Maddie Morris

JULY 1, 2011 |  WHERE THERE BE DRAGONS

          The other day Mr. Somsanid told us that in Laos all foreigners are called “white people” even if they are black. Naturally, being an African-American, I’d never been called a white person before. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked being called white because for a while now I have sought to define and distinguish myself as a black individual because, being a student at a predominantly white school, I felt a need to distinguish myself from all of the white people around me. But being here in Asia as a “white person” has allowed me to let go of what I felt was my obligation to be different in order to be black. Being here has taught me that there is a way to be a part of a different culture while still retaining my own. Often times I find that, at least for me, in my pursuit to be more in tune with my black culture I forget that I am more than black. Yes, I am an African-American, but I am a part of a race even greater than that, the human race, and being in Asia has reminded me of that. Having had this revelation only four days into the trip, I cannot wait to see what else I will discover about Laos, my new friends, and myself on this trip.

Sincerely,

          Alex McNab