Alcorn’s international and multicultural students host Legacies of War, discuss bombings of Laos

Alcorn’s international and multicultural students host Legacies of War, discuss bombings of Laos

Alcorn’s international and multicultural students host Legacies of War, discuss bombings of Laos

On October 23, 2013, the International and Multicultural Student Organization (IMSO) at Alcorn State University, in partnership with Legacies of War, presented a workshop “Laos: Land of a Million Bombs”.

Alcorn students, faculty, and staff packed the Global Programs building to listen to the presentation and explore the bombings of Laos and their impact on the country. According to The Guardian, 260 million cluster bomblets rained down on Laos between 1964 and 1973, and many of them, still unexploded, pose a threat to Laotians.

IMSO president, Tony Innouvong, MBA student from Seattle, Washington, facilitated the workshop and engaged the participants in a thought provoking discussion discovering a hidden part of history. During the workshop, participants were taken through a simulation where they had to navigate blindfolded through a field of replicated bomblets.

“Blindfolds conveyed the lack of transparency of bombs in Laos and how dangerous they are because one cannot see them,” said Innouvong. “To assist with navigation, a guide was assigned to those blindfolded. The guide acted as the ‘helping link’ representing the knowledge and voice as powerful tools needed to help those affected by the bombings.”

By the end of the workshop many were inspired to bring change and assist Legacies of War in spreading awareness on the bombings in Laos and provide space for healing the wounds of war.

“Alcorn State University community members are an advocate for the cause,” added Innouvong.

To learn more about Legacies of War, please visit www.legaciesofwar.org .

The next workshop on “Islam and Misrepresentation of Muslims in the West” led by Fulbright Arabic Instructor Oussama Laifi, will take place at 2:20 p.m. November 6, in the Global Programs Building.

For more information about IMSO and its involvement, attend a meeting held every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the Office of Global Programs, or contact Innouvong at [email protected] . 

Pictured: Workshop participats perform the excersice blinfolded.