A reflection on the documented interview of the Loo family
To meet the Loo family and the way they live has given me a new outlook on they’re cultures and the communities they live in. During the interview there was various moments that I wanted to show and tell. Which made it difficult when it came time to narrow it down to a few predominant moments. One of which happens while Daisy Loo explained why she wanted to move her family to the United States. Looking at the way her family strived to be connected shows the way the community brought the families closer.
To show this during my presentation I thought it was important to capture her emotions. You can feel for they’re connection to the Karen culture. With not having much to begin with it is essential for them to strengthen these relationships. It not only makes you appreciate those smaller moments in life, but how true friends and family are. The daughter, Day Lia Loo, kept taking about the hills of Burma that she grew up in, and the big trees that thrive in them. Meanwhile Daisy talked about cold winter is in Wisconsin. I could see the longing they held for they’re former country.
To further this documentation I began to think about segregation and how it held a great impact on they’re lives. Showing the scenes where the Loos were degraded both in they’re home country may not be pleasant but is real. After being forced to leave Burma they were stationed in a refugee camp in Thailand. With help from a Christian missionary group they then moved to Racine, Wisconsin. One year later they moved to Milwaukee to become closer to Karen people. Treating this portion as a documentation made it easy for the viewer to understand such struggles they faced. A year later they moved to Milwaukee and the father Tao Loo experienced the harshness of they’re new community. After being beaten and forced to give up the family car at gunpoint only two blocks from his house, Tao lost his job and is still unemployed. Though you may not understand Tao when he is talking, hearing his language and seeing his expressions carries the moment.
Despite what terrible things can happen to a family, it’s compelling to see them remain positive. Segregation happens throughout this neighborhood. Situations like Tao have only further divided the cultures. I learned how economic and educational differences does really affect a community and divide a city. It is a tension that Milwaukee has faced for some time. At times like this it seems external and internal sources can help educate and strengthen the youth in that community, in hopes for a brighter future.