xp_logs | Sooraya and Frank: People can change

Frank works with Sooraya at X-Corps and she tries to explain that yes, people can change.

"Come on in, Frank." Sooraya called out as she surveyed the section of the wall where she'd pinned up all kinds of papers to get an overview of the various things she was dealing with Malala's Rose. This was when all the various puzzle pieces had to come starting together.

It was a scary thought.

"Why don't you put that box down over there and come take a look at this?"

Frank dropped the box on the table with a certain flourish, and wandered over to Sooraya. "Sure. What's this about?" He was mainly here to lift heavy things, he reasoned, but he was happy to lend his opinion where it was needed.

"I am trying to get a create a board where I can get a basic overview of how things are standing with the development of the project. Staff hiring, renovations and the latest updates on the situation in Afghanistan on matters of security. I was wondering if it also makes sense for other people." Sooraya explained as she pointed out the three main sections. "Oh yes, and there we have various other bits and pieces that might be important."

"Oooh. Okay." Frank pushed his glasses up his nose and squinted a little. "So... security. Are we hiring locals or bringing over professionals from over here? And are they going to be mutants? Because if you've got that many scared mutants in a confined space, you're going to want someone with powers to keep an eye on things, right?"

"We are still working that out actually, though we will probably end up with a mix of everything. While the location has been fairly quiet, Afghanistan remain a pressure cooker situation. Look over here." Sooraya moved over to where blueprints of the renovations were pinned up. We are trying to take things in account in the renovations as well. Walls keep things out, but also give the women the necessary privacy and can help to satisfy local customs."

"huh." Frank considered that as he scanned the board. "Okay. I'm guessing that would be why we have the segregated sleeping quarters for security too, then? Because if you've got Americans and locals in the same space, that could cause friction."

"It would be one thing, but mostly the idea is to keep the sexes separate. Morality and customs are very different there." Sooraya explained. "It's not common in the west, the strict separation of the sexes. But if we want to work with the women and girls, having lots of men around would not be helpful."

"Yeah... Yeah. I can see that. Girls can be distracting." There was a wonderful moment as he realized what he'd said, who he'd said it to, and in what context. "Uh- I mean- Oh God. I'm going to shut up now."

Sooraya stifled her laugh, but her eyes still twinkled as she replied: "Don't worry about it, Frank. I lived with Angel during high school. I know how it goes."

"Angel with the ferrets? Wow. That must have been fun." Frank smirked at the image, before glancing back at the board. "I... doubt that'll be a problem here, though. I'm guessing Afghan girls aren't so prone to flirt?" He grinned, to show he was joking.

"Yes, Angel with the ferrets. Let's just say boys could be very distracting. Though Afghan girls generally don't flirt." Sooraya stepped over to one of the bookshelves and pulled out two basic guides. "Here. This should help. One basic introduction to Afghanistan and its history and culture and one to Islam. If you want to help out with the project, it will do you good to have some basic understanding of the cultural background. Some things you might think very normal, are not over there."

"Well, I know a little," said Frank, flicking through one of the guides idly. "My dad was a foreign correspondent for a while. He picked up some stuff. Still," he added hastily, "this should help. I mean, I get that it's not like here and London." He glanced down at a page at random, and blanched. "Hey, what's this about gay people?"

"Did he work anywhere else then..." Sooraya turned around, seeing he had been paging through the basic guide she had given him about the Islam. "What does it say?" She asked him calmly.

For a moment, Frank didn't respond, too busy reading the section. Then he looked up. His tone and manner were controlled, but there was an undercurrent of anger there. "Talked about the people of Lut," said Frank. "And gays getting the shit kicked out of them. Isn't that what they do to us?" He paused. "Jesus. No matter where you go, people can be idiots, can't they?"

"Why don't you sit down?" Sooraya gestured at the chair at her desk and sighed, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before taking her own seat. She took a seat to the same side of the desk as Frank. "The book is right though. Islam in general is not very accepting of homosexuality. Though I do want you to remember that does not mean everyone."

Frank didn't sit himself. Instead, he started to pace. "I know," he said, tightly. "I do. I get that Islam is made up of millions of Muslims, and you can't make a generalization about that many people. I get that. But this?" he held up the book again. "This is the kind of bullshit that gets people killed. People like us, Sooraya. I mean, fuck." He stopped, still furious, but visibly trying to rein himself in. "Sorry," he said eventually. "I'll try not to curse so much."

"I see where you are coming from, Frank. And it's a fact in many countries with a Muslim majority they face persecution. But you also have to realize if you have been told your whole life something is wrong, it isn't easy to change your minds. Especially if it is something Allah has told you. Because the bit of about the people of Lut is in the Koran."

"I really, genuinely, couldn't care less. Christ. These are people, Sooraya. People. Not aberrations of the natural order. And what, who you fall in love with makes you inherently evil? You can't tell me that's right." He turned away. Growled. "You can't. I get that it's a different culture. But some things don't change."

He took a long breath, and let it out through clenched teeth. "You know that, don't you?"

And of course... she should have known this topic would come up once he had found the pages in the book. She considered her words carefully for a moment. "Do you want to know where I stand on the topic personally?" She clarified. "Or do you want to hear more about why I think it's not as easy to change things? Because those are two very different things."

Frank stared at her. "Well, I was going to say the second one, but now I want to know what you think," he said slowly, eyes glinting. "What's your take on this?"

Sooraya surveyed the young man in front of her for a few moments. "I am very much against any form of prosecution, but I cannot say I fully accept it, Frank. It was wrong for me for a long time and I never had much cause to investigate my idea's on that area any further."

There was a long pause. "You work here," he said slowly. "You help people. You look out for those who need looking out for. And you say that? Jesus Christ, Sooraya. I..." he sat down- notably further away from her then was perhaps comfortable. "How do you- is that still what you believe?"

"That is a complicated question, Frank. But no, I don't quite believe it is wrong anymore. I learned there are other possible interpretations of what my faith told me. But sometimes it stills feels wrong. And I think that is going to take a while to truly change, to truly sink in. Sometimes I still worry..."

The silence sat for a moment. "Worry about what?" he prodded. The anger was still there, but reined in. Just. "I get... I get that it can be hard to let stuff go. But we have to, don't we? I mean, us more than anyone."

How much to explain? She was not usually this open about such personal topics with people she was not that close with. But maybe he could learn something from her? "Let me ask you something, Frank. I am willing to explain if you really listen. Angelo told me you hope for a career in journalism. You will encounter people who struggle with similar difficult topics. And you'll have to approach them with an open mind. Can you do that here?"

Frank growled. "Yes. I can. But those people should keep something in mind. The folks on the other end of those difficult issues? The one's they're struggling with? They didn't choose anything. They didn't sit up and say "hey, you know what, I feel like being different and creepy today!" It's what they are. So while people can struggle all they want, they are screwing with people's lives because of what people are." He stopped. Pulled in a breath. "You see how maybe that could make people angry?"

"Of course I do. I have been judged for the fact I am a mutant. Or for the fact that I am Muslim and chose to cover." Sooraya explained calmly, gesturing to the scarf covering her head. "

But let me ask you something. What do you think makes the more moral choice when you are trying to learn more about an deep issue you have strong feelings about? The one who blows with the wind and chooses the socially accepted opinion, in this case acceptance, without truly examining the arguments and his feelings behind it. Which carries the risk of him changing his mind when the wind blows another way? Or the one where someone with such a opinion truly examines the arguments, the feelings behind it, everything needed. So he can stand deeply rooted in his new ground."

Frank growled again, and darted away from the table, pacing back and forth. The frustration boiled off him like steam. After a moment he started to slow, then finally stopped. He looked at her, not so much calm as restrained. "...I'm going to have a cigarette. Please don't tell anyone." He didn't wait for her response- instead making his way over to the window and lighting up. There was a pause as he collected himself.

"You're one of the good guys," he managed, eventually. "I get that. I mean, you work here, Angelo says you're cool... this whole project is a genuinely good thing. So you see why it confuses me that you're... saying... this? I'm not saying you're wrong. Just-" he waved his arms incoherently. "...hard," he finished.

"What is it exactly I am saying that is confusing you?" She could guess a few options, but she didn't want to fill things in for him, so she fell silent and just waited for him to reply.

"Because you're cool, and cool people shouldn't think god-awful things!" He was slightly embarrassed by how close to a wail that last comment had been. He paused, coughed, and tried again. "I've got no beef with your faith- that's your call, one way or another. And I get that this isn't what you think any more. But... you did. And that complicates everything."

"How does it complicate things for you?" Sooraya's eyes flashed for a moment. "Is it that when you have been black you can never be white again?"

"That's not what I meant," Frank muttered, not making eye-contact. "But you're the first person I've met who's ever actually changed their minds over something like this."

"I am not the only one, Frank. Not by far." Sooraya's voice softened, before taking a more forceful tone again. "But again, I ask you... how does it make things complicated because I held a certain opinion in the past? Am still developing a new opinion even now. Because you will find many people have done something similar."

Frank didn't say anything. Didn't move. The cigarette in his fingers started to burn down.

"I don't know. It just..." eventually he looks back at her. "People don't change their minds. Not often, anyway, and not about important stuff. That's what I've always thought. It's how people have always been around me. And you... did." He shrugged.

"People do and can change, Frank. But you do need to give them the time and chance to do so. When I was confronted with what I felt so darkly about, he didn't react with anger..." Sooraya stood up from and walked over to where Frank was standing. "Instead... Angelo gave me the time and chance to look at things and to find my own path in what I believe and feel. I am still not completely sure where I stand, but I do know one thing... It's not the same where it was before."

"Well yeah, but not everyone's gonna make the same call you did." Frank sighed. He turned around and looked at her again. "I mean, how many people actually will change their minds?"

There was a slight pause. Then "Wait. Angelo's gay?"

Sooraya winced a little: "Maybe I should not have mentioned that... But no, he is not exactly gay from what I understand, though he is dating a man."

"Huh." Frank raised his eyebrows and considered. "...You know, I really didn't see that coming. But it doesn't matter. I-" he stopped. Considered. "...I think maybe this isn't a conversation either of us can do much with. Not now, at least. Is there anything else you need me for?"

"No, I don't have any particular I need you for now. But Frank... think on what I said." Sooraya made sure to meet his eyes. "If you want to be able to change people's mind, you do need to step towards them with an open heart yourself."