Guest blogger, Questy

I’m one of the lucky ones
Yes, I actually CAN talk about something OTHER than fandom once in a while =P (and sound intelligent while doing so? Maybe? XD)

New York Times article: Old U.S. allies, still hiding in Laos

I understand perfectly that a PROFESSIONAL article is meant to be objective and that the greatest journalist will present an article told from various points of view, providing FACTS and not OPINION. Objectively, this is a really good article. Each side is represented, even if some were only briefly. The content of the article elicits sympathy but doesn’t necessarily ASK for it. It could also elicit disbelief or skepticism in some. A good article will make people THINK.

But I can’t be objective about this stuff. This is MY people’s history. I was born in the mountains of Laos. Yes, I entered America as a refugee, but that doesn’t make me any LESS American. I even joke now that I’m probably more American than Hmong b/c, good god, don’t ask me to speak Hmong XD I’ll just embarrass myself (and have >_>).

Er. Anyway. I guess with all the bad press Hmong people have been getting lately in the news (at least in my area), it just pisses me off to see people question the honesty of those soldiers still hiding in Laos. Yes, I UNDERSTAND the integrity of objectivity, but in some cases, I actively ignore it. My father fought in the ’secret war’ and died in Laos. I will slap anyone who tries to tell me there was no ’secret war’. There are just some things I don’t tolerate and mostly it’s ignorance.

I guess it’s a good thing an article like this appeared in the NYtimes but… I’m not sure how much good it will do. As much of an optimist that I am, I’m also a realist… and wasn’t I just saying a while ago that my faith in mankind gets discouraged quite often? Bah. What more is there to say, really?

Questy :: Dec.20.2007 :: Days of my life, Guest Bloggers :: 1 Comment »