Though

liminality amongst the town, the team, and a coach would prove to be challenging, it also

showed that

These revisions, in turn, allowed them to reorganize its framework and vary their

culture.

A prime example of an individual who resolved the personal issues and problems

encountered by liminality among Clarkston residents was Luma Mufleh. Luma was a unique

advocate of this, state of being, because she redeveloped both herself and others. She

understood that by redirecting these problems, it would promote an opportunity for change.

Luma herself, had experienced a significant change to her personal identity, when she made the

bold decision to close Ashton’s and file for bankruptcy (60-61). She was not shy about

admitting her failure and how ashamed she was of herself, but instead saw it as a chance to

seek out other prospects that would benefit herself and the families of the soccer players she

coached (60-61). Openly admitting to her failure and suggesting the idea to begin helping

others despite their misfortune, were the initial steps Luma took to reinvent herself and her

position in the community. This traumatic experience inspired Luma to help refugee families

combat isolation and personal issues of their own. Her plan was to start a small