The individual under consideration for this voice project is name Kevin H., a fictional character who embodies the voice of a Caucasian male, 20 years of age, and who has recently converted to Islam. Mr. H is currently in his sophomore year of college and resides in one of the dormitories of a typical university in the southeastern United States.
Kevin, like many young, white men in the U.S. is the product of a Christian household with parents from a middle class background. His upbringing would be considered to be within a positive, loving environment by parents who strongly encouraged him to deepen his religious life within Christianity as well as pursue his education. Mr. H’s performance in high school is marked by above average performance, but due to a history of partying and teenage rebelliousness, his grades from this time do not reflect his true potential. He develops a large circle of friends during his high school years, from within as well as outside of his religious community. His religious beliefs are rather superficial during his high school years.
Mr. H’s college career begins with his enrollment at a university located several hours drive from his home. He enters as an undeclared student and is placed in a liberal arts curriculum. His freshman year is marked by rush parties, although he never formally joins a fraternity, off-campus parties, athletics events, and other festivities. His academic performance is below average at times in his more difficult courses and average in the remainder. During this time he completely stops pursuing his religious development.
As Kevin approaches the end of his freshman year, he begins to feel deeply dissatisfied with his bohemian lifestyle, and he no longer derives comfort from the Christian faith of his upbringing. He visits home less often, although he still maintains ties with his parents, and starts to withdraw socially from extracurricular activity. He enrolls in summer school as a way of avoiding his high school friends and possibly improving his GPA.
My initial impression of Kevin as a student is one of guarded skepticism and concern. My skepticism arises, not from any bias against Islam, but from Kevin’s fast decision to convert to a new religious paradigm in order to alleviate his dissatisfaction with his previous lifestyle choices. This decision, in my opinion, has the potential to cause Kevin to become disillusioned and further dissatisfied if his new religious life proves to fall short of his initial expectations. I am also concerned with how his decision impacts his relationships with family and friends. Prior to his desire to pursue conversion, Kevin had become more socially isolated. If his decision to convert to Islam meets resistance from his Christian parents or close friends from home, Kevin may feel even more isolated.
Kevin, like many young, white men in the U.S. is the product of a Christian household with parents from a middle class background. His upbringing would be considered to be within a positive, loving environment by parents who strongly encouraged him to deepen his religious life within Christianity as well as pursue his education. Mr. H’s performance in high school is marked by above average performance, but due to a history of partying and teenage rebelliousness, his grades from this time do not reflect his true potential. He develops a large circle of friends during his high school years, from within as well as outside of his religious community. His religious beliefs are rather superficial during his high school years.
Mr. H’s college career begins with his enrollment at a university located several hours drive from his home. He enters as an undeclared student and is placed in a liberal arts curriculum. His freshman year is marked by rush parties, although he never formally joins a fraternity, off-campus parties, athletics events, and other festivities. His academic performance is below average at times in his more difficult courses and average in the remainder. During this time he completely stops pursuing his religious development.
As Kevin approaches the end of his freshman year, he begins to feel deeply dissatisfied with his bohemian lifestyle, and he no longer derives comfort from the Christian faith of his upbringing. He visits home less often, although he still maintains ties with his parents, and starts to withdraw socially from extracurricular activity. He enrolls in summer school as a way of avoiding his high school friends and possibly improving his GPA.
During the first few weeks of the summer session Kevin encounters a small group of Muslim students discussing Islam in the student union. He listens very carefully, then approaches the group and asks to join the conversation. The students welcome his curiosity and after several occasions of discussion encourage Kevin to visit a Muslim Student Association meeting to observe Friday prayers. Kevin’s first experience with Islam is quite profound, and he later describes this experience as “coming home.” By the end of the summer Kevin has decided to undergo conversion to become a Muslim, a decision he feels will help him to develop his full potential, both spiritually and intellectually. As the summer ends and his sophomore year begins, Kevin still desires to convert, even though he has yet to inform his parents of this decision.
Initial ImpressionsMy initial impression of Kevin as a student is one of guarded skepticism and concern. My skepticism arises, not from any bias against Islam, but from Kevin’s fast decision to convert to a new religious paradigm in order to alleviate his dissatisfaction with his previous lifestyle choices. This decision, in my opinion, has the potential to cause Kevin to become disillusioned and further dissatisfied if his new religious life proves to fall short of his initial expectations. I am also concerned with how his decision impacts his relationships with family and friends. Prior to his desire to pursue conversion, Kevin had become more socially isolated. If his decision to convert to Islam meets resistance from his Christian parents or close friends from home, Kevin may feel even more isolated.
