1st Lao American writer included at Poetry Foundation website

 

Lao American writer Bryan Thao Worra became the very first Lao American poet to be featured on the Poetry Foundation website. Established in 2003 by a major gift from philanthropist Ruth Lilly, the Poetry Foundation evolved from the Modern Poetry Association, which was founded in 1941 to publish Poetry magazine, now in its 73rd year.

Over 3,261 American poets are currently featured at the Poetry Foundation, including many Asian American poets, but Bryan Thao Worra sets precedent for the community as a Lao American writer.

On his blog at On the Other Side of the Eye, he wrote,  "I hope my fellow Lao Americans see this not just as a personal victory, but a community victory, and that we recognize the value of our words and the things we can change from sharing our voices. That comes with responsibilities, but also infinite potential worth fighting for."