All posts filed under: United States

Deportation and Lao America: It’s Time to Wake Up

For a number of years now, our Southeast Asian neighbors, as well as some of our own people, including ethnic groups residing in Laos, have been battling deportation. We have, as a group, largely ignored this. We seem to think that if we keep our heads down, it won’t and can’t happen to us. But it already has and, it will hit us hard very soon. None of these are good enough excuses for how uninvolved we’ve been. If your personal reasons for staying out of the fray are any of the below, please read further to find out why it’s no longer good enough to stay silent. 1) I consider myself American/Lao American and that’s not my problem. Most of the deported also viewed themselves as such. Still, because of at least one mistake, they, and their entire family will pay for this pretty heavily. Have you forgotten why most of us came here and how we arrived? Regardless, one mistake shouldn’t dictate where we feel at home. The tenure of a person’s time …

Hey Kid…

It may feel as if you are going through the darkest of times; but trust me, things will get better. You’re lying there: cold, alone in some damp and dingy hostel in the middle of nowhere, on your way to God knows where, with the weight of your entire existence hanging in the balance… I wish I can tell you what I know now. You’re an idiot for the choices you made. There is no excuse. However; you’re only 17, so on the plus side, it’s better to get it out of your system now and learn and grow wise from your mistakes. And you will, little by little. The year ahead of you will fly by like the breeze you feel standing over the Mekong. You’ll end up in places you never expected. Some of the old dreams you’ve guarded for so long will fall short of your expectations. Don’t fret. Newer, fresher dreams will evolve to take their place. Your new life begins after this night with the sunrise. You’ll hop on a …