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 …show more content…
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