Lao Voices

This is in responses to “Stop the Laos plots already!” I believe Vong Pao has gone mad. I have confidence that the Lao government will be more willing to listen to its people, including the Hmongs, once the population becomes more educated and at peace. But what Vong Pao’s plan is doing is creating more harm than good. Had his plan gone  thru they may create a chain of events that can lead into more future violence and economic hardship.

The response from the Lao government in the past towards terr0rism was not very nice. And loads of money from Lao government will most likely be used in response to any terr0rism - there goes our school piggy bank. I want the Lao and the Hmong to live together in peace. We are only different in our culture and our lifestyles but on the inside we’re capable to living harmoniously together.  We need the Hmong, just as much as they need us. Our diversity is our strength.

The more we think about violence, the violence will grow even bigger. We should be putting our efforts into Laos’ communication infrastructure. Rebuilding our libraries and setting up new schools (especially preschools.) Imagine nearly $10 million Vong Pao gathered has gone down the drain. And all that would have been wasted anyway if he’d gotten his way. I understand that Vong Pao’s men only want revenge for the communist government. What he didn’t realize is that the government he use to know is now changing and evolving along with its people. But I believe what Mr. Pao [edit: fear] most of all is us (the lowland Lao.) The fact that lowland Lao always have the tendency to run the government is frustrating him. The highland Lao (which consist of many diversities) are not represented well.

If they ask for a seat, it will most likely be given because the country will more likely listen to reason as the country begins to accumulate more knowledge. My words for future Lao/Hmong youths who may be reading this is that many Laotians do not look negatively toward the Hmongs. We actually have more bond than any other race.  As you can see, the Hmong ventured into many areas in the southern China region, but choose Laos for a good reason. What appears to be a culture clash is taken to an extreme by Vong Pao. Vong Pao needs to let the younger generations break out of their community (speaking of the community in Fresno, Sacramento, or St. Paul) and begin to work and play with the Laotian community. They’ll see that they can get along. But many still haven’t tried. The key to getting along is to always look for the positive side of one another and make a list of them.

I should make a list of the Hmong’s positive side as an example:

1. They have a tendency to embrace peace over aggression.
2. They have a tendency to study well and grasp new technology easily.
3. They have a great loyalty for their leaders, even for leaders outside their ethnicity.
4. They are productive, honest and fair.
5. They make a great best friend.

Now, they might want to make a list for Laotians instead of the typical way they normally see us.