UCLA International Institute

The existing literature on Muslims in post-9/11 America largely focuses on cities where Muslims are organized and visible in large numbers. This interview-based qualitative study instead focuses on Bangladeshi Muslims in Mississippi. Using intersectionality and impressionmanagement as analytical tools, I explore how these individuals negotiate their identities to navigate interactions with Mississippi’s predominantly white Christian society. I identify three patterns of impression management: distancing religious identity, highlighting ethnicity, and confronting stereotypes. These patterns provide insight into the conceptual tools used as well as the overarching racial dynamics in America.