Satjadham presents the next installment in our series "Different Perspective of Life."   

			My Perspective of Life:
			  By Genevieve On Siri

I used to feel so alone.  I used to wonder:  am I the only one who dreams of returning to my homeland; who seeks to learn more of the Lao language; who questions what kind of civilization whence I came;  who feels helplessly angered when something violent or bitter is brought upon one Lao person;  or who feels so lost and without a community?  I used to think that I was the Only Lao who wanted to intervene in the social issues affecting Lao people.  I used to think I'd be the only Lao who would face a Harvard professor when he publicly insulted our people by calling us a people "...who only sang songs, made love and smoked opium all day".  Today, I know I am not alone in seeking answers to my questions, wanting to help alleviate the problems facing the Lao community, or in fighting against the injustices that oppress our progress.  

As a socially-conscious and -obligated Lao American, my perspective of life deals with these very issues and like it or not, I cannot help but view the world through this prism.  For me, there is no other way to view the world than as a Lao who wants to see the progress of the Lao.  My experiences and blessings dictate that I try to help other Lao in America survive in this society, overcome their problems, and understand the system in which we find ourselves as displaced immigrants (or New Americans, as the new term goes).

While my background does not afford me the luxury to be engaged in social causes that do not amount to financial gain, at the same time, this humble background does not allow me to turn my back on pressing social justice problems that face our community today.  When 60% of Lao Americans live below the poverty level in some states, and our sisters and brothers deal every day with realities of cultural and language barriers, racial discrimination, domestic violence, crime and youth delinquency, internal jealousies and fratricide, inadequate health care, addictions to a variety of opiates, and mental health problems, I cannot have a perspective of life free of these considerations.  My parents raised me to make my mark in the world, and for me, the best thing I can do to help my family and others like us is to use my resources to bring attention to and alleviate some of these real problems afflicting our community.

When I hear of our young Lao brothers and sisters who live a delinquent lifestyle or are caught in the jaws of the criminal justice system, I am so saddened and angry.  I am sad because I know that a Lao family is grieving or worries for their brother, sister, or child lost to this kind of life.  I am angry because we do not admit to or possess the resources to prevent our littlest of brothers and sisters from joining these systems.  I care because in the U.S. there are only some 200,000 of us scattered in ethnic enclaves.  

Our small numbers in the U.S. and in the world remind me the importance of paying attention to these problems and the possible remedies held within the grasp of society's institutions and equally important, within ourselves as a Lao individual and as a  community.  While in the U.S. we are a relatively young immigrant community, each Lao life lost to violence, substance abuse, or apathy cannot be the marker that passes our time in this country.  We have too much at stake as the only inheritors of a great civilization and legacy.  While my perspective compels me to care, take action and make a commitment, so too must my brothers and sisters consider the perspective that encourages you to contribute in some way to the socio-economic, political and spiritual progress of our people.  As we soon approach a new century, our interconnected lives to each other and to our past warrants us to ask serious questions about our identities and where we want to go as a community and as a people.  But we must try to consider and struggle as a people united and not do so alone.

Any comments are welcomed, please post them here on SCL or email to
Laolit@users.lao.net

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Genevieve K. Siri
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University
617/493-8954

****Peace****