All posts filed under: Lao Diaspora

MIA Erasure, My Reflection

To much fanfare, the exhibit Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975 opened in Minnesota at the Minneapolis Institute of Art this month and will run until January 5th, 2020. It’s billed as a way to look at “the innovative ways artists talked back, often in the streets and other public venues. The exhibition presents nearly 100 works by 58 of the period’s most visionary, provocative artists.” For Southeast Asians of Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, and Cambodian descent, and active military veterans, you can even see the exhibit for free. It’s been a long time since I’ve been given free admission to an art exhibit to witness the complete erasure of my community’s perspective and reactions to the Vietnam War, the Secret War, and the Killing Fields. For Minnesotans, who arguably have one of the most deeply tangled relationships with Southeast Asia than almost any other US state, this ought to be a stirring and profound exhibit: one filled with so many heartbreaking memories and reflections on themes and issues addressed over four decades ago, …

Last Call: Lao 100 Submissions

It’s LAST CALL for the Lao 100 submissions! Last submissions must be sent to us by 09/30/2019 at 00:00 PST. Take a look at the details below and DON’T be modest. Know an amazing Laotian doing incredible things in your community? Why not nominate them for a little appreciation? Are you trailblazing in a field we aren’t even aware of–let us help celebrate how far we’ve all come and your contributions! What: Our very own, limited edition print magazine featuring the Lao 100!  When: Due out Spring 2020 in honor of Little Laos turning 20 years old! Details: We’re looking for people who represent and have contributed to lifting and impacting the development of the Lao diaspora community in significant ways: this includes activists, trailblazers, pioneers, social changemakers and especially those who are lesser known in the spotlight. We’re asking our readers to help us by nominating people (or yourself) who fit this description. Nominees must identify as having Lao heritage, agree to being interviewed and photographed for the publication, and can be from all …