The Silence is Quiet/Loud and Un/Clear: Deriving Meaning from Intentional Silence

Rattana Bounsouaysana

This paper and interview explores the testimonial of a Lao refugee who was displaced from his home country of Laos due to political unrest and the affects of war. It examines themes around memory, silence, hidden meanings, and shared authority. It further questions how meaning and what meanings can be derived from absence or intentional silences. By focusing on embodiment, context, and informed knowledge, it asks the audience to look beyond in order to interpret meaning and fill in the silence.

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Rattana’s focus revolves around her Lao-American identity and culture and explores ways to give agency to the Lao diaspora and educating the public at large. She believes there should be more representation of the community so others can understand such things as the immigrant and refugee experience to Lao food culture and music. Her interest also lies in cultural studies and the arts. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city, going to art exhibitions, live music events, finding new foods, and is always looking for her next travel destination. Rattana has her Master of Arts in Oral History at Columbia University, her certification from the TESOL Certificate Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin.