Journal #5: "Laotian Daughters" and "Monkey Dance"

In the clips of “Monkey Dance” that we watched we were able to observe the forms of silent resistance. One of the teens featured in the film named Sochenda is shown doing things in his work the “easy way” when his boss tells him that he has to restock the shelf in a different manner. Instead, Sochenda rearranges the shelves themselves rather than restocking the actual products in a different manner. Though, seemingly insignificant, this very slight form of resistance is Sochenda’s way of trying to make his work his own, maintaining his individuality, whilst working under the authority of his bosses. The part that struck a chord with me the most in this film was watching the parents being interviewed and seeing that they took on jobs that not many would want for the sake of the well being of their children. My mom did that as well when we first moved to America. She took on any job that would allow any source of income for the both of us and watching this film reminded me of those times and it reminds you be grateful and humble for the sacrifices that your parents have made for you.

In the reading, “Laotian Daughters” we follow the campaign attempting to the improve the

quality of safety for non-english speaking members of the Laotian community, by incorporating a

multilingual emergency broadcast system. This reading points out an issue that I, as an immigrant,

never really realized. When immigrants move from their home country, to another, they often end up

in proximity to one another. I never realized that sometimes these cultures may be so engulfed in the

small enclave that they’ve developed in the new country their inhabiting that sometimes form of

communication may not be as effective or is disregarded as unimportant. Until a major crises erupts

and the damage has already been done, then forms of communicating to these enclaves becomes and

issue that officials look at. It was brave of these girls in the reading to do what they did and even

great for the organization to encourage them to take part in their community rather than allowing to

fall into the stereotype that was being cast upon them.