Dr. Davorn Sisavath, assistant professor of anthropology will discuss "Making Life in the Aftermath of War in Lao PDR."

After the end of the U.S. wars in Southeast Asia, Laos faded from historical and contemporary interest. There remain 80 million unexploded bombs in the soil from more than 270 million bombs dropped in Laos over a period of nine years (1964 ‐1973). People have taken creative, critical, and sometimes deadly measures to extricate themselves from the large quantities of war metal saturated throughout the country. Some have recycled, melted, and transformed war metals into commodities for consumption, while others have collected and displayed empty bomb casings in their homes and businesses as a record of U.S. air war in Laos. Bringing together the relationship between war and environment, this talk examines how cluster bomb metals are circulated and consumed that shape life-making practices in the war’s aftermath. Lunch is provided.

Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Library 2206

Sponsored by Asian Pacific Islander Programs and Cross Cultural and Gender Center

For accommodations, please contact the Cross Cultural and Gender Center at 559.278.4435 or email ccgcapi@mail.fresnostate.edu.