CD 1.00

Title: CD 1.00
Type: Interview
Date: February 21st, 2021
Description: In the interview, 25-year-old Albanian-Muslim woman Rreze Ibraimi Discusses her experience growing up in Janesville, Wisconsin. In this small Mid-Western town, Rreze was always viewed differently and reveals that she often felt the need to “white-wash” herself to fit in with her peers. While enjoying her summers in Albania, Rreze would often visit her friends My Space pages and miss her life back in America. Her Muslim identity proved not to be as oppressive as the expectations of her Albanian culture. An Albanian woman routinely marries, becomes a housewife, and has children at a young age. Breaking with tradition, Rreze has chosen not to marry at this time, and pursue a career in Dental Hygiene. Her main priority is to express her personal identity and establish financial independence. Due her largely secular lifestyle, Rreze illuminates the broad spectrum of Muslim identities in the United States. She shares her love of traditional Albanian clothing and recipes, thus revealing obvious love and respect for her culture. Alternatively, Rreze expresses gratitude for the independence and self-sufficiency that her American way of life has given her. She can enjoy Byrek (a traditional Albanian filo pie) as well as a good Cheeseburger. Rreze exemplifies the meaning of having both roots and wings.
Language: English
Subject: COVID-19, OralHistory