Xaysangkhom Lo Vongsaravane
Xaysangkhom Lo Vongsaravane, Little Rock, AR, Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing / BA Business Administration in Public Relations, Finance Assistant for Non-profit Organization
Xaysangkhom Lo Vongsaravane, Little Rock, AR, Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing / BA Business Administration in Public Relations, Finance Assistant for Non-profit Organization
Well, this is very sensitive topic, I think especially among Asians. I will give you my thoughts on it so some may take it with a grain of salt, but others may relate strongly. Most Asian families I know are not accepting of interracial dating, especially one that will lead to marriage. I am not sure why this is, growing up in the US since I was three so I may not have some of the assumptions that some have of other races.
Most of the Asian countries I visited are very homogenous, so this may cause a skewed view of other races. When I use to visit my grandfather before he passed, he always advised me to marry an Asian girl. I would tease him and tell him I didn’t like Asian girls. I prefer other races and he would say in a disappointing tone that you’re not allowed to visit me if you bring a non-Asian girl home. I would laugh and say how about if she was rich or a doctor what would you say? Grandpa looked at me and paused, and reluctantly said that it would be good for me. Then we would both laugh. It told me race was not really an issue in my family, I think they just want to ensure my happiness and what would be in my best interest. I came to realize that some of the Asian families that are agianst interracial are not racist, but just want what is best for their son or daughter so marrying someone with a similar background would be ideal. I remember an interesting conversation I had with a family member regarding interracial marriages. I asked why she would not support the marrying of different races. She stated that you need to look beyond just husband and wife. You must think about the two families and how will they get along since our cultures are very different and sometimes this can be very hard to overcome for both sides. Family is very important and you don’t want to isolate yourselves. I am not sure about this, because I think you should marry the person that you feel is right for you and your family should advise you, but not dictate the person for you.
I admire my parents for being really opened minded and supported my sister in her marriage to husband from Puerto Rico.They were not very open to interracial marriages when I growing up, but they slowly open themselves to things throughout the years and understand where my sisters and I coming from in our views of many of the issues we use to butt heads about. I can’t understand some parents who would disown their son or daughter if they did not marry the person they approve, it seems to defy the defiinition of a parent yet it happens all around the world. In conclusion, every person should be able to make their own choice to find that person that they will be able to make a happy life with and sometimes that may not be a choice your family supports, but life is too short so live for yourself not others. Advice that I will truly apply to my own.
Friday, September 11th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The fact that Barack Obama is the President of the United States bears much significance. It means that you should dream big and work hard at your goal if you want to achieve the highest level of success, because the opportunities are now available in this country. It doesn’t matter if you are from a country in Africa or if you are from Laos, if you dare to be persistent and relentless in your pursuit of success, you will achieve it. The playing field is more leveled today than it was not too long ago. The United States is changing, and so is the world, and Obama, a Black man, being president is living proof of this. Obama also is a reminder that The United States is still a very young country of only several hundred years old. What this means is that the United States is more open to change as opposed to older countries, like England or France. By electing Obama as President, the United States has shown that it can flip the switch when things are going horribly wrong, and go in the direction of change. Obama symbolizes the new face of the United States as well as the world, and he embodies hope and change for everyone.
Dennis Sikhanthat, 34, Seattle, WA, Master of Social Work (MSW), Real Estate Agent
The fact that Barack Obama is the President of the United States bears much significance. It means that you should dream big and work hard at your goal if you want to achieve the highest level of success, because the opportunities are now available in this country. It doesn’t matter if you are from a country in Africa or if you are from Laos, if you dare to be persistent and relentless in your pursuit of success, you will achieve it. The playing field is more leveled today than it was not too long ago. The United States is changing, and so is the world, and Obama, a Black man, being president is living proof of this. Obama also is a reminder that The United States is still a very young country of only several hundred years old. What this means is that the United States is more open to change as opposed to older countries, like England or France. By electing Obama as President, the United States has shown that it can flip the switch when things are going horribly wrong, and go in the direction of change. Obama symbolizes the new face of the United States as well as the world, and he embodies hope and change for everyone.
Friday, September 11th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I was born on Jan. 15, 1973 in the city of Savannakhet, Laos. In 1980, I came to the United States with my mom, two brothers, and two sisters and live with relatives in Santa Ana (Orange County). In 1986 we moved to Fresno California and live there ever since. I graduated from Fresno States University with a bachelor degree in criminology. After graduation, I got hired as a Correctional Officer with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Dept. In 2003, I was promoted to Deputy Sheriff. I have been in Law Enforcement for over five years serving my Laotian community and the County of Fresno residents. Unfortunately in 2004, I was injured performing my duty as a deputy sheriff at the county jail. I have recently resigned due to this injury and I look forward to other career where I can still serve my people.
I am a buddhist and very proud to be one. At the age of 17, I became a novice monk for one month in the city of Long Beach. I learn about the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. My teacher was an American Buddhist monk name Ajahn Bendito. He have taught me so much about buddhism. I also became a Phra twice at the age of 22 for one month and at the age of 34 for one week in Laos. Buddhism has influence many people from all walk of life. Especially his holiness the Dalai Lama who I think has contributed to buddhism being spread to the Western World:the United States of America. I think that buddhism can really help the world with all these violence and current war. Buddhism teaches us not to do evil, to do good, and to purify the mind. If our world leader would exercise the discipline and apply what Lord Buddha preach, I truly feel that our world would be a better place to live. It is because of our ignorance, greed, anger and hatred that cause all these war
around the world. Buddhism is a religion of non-violence that emphasize love, compassion for fellow being, and respect for each other. Buddhism deals with human suffering and the cause of these suffering. It is because of our extreme desire, craving, and greed that
cause these massive suffering and chaos. For over 2550 years Lord Buddha message has always try to awake us about the truth of suffering. His first Noble Truth states: Life is fill with misery of old age, sickness, death and unhappiness. Even our happiness is suffering said the Buddha. Why is it suffering? Well, Lord Buddha said that our happiness is subject to change and anything that change human tend not to like it. It is
impermanent therefore, suffering. In this modern world, we need to recognized this suffering in order to be free from it. For example, if you are a drug addict you must first admit that you have a problem in order to find a solution. It is the same with Buddhism. We all know that life is suffering but not all of us realize or recognize it.
In addition, the modern world must realize that ignorance, anger, hate, and misuderstanding is the problem in this world. Therefore, Buddhism teaches the world to free ourselves of these defilement and learn to love and have compassion for all living being. The Dalai Lama once said, “if you cannot help others, at least do not harm them.” Buddhism has help shape my life and fill my heart with compassion for my fellow being. I truly feel it could benefit the world if we just practice what Lord Buddha has been preaching:Not to do Evil, To do Good, and to Purify the Mind. To this day, I continue my practice by teaching online at Laokingdom.com in my group called Kingdom of Nibbana. I also pray, chants, and practice meditation at home everyday. I invite all buddhists and all faiths to join
my group and encourage them all to practice this religion of non-violence and peace. May all being be free from hatred, anger, and misunderstanding. May all being be free from suffering.
Chantha Phrachanhsay
Chantha Phrachanhsay, 36, Fresno, CA, BA Criminology, Retired from Law Enforcement
I was born in the city of Savannakhet, Laos. In 1980, I came to the United States with my mom, two brothers, and two sisters to live with relatives in Santa Ana (Orange County). In 1986 we moved to Fresno California and lived here ever since. I graduated from Fresno States University with a bachelor degree in criminology. After graduation, I got hired as a Correctional Officer with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Dept. In 2003, I was promoted to Deputy Sheriff. I have been in Law Enforcement for over five years serving my Laotian community and the County of Fresno residents. Unfortunately in 2004, I was injured performing my duty as a deputy sheriff at the county jail. I recently resigned due to this injury and I look forward to other career where I can still serve my people.
I am a buddhist and very proud to be one. At the age of 17, I became a novice monk for one month in the city of Long Beach. I learn about the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. My teacher was an American Buddhist monk name Ajahn Bendito. He have taught me so much about buddhism. I also became a Phra twice at the age of 22 for one month and at the age of 34 for one week in Laos. Buddhism has influenced many people from all walks of life. Especially with the efforts of his holiness the Dalai Lama, who I think has contributed to buddhism being spread to the Western World. I think that Buddhism can really help the world with all the violence and the current war. Buddhism teaches us not to do evil, to do good, and to purify the mind. If our world leaders would exercise the discipline and apply what Lord Buddha preach, I truly feel that our world would be a better place to live. It is because of our ignorance, greed, anger and hatred that cause all these wars around the world. Buddhism is a religion of non-violence that emphasizes love, compassion for fellow being, and respect for each other. Buddhism deals with human suffering and the cause of these suffering. It is our extreme desire, craving, and greed that causes massive suffering and chaos. For over 2550 years Lord Buddha’s message has always tried to awaken us about the truth of suffering. His first Noble Truth states: Life is filled with misery of old age, sickness, death and unhappiness. Even our happiness is suffering said the Buddha. Why is it suffering? Well, Lord Buddha said that our happiness is subject to change and anything that change human tend not to like it. It is impermanent therefore, suffering. In this modern world, we need to recognized this suffering in order to be free from it. For example, if you are a drug addict you must first admit that you have a problem in order to find a solution. It is the same with Buddhism. We all know that life is suffering but not all of us realize or recognize it.
In addition, the modern world must realize that ignorance, anger, hate, and misuderstanding is the problem in this world. Therefore, Buddhism teaches the world to free ourselves of these defilement and learn to love and have compassion for all living being. The Dalai Lama once said, “if you cannot help others, at least do not harm them.” Buddhism has help shape my life and fill my heart with compassion for my fellow being. I truly feel it could benefit the world if we just practice what Lord Buddha has been preaching: Not to do Evil, To do Good, and to Purify the Mind. To this day, I continue my practice by teaching online at Laokingdom.com in my group called Kingdom of Nibbana. I also pray, chant, and practice meditation at home everyday. I invite all buddhists and all faiths to join my group and encourage them all to practice this religion of non-violence and peace. May all beings be free from hatred, anger, and misunderstanding. May all beings be free from suffering.
Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
