“The Lao culture I like to share with my friends are our food and our household values. ”
“I haven’t had one friend who hasn’t liked our Lao beef jerky…”
“…and sticky rice!
Let’s be real!”
In the spirit of the Lao New Year I have been thinking about why I am proud to be Lao
. I love Lao culture because it embodies struggle, tough love, and mindfulness. Struggle, because our Laotian elders have made, and are still making, sacrifices everyday to give our youth an opportunity to obtain a secure future.
This has spilled into the everyday lives of first generation Laotian-Americans to become a doctor...I’m just slightly kidding. At times, these challenges for young Laotian-Americans to be successful can be difficult, but these challenges come from love.
“Our parents just want us to have a stable future and not worry about our next meal like they had in their past. And yes, we may have been guilty of forgetting to soak the rice in water at times, but at the end of the day, our parents will still make us our favorite Laotian dish when we decide to visit home. They will still nurture us, even if it’s the last thing they do.”
“I always hold our household values and respectable ways. I take off my shoes before entering someone’s home. I mean, why would I bring my dirty shoes onto someone’s living room carpet?
I like to showcase to my friends our form of saying “hello” to our elders. We bow.
I find that many people think that practice is unique and cool.”
- Andrew Obmalay, he/him, 29, IL
