From Here (Group 4)
From Here by Luma Mufleh
Reviewed by Rachel Kirley, Nathan Leal, Jacqueline Martinez
Review:
Luma Mufleh "From Here" is a beautiful and
tragic memoir that examines the relationship between determination, culture,
and identity. Mufleh recounts her journey growing up in a strict and harsh
society in Jordan. The memoir is a captivating story of survival, self,
discovery, and the costs of being different in a society that punishes
nonconformity. it is not simply a coming-of-age narrative. as it provides an
essential perspective on the experiences in the Muslim Community and the
broader immigrant narrative. more importantly the perspective and experience of
a young woman struggling to come to terms with her sexual identity,
acknowledging the tribulations those in LGBTQ+ experience. Mufleh's memoir
serves greater significance as it promotes empathy, disputes misconceptions,
and ultimately demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit. All that being
greatly beneficial for young readers and educators.
From Here is fundamentally a tale of bravery. Mufleh courageously recounts her early years in Jordan, where she was in grave danger due to her sexual orientation as well as the ultimate struggle of having represses her romantic feelings toward another woman. The novel makes it abundantly clear of the emotional stakes as she recounts having to repress romantic intentions with another woman, she feels an initiate connection with. With Luma depicting these events as sweet and sincerity, to then flip back the harsh reality of the predicament. Demonstrating the consequences of having affection for a person with the same gender. More importantly her affection towards another woman can lead to such danger. When she describes being detained at gunpoint for having a romantic involvement with another woman—an act that, in her community, could have resulted in her death—the stakes become painfully evident. She felt more alone and afraid because of her lesbian identity and the fact that she came from a well-known and well-respected family. Mufleh was nonetheless bound by the strict gender norms and homophobic sentiments ingrained in her community, even with the privileges her class rank provided. This conflict between privilege and oppression paints a complex picture of a woman who must decide between truth and safety. Greatly setting the readers of the tumultuous struggle of having to repress sexual orientation.
The structure of the novel is engaging and accessible. While the memoir is geared toward a younger demographic (about grades 7 through 9). The mature and sophisticated writing as well as tone on the novel is accessible for older readers as well. Mufleh begins the present-day reflections before venturing into a more chronological retelling of her upbringing. the significance of initiating this structure in the novel as it situates the readers in the emotional stakes before recounting her experience in a chronological fashion. Starting the novel in 2002 in (present time) of her acknowledging the complicated nature of her predicament to her daughter. To then recount her upbringing in the past during the 1980s in which the chapter encapsulates Mufleh’s defining characteristic of determination as well as empathy by saving a sheep. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, and language is emotionally resonant without being overwhelming. Mufleh expertly concentrates on significant events that shaped her identity and worldview rather than going into extreme detail about every encounter in her life. This not only keeps readers engaged but more importantly it enhances narrative's impact and relatability. Expert writing makes the work very compelling as it elicits fear, frustration, joy and sorrow with such sincere honesty.
More importantly, the novel serves as an educational tool, particularly at a time when many communities continue to experience Islamophobia and cultural misunderstanding. The narrative does not try to generalize or condescend. In a more nuanced manner, Mufleh provides a unique perspective to be both Muslim and a Lesbian. It avoids teaching by allowing readers to share in the experience of one person while promoting more empathy and introspection. The novel can serve as a demonstration for students who are not familiar with Muslim culture or experience of immigrants. It makes room for discussion about gender roles, societal expectations, and structural oppression while humanizing a narrative that is frequently distorted by stereotypes and news headlines.
In the end, From Here is a moving but uplifting book
that highlights the complex links between resistance, identity, and belonging.
Mufleh is unwilling to reduce her experiences into neat moral opposing views.
Choosing not to situate readers in a simply good against evil nature. Or
ultimately blaming her parents for continuing the circumstances that ultimately
constrain her. Instead, she offers a nuanced depiction of how societal
structures constrain and endanger those who deviate from the norm—especially women
and LGBTQ+ individuals in conservative communities. Her journey is shown as a
continuing fight for justice and self-acceptance rather than as a victory over
hardship in the traditional sense. Even when she migrates to the U.S she still
has the uphill struggle of trying to maintain her citizenship as well as trying
to struggle to sustain a relationship with her family. From Here is a must-read
and unforgettable book for young readers, teachers, and everybody else
interested in themes of resiliency and cultural understanding.
Biography:
Luma Mufleh is an entrepreneur, coach, CEO, and activist for the rights of refugee students and immigrant education. Mufleh would publish her coming-of-age memoir From Here in 2023, diving into her struggle of identity as a gay Muslim woman in a culture unaccepting. She received the Richard Cornuelle Award for Social Entrepreneurship from the Manhattan Institute in 2016 and was named a Civil Society Fellow at the Manhattan Institute in 2019.
Born to Syrian refugees in Amman, Jordan in 1975, Mufleh came to the United States in 1993 to attend Smith College, graduating with a B.A in Anthropology and completing the Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mufleh would come out to her family as gay during college, to which should we be disowned and applied for asylum, moving to Atlanta, Georgia once granted.
In 2004, Mufleh took a wrong turn into an alley and stumbled upon a young soccer team, most of them being refugees from war-stricken countries. Becoming their coach, she would soon take notice of how many of them struggled with basic reading and writing. Determined to provide them with the necessary educational opportunities, she would expand the group into an after-school program, summer camp, support network, and ultimately created a school dedicated to the education of refugee children in the United States. In 2006, she became the founder of Fugees Family Inc, a nonprofit organization that partners with public schools to help with English Learning. The organization has helped families from over 40 different countries with locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Georgia.
Instructional Activity: From Here Venn Diagram and Discussion Lesson
Preview:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Instructional Plan:
- Split the class into groups of 5.
- Handout the Venn Diagram worksheet to every student.
- Instruct the class to title the worksheet From Home Compare and Contrast. The circle on the left should be titled American Childhood and the circle on the right Jordanian Childhood.
- Point to the Venn Diagram and explain that each category should be filled with different experiences of their own childhood as Americans, or their own nationality if it differs, and Luma's experiences as a Jordanian. There should also be room for similarities. The experiences should be supported with quotations form the text. (at least 1 per category that applies)
- Each group will work on this and should be prepared to share with the class. At least few experiences and quotes that they found.
- Every group will share out what they found and reflect on the unique cultural differences between them and Arab people.
- At the end of the class ask the students, in a large group, how this has helped them understand and build empathy for immigrants and refugees that come to America.
Bibliography
Admin, Fugees. “Advocating Educational Justice for Refugee Youth.” Fugees Family, fugeesfamily.org/who-we-are/.
“Luma MUFLEH Archives.” Manhattan Institute, manhattan.institute/person/luma-mufleh.
Luma Mufleh, www.lumamufleh.com/.
“Luma Mufleh.” LUMA MUFLEH, www.lumamufleh.org/.
