Growing up as a Lao American

Dr. Palina Louangketh is a former Lao refugee from Pakse, Laos who moved with family to Boise-Idaho, during the Vietnam war-era bombing in Laos. Since childhood she had a tough time fitting in with the locals in Idaho. Since she looked different, she was often subject to racist comments which really shook her to the core and made her question her own 'identity'.
Today, as the Founder and Executive Director of the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID), she is passionate about preserving and honoring the human journey stories on a global scale through art, music, literature, video, photography, and food. Her family’s refugee journey inspired her vision – the IMID – to explore an innovative approach that will foster a community of relationships connected by cultures. #mystory #thisismystory #laoamerican #laorefugee #pakselao #bose #idaho #vietnamwar #racism #idahomusuem #diaspora