OUTSIDER INSIDE

About the Blog

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The title of my blog refers to my cultural identity as an "outsider" functioning inside the Hmong culture specifically, as well as in general on my journey. In my travels around SE Asia, I found myself in the role of perpetual foreigner, a role that many non-White people in the U.S. face on a daily basis. I found myself often frustrated with being seen as just White, a word that not only fails to describe the color of my skin it also negates the rich blend of cultures that is my own ethnic heritage. Although I cannot fully comprehend what it's like to be treated as a foreigner in one's own country, I did get a glimpse of it. I think we all experience being an outsider and the loneliness of marginalization at different points in our lives and to varying degrees. This is part of our shared human experience. In this blog, I am constantly aware of my status as I share my personal thoughts and perspectives on the places I've traveled and people I've met, for whatever it's worth. I look at these collective experiences as opportunities to continue to learn and grow and I hope you may find something of value in them too!