Hmong Movement 04 Winter 2003

WINTER 2003 HHSSIICC QQUUAARRTTEERRLLYY PPUUBBLLIICCAATTIIOONN VOLUME I: ISSUE 4

Hmong Movement

Between Two WorldsBECOMING AMERICANS

EEddiittoorriiaall SSttaaffffEditor in Chief:Seng A. Vang, UC San DiegoAssistant Editor:Catherine Yang, UC RiversideHeadlines Editor: Mary Xiong, St Mary’s College Features Editor:Xia Lee, UC BerkeleyPerspectives Editor:Jennifer Her, UC Los AngelesAdvertisement Editor:Mala Vang, Cal Poly San Luis ObispoLayout & Cover Editor:True Xiong, UC San Diego

Writers/Contributors:Johnny Her (Photos)Xiongpao LeeBlia MouaSrida MouaNou VangSusie VangChing VueNenick VueJulie YangKou Yang, Ed. D

HHSSIICC OOffffiicceerrss 22000022-22000033

President Amorette Yang, UC [email protected] PresidentXiong Moua, UC [email protected] Vanessa Vang, UC [email protected] Lee, UC Los [email protected]

Hmong Movement is published quarterlyby the Hmong Students Inter-CollegiateCoalition. (c) Copyright 2003. All rightsreserved. No contents may be reproducedwithout expressed written permission fromthe Editor. Unsolicited material will not bereturned. Letters sent to HmongMovement become the property of thepublication. Every precaution will be takento ensure the accuracy of informationincluded at press time, neither thePublisher or Editor shall be liable for dam-ages arising out of errors or omissions.The opinions expressed herein are thoseof the authors and not necessarily those ofHmong Movement or HSIC.

From the EditorWWelcome to our first issue of 2003. This marks our one

year anniversary of Hmong Movement. Our premiere firstissue was launched one year ago and we are excited to con-tinue this forum to serve as a resource for HmongAmericans to communicate their unique experiences. Asyou will notice there are several changes in this issue. Firstis a restructuring of the Publication Committee, these arethe new editorial positions created to handle particular sec-tions or tasks of Hmong Movement such the HeadlinesEditor, Features Editor, Perspectives Editor, and Advertisement Editor. In addition,our Assistant Editor is continuing her second year and we welcome our newLayout Editor to the team. Lastly, I would like to thank all our contributors, theprevious Publication Committee members, and our previous Layout Editor, JulienMoua, for their dedication and service in making Hmong Movement a great suc-cess the past year.

In this issue you will find articles describing the many activities and projectsthat HSIC has accomplished the past few months including election of the newRegional Representatives to the HSIC Board of Directors, and various events at theHmong New Year in Fresno. In addition, our Features article in this issue dis-cusses the Hmong American experience and some of the dynamic changes occur-ring the past two and a half decades in the United States. It is a very informationalarticle. Many of our readers in the past has passionately requested for scholarlyHmong literature, therefore, we will try to provide interesting educational articlesto share in future issues from Hmong scholars. You will also find creativePerspectives articles showcasing the talents and creativity of the students.

The year 2002 was a historical year for the Hmong American community interms of civic participation. In January, Mee Moua, a Hmong American womanmade history by becoming the first former refugee from Southeast Asia electedto a state legislator by winning a seat in the Minnesota State Senate. In February,a congressional ceremony was held in Washington DC to celebrate the passage ofHouse Con. Resolution 88 or Lao-Hmong Recognition Day. July 22 marks theRecognition Day. In November, Mee Moua was reelected to the Minnesota StateSenate. In addition, Cy Thao was also elected to the Minnesota State Assembly.The same month in California, three Hmong Americans ran for seats on Boards ofEducation. Anthony K Vang was elected to the Board of Trustee of Fresno UnifiedSchool District. Dr Vang is currently an Associate Professor at California StateUniversity, Fresno and is the first elected Hmong official in Fresno. He is the sec-ond in California the other is Paul C. Lo, who serves on the Board of Trustee ofMerced School District. In a relatively short period of time, Hmong Americansthroughout the country are dynamically contributing and (re)shaping their com-munities.

Recently, I was asked to give some advice to high school students to pursuehigher education. I encourage youth to pursue higher education because it willgive you an opportunity to find who you are and to learn what you like to do, inthe end it is not really about monetary or material value. Would you really behappy working in a job that pays well, but you don’t enjoy doing that work. I learnit’s the passion that you have for something that is more valuable, my route ingraduate school is to become a university professor. The past few months ingraduate courses has been quiet a challenge, but I have been transformed andlearn a lot. Often people choose the path of least resistance, but it’s by over-coming barriers and learning from the struggles that define who you are.

In closing I hope to meet many of you at the upcoming 8th Hmong NationalConference in Washington DC. I hope you will appreciate reading this issue.Thank you for your support and don’t hesitate to let the editorial staff know whatyou think.

In solidarity,

Seng A. VangHM Editor in Chief

ContentsHHeeaaddlliinneessHSIC A New Chapter in Hmong History 3

HSIC Updates and News 3

HAI Committee Report 4

HSIC at Fresno New Year 2002 5

CSU Sacramento Conference 5

Representative Profiles 7

FFeeaattuurreessBecoming American 8

PPeerrssppeeccttiivveessA “Hmong American?” 11

Hmong Tradition 11

Squarely in the Gray 12

Denial is a FAcT 13

My Glass House 13

I am 14

OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonn SSppoottlliigghhttssUC Irvine:HSA 15

UM Twin Cities: HMSA 15

OOppiinniioonnssYour College Experience 16

AAnnnnoouunncceemmeennttssFurthering Education 17

HSIC Website http://www.hsiconline.org

HM Website http://hm.hsiconline.org

Contact HM Email: [email protected]

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:

NNyob zoo xyoo tshiab! Welcome to 2003, thebeginning of the second half of Y.E.A.R. O.N.E. Asthe Executive President of the Hmong Student Inter-collegiate Coalition this year, I truly commend eachand every single individual who have molded HSICinto the strong and energetic organization it is today.We have spent the past months building a solid foun-dation for HSIC, and there are many more excitingevents and programs rising up for the rest of Y.E.A.R.O.N.E., which will be planned out and organized atthe January statewide retreat at the University ofCalifornia, Davis. I highly encourage all of you to getinvolved in either a committee or at the regional orstate level and transform your visions into reality inserving the Hmong American community!

Even with a delayed start, the dedicated members, Committee Directors, andthe Board of Directors have contributed endless dedication to shape the successwe have reached today. HSIC can look back and reflect on the tremendousaccomplishments that have taken place, with a strong emphasis of recognitiontowards the five new committees: Grant Proposals, Fundraising, HmongAmerican Issues, Publications, and Website. Sub-committees under the umbrel-la of these directors have organized exciting projects and programs that keepthe gears of HSIC running. From the impressive HSIC website to the successfulfundraiser at My Generation to the fun Hmong Fresno New Years activities andto the accomplishments of Hmong Movement, plus much more, this organiza-tion is on a roll in carrying out the themes of Y.E.A.R. O.N.E.

In addition, the three regions that are run by the Regional Representativeshave mobilized more members and unity in HSIC, as well as strength and pride.Quarterly meetings and regional interaction have helped many of us college stu-dents to exchange ideas and develop strong support for one another. TheRegional Representatives also serve as the Board of Directors with the fourExecutive Officers, who make important decisions and approvals for the organ-ization as a whole. Bi-monthly Board meetings take place every other Sunday at7pm, which is open to the public so please feel free to join us via our onlinemeetings.

As I take a moment to reflect on the mid-year benchmark of Y.E.A.R. O.N.E.,the seeds we planted in the fall begin to bloom with the end of Winter andbeginning of Spring. I am excited to see what beautiful crops will bloom in thenext few months! Once again, thank you to all who make HSIC such a wonder-ful organization and community of compassionate college students, who areunafraid to make a difference and step up to leadership. Best of luck to every-one for Y.E.A.R. O.N.E. as well as the year 2003!

Sincerely,

Amorette Yang HSIC Executive President

2 Hmong Movement WINTER 2003

HeadlinesHSIC: A New Chapter In Hmong HistoryBy Seng A. Vang and Catherine Yang

The Hmong first began arriving to the United States in 1975 as refugees escap-ing a secret war in Laos. It was only in 1972 that the first Hmong received a doc-torate and it was in his dissertation that he wrote Hmong called themselves “Hmong”not Miao or Meo, the name imposed on them by outsiders that changed Westerners’perceptions of the Hmong. During the secret war of Laos, about 30 Hmong stu-dents were studying aboard in western nations such as the United States, France andAustralia. This unintended consequence as a result of the secret war was the firstopportunity for Hmong to pursue higher education.

During the past two and a half decades more and more Hmong students areentering the collegiate system in the United States. The majority of Hmong studentsin California come from low income families and is usually the first to enter college.According to Hmong scholars there are more than 120 Hmong who have earn adoctorate or equivalent terminal degrees, an estimated 250 who have earned mas-ter’s degrees and about a thousand who have earned bachelor degrees. At the pres-ent across the nation about 6,000 Hmong students are enrolled at universities andcolleges.

Particularly for Hmong college students in California there has been a traditionof Hmong students forming associations to support each other and increase aware-ness of what Hmong culture is. The Hmong Student Association (HmSA) at CSUFresno has been established since 1984-85, the first Hmong student organization,followed by CSU Stanislaus HSA formed in 1985-86. Students involved in theseorganizations have learned leadership skills and performed many activities such aseducational conferences or outreaching events to empower the Hmong communi-ty. As a result, the desire to find a central place where college students statewidecan come to related to and to help each other, started to grow. In the early 1990’sHmong students from different organizations in California formed the HmongHigher Education Network. Though this organization collapsed a few years later ithad laid the foundation for a new organization to inherit its legacy.

The initial action that brought this desire to the limelight for a new organizationto emerge was months of planning and discussions between students across thestate of California. The first step was the Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow intercol-legiate conference hosted by the Hmong Student Union of UC Santa Barbara in Aprilof 2001. Many of these students were able to meet each other for the first time atthe HND 7th Hmong National Conference held in Sacramento a month earlier.During the initial the part of the summer of 2001, the idea of the coalition was con-ceived, a structure defined and a constitution drafted. A group of students acrossthe state began to come together in Fresno, California for the first statewide meet-ings to discuss the formation of the coalition. By September with the elections of theExecutive Officers and ratification of the constitution the idea became reality and theHmong Student Inter-Collegiate Coalition (HSIC) was born.

HSIC’s main objectives as an organization are to support Hmong students andserve as a channel to display the talents of Hmong students. It also works as a meanto address the issues and needs of students. Not only is HSIC a useful resource forHmong students, it acts as a bridge among the Hmong students to the communi-ty as well as the bigger community outside of the Hmong community.

Membership of HSIC is made up of college students who belong to college organ-izations. The members taking part in the formation of this coalition are spreadthroughout California. In fact, the large turnouts at meetings from different schoolshas resulted the coalition to be separated into three regions.

There is the Northern California regioncovering the colleges and universitiesnorth of Stockton. The CentralCalifornia region is the area betweenStockton and Bakersfield. Last but notleast is the Southern California regionwhich covers the universities and col-leges below Bakersfield. Each memberorganization or chapter of HSIC elects orappoints one representative. Eachrespective region elects three regionalrepresentatives. The nine regional rep-resentatives and four executive officersform the governing body of HSIC, theBoard of Directors.

Since its birth, HSIC has been work-ing on obtaining its status as a non-profit organization. Not limited toattending such events in the communi-ty, HSIC has put on a successfulLeadership Retreat in September 2002,in Irvine, California for college studentsstatewide. The formation of HSIC has,for the first time, enabled college stu-dents statewide to form a networkamongst each other like never before.In fact, not only did HSIC network col-lege students from within the state, butwith the emergence of projects such asHmong Movement, it is able to bring thespotlight to college students and col-lege organizations from outside ofCalifornia. HSIC has enabled Hmongstudents to become familiar with largerorganizations and foundations andform connections with the community.With continuing interest from Hmongstudent organizations across the coun-try seeking membership with HSIC, theformation of a national Hmong studentnetwork is a possibility in the nearfuture.

HSIC Updates & NewsBy Seng A. Vang

HSIC Statewide MeetingOctober 26, 2002 at CSU Fresno,

HSIC held a statewide meeting to electnew regional representatives to theBoard of Directors. The nine regionalrepresentatives, three from each region,together with the four executive officerscompose the Board of Directors, thegoverning body of HSIC.


North Cal chapter representatives electedtwo regional representatives, Blia Moua,from CSU Sacramento and Xia Lee, fromUC Berkeley. The third representative,Rodger Vue from Consumes RiverCollege of Sacramento was appointed bythe Board of Directors in November.

Central Cal chapter representativeselected three regional representativesreturning to the Board for a second termis current CSU Fresno HmSA vice presi-dent, Shawn Her. The other two Centralregional representatives are Pao Her fromDeVry University (Fremont) and PaulaVang from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. South Cal chapter representatives elect-

ed three regional representatives, LengXiong from UC Irvine, Jennifer Her fromUCLA and Seng A. Vang, from UC SanDiego, a former board member. (Pleasesee Profiles page 6)

Committee Chairs 2002-22003The Board of Directors appointed chair posi-tions to the following committees:

Publication Committee: Seng A. Vang asEditor in Chief of Hmong Movement.Hmong American Issues (HAI)Committee: Srida Moua from UC Berkeleyas Director.Website Committee: True Xiong from UCSan Diego to a second term asWebmaster of the HSIC website(http://www.hsiconline.org). Fundraiser Committee: Maybo Lee fromUC Davis as Coordinator of fundraisingprojects. Grant Proposal Committee: Julie Xiongfrom UC Berkeley as Chair to researchand review proposals for grants opportu-nities.

If you are interested in joining any of theabove committee, please contact your

local representative or regional repre-sentative for more information. All com-mittees are open to any HSIC membersand are “inter-collegiate” statewide initia-tives.

Hmong American IssuesCommittee ReportBy Srida Moua

The Hmong AmericanIssues Committee, in its firstyear, successfully completedseveral projects that wereplanned during the FresnoHmong New Year of 2002-2003. Thefirst of theseprojects was“Ib Zaj DabNeeg” in

which Hmong folklorewas illustrated in achapter’s own “PaperStory Quilt” as in com-parison to the actualPaj Ntaub storycloth.The goal of this projectwas to reinforce storytelling, a crucial part to the HmongCulture that seen to be fading everygeneration. Special thanks the UC DavisHmong Student Union and the UCBerkeley Laotian American StudentRepresentatives for contributing creativequilts. The second group of projectsincluded display boards, which furtherelaborated, on issues such as SoutheastAsian deportation, furthering education,and recognizing the Hmong Americanmen and women who are paving theway for the Hmong Community.

The Deportation board provided cur-rent information on the unjust deporta-tion of Cambodian American’s all acrossAmerica for “aggravated felonies,” whichare non-severe violations such asshoplifting, DUI, and simple theft.Although they have already served theirtime, the American government contin-ues to send out deportation notices.America thrives on its cultural diversity,so why is it that only a large majority ofthe Cambodian community is beingattacked? It is also scary to think ofwhich community could be next – theHmong, Mien, Lao, or VietCommunities? As we can see, weHmong are among the minority groups

that will soon be victimized if unjustdeportation is not prevented. Thinktwice. Do you want to see your par-ents, grandparents, and/or relativessent back to Laos, a country that stillholds a grudge against the Hmongfor aiding America during the SecretWar? For more information, pleasevisit www.searac.org and www.api-force.org. Special thanks to ShawnXiong Lee of CSU Fresno for his cre-ative artwork on the Deportation dis-play board.

The “Further Education – Y.E.A.R.O.N.E.” display board focuses onupcoming tests and events that are

occurring within thenext months prior toFall 2003. The boardalso included inter-views from severalcollege students fromdifferent universi-ties/colleges acrossCalifornia. Also, spe-cial thanks to allthose college stu-dents who took theirtime to fill out the

questions. Last, but not least, theRecognition board recognizedSenator Mee Moua of Minnesota,State Representative, Cy Thao ofMinnesota, Dr. Tony Vang of theFresno Unified School Board. In addi-tion, thought unsuccessful, Steve Lywho ran for the Elk Grove UnifiedSchool Board and Kao Pathong Vue ofSacramento were also recognized fortheir campaigns.

All these projects were displayedat the HSIC booth at the FresnoHmong New Year. It is with greatgratitude towards Ching Vue, Chair ofthe New Years Subcommittee, thatHAI was able to display these proj-ects, allowing HAI to make theHmong community more aware ofwhat is going on in the community.

Biography

Srida Moua is a freshmen at theUniversity of California, Berkeley. Sheis majoring in Integrative Biology.

“Think twice. Doyou want to see yourparents, grand-parents, and/orrelatives sentback to Laos.”


ice breaker statewide mtg.

HSIC at Fresno Hmong NewYear 2002By Ching Vue

HSIC has taken a great step towardsthe future. On Christmas Eve, HSIC invad-ed My Generation nightclub in full force

packing itwith some370 peo-p l ethrough-out thenight. TheF r e s n oH m o n gNew Yearwas thep e r f e c tsetting forHSIC to

make their presence felt. From the open-ing day, December 26th until the finalmoments of the 31st, the HSIC boothbecame the local hot spot for its mem-

bers and college students. The Hmong New Year festivities at the

Fresno fairgrounds began on the 27th ofDecember, when many of the membersof HSIC came out in their Hmong clothesand formed two lines to toss ball. HSICmembers wanted to show the communi-ty that we are proud of our heritage andculture by dressing up in traditionalHmong costumes. The 28th was thebiggest day for HSIC in the Hmong NewYear festivities. Members came out intheir college sweaters to show theirschool pride and send a powerful mes-sage to the community of how importanteducation is. Additionally, a hand full ofmany talented members in HSIC mus-tered up the courage to go up on themain stage and perform songs, spokenword poetry, and dances with many HSICmembers to support them in full force.

On the 29th the regional days beganwith the northern region heading up theactivities.

“HSIC memberswanted to show thecommunity that weare proud ofour heritageand culture by

dressing up in traditionalHmong costumes.”

The 30th gave way to the HSIC SouthCal region. Apparently a solo violinistwas able to rope in some donations.

HSIC Central Cal closed the regionaldays and the New Years events bymanning the booth on the 31st.Representatives from many of the HSICregions sat at the booth to promotehigher education and recruited somehigh school students and interestedparents who wanted more informationabout various universities in California.

The Hmong New Year in Fresno of2002-2003 presented HSIC a greatopportunity to express their concernsabout the Hmong community as well asetting for college students to come,relax, and network. This year’s boothat the New Year was a success and themembers had a great blast participat-ing in the events that took place. HSIClooks forward to the Hmong New Yearin 2003-2004!

CSU Sacramento ConferenceThe Spectrum of EducaationBy Blia Moua

“I didn’t realize that there were somany Hmong students in college!”exclaimed a high school student whoattended the California State University,Sacramento Second EducationConference. Hmong University StudentAssociation (HUSA) at CSUSacramento hosted theconference on October19, 2002. The conferencehad a successful turnoutof over four hundred stu-dents and parents. HighSchool students camefrom the Sacramento and Stocktonareas. The conference feature a skitperformed by students focus on earlymarriage. In addition, a highlight of theconference was the college fair session,where college students from various

Californiauniversi-ties cameto displayinforma-t i o na b o u tt h e i rs c h o o la n dorgani-zations.The dayconsistedof workshops facilitated by studentsand professionals who presentedinformation about college with with anemphasis on culture awareness.

There were various workshopsdesigned to help high school graduat-ing seniors to apply for college. Topicsincluded completing the universityapplication process, reviewing collegerequirements, student life-collegepanel, career selection and financialaid. These workshops allowed the stu-dents to become aware of the manyresources available in helping them tobe success in college. HUSA also pro-vided workshops for college studentsthat covered issues such as Leadershipand Activism, Hmong history andImages of Hmong American Women.These workshops helped bridge thegap between the students, the parentsand education.

In addition to the workshops, HUSAalso invited Paul Lo, who is currently inattorney in Merced, to be the keynotespeaker. Mr. Lo took this opportunityto reach out to the younger generation.He gave an inspiring speech on the sig-nificant role that education plays in the

progression andpreservation ofthe HmongC u l t u r e .Furthermore, Mr.Lo helped to rein-force the mes-sage of the con-

ference: one’s education is not limitedsolely to the classroom but it alsoincludes gaining knowledge aboutone’s culture.

BiographyChing Vue is a senior at CaliforniaPolytenic State Universty San LuisObispo

“HUSA also provid-ed workshops forcollege students

that covered issuessuch as Leadership

and Activism,Hmong history andImages of HmongAmerican Women.”


NORTH CALName: Blia MouaSchool: California State University,SacramentoOrganization: Hmong University StudentAssociationClass status: SeniorMajor: Liberal Studies

What do you hope to accomplish:

I would like to unite all members of HmongStudent Inter-Collegiate Coalition throughopen communication, because I believe it isone of the fundamental pillars of a strongorganization. Once we are able to sustaincommunication between the members andthe board, we will then be able to move for-ward together to better the HmongCommunity. This relationship will also allowus to effectively deal with issues that are relat-ed to us as students and as members of aminority. This organization will enable us toface any obstacles that may arise. But mostimportantly, one of my hopes is that thisorganization will help to empower us asHmong students to not only preserve our pastbut also to further advance us through thecollaboration of our resources.

Why pursue higher education:

From my educational experiences, I havelearned that one becomes more knowledge-able and more aware of their surroundings asthey become more exposed to what existsbeyond their comfort zone. This in turn, Ibelieve will help to ensure an individual of asuccessful future. As a senior in college, myexposure to new and different ideas hasbroadened my understanding of who I am asa Hmong American. Furthermore, those of uswho go on to obtain a higher degree will serveas an example for youngergenerations to go beyondour own aspirations.

Words ofwisdom/advice foryounger students:

“Remember always that youhave not only the right tobecome an individual; youhave an obligation to be one.You cannot make any usefulcontribution in life unless youdo this."--Eleanor Roosevelt.Know that you are someone that can make adifference and do it.

Regional Representatives

Name: Xia LeeSchool: UC BerkeleyOrganization: Laotian AmericanStudent RepresentativeClass status: JuniorMajor: Psychology (Minor: Education)


Upon graduation, I hope to get accepted intoa California graduate school for either aDoctorate in Psychology for Counseling or aDoctorate in Psychology for Marriage andFamily Counseling. From there, I would liketo go into counseling, either in a high schoolwith a Counseling degree or in a personalclinic with a Marriage/Family Counselingdegree. However, I am also looking intoexploring the business field after a few yearsof counseling so I am also looking into goingback to school for that. As for HSIC, alongwith the other North Cal representatives, Ihope to bridge the gap between the chapterswithin the northern region.


Education is an asset that remains witheveryone throughout their lifetime. Itcan not be taken away. Instead, educa-tion is a continuous process that neverceases. It provides people the opportu-nity to be knowledgeable of their envi-ronment and the world. It also givesindividuals the chance to explore theirideas creatively and rationally within alearning environment filled with otherintelligent peers. Thus, allowing growthand gradual comprehension of oneself.

Words of wisdom/advice foryoungerstudents:

N e v e roverlookwhat youh a v e .Appreciateand bec o n t e n twith whoyou areand whatyou have

been blessed with.

CENTRAL CALName: Pao Her School: DeVry University (Fremont) Organization: Hmong Organization ofTechnology Class status: Sophomore Major: Computer EngineeringTechnology


I would like to do outreach to highschool student to let them know what'sHSIC is, and bring more campuses to beinvolved.


I attend school because I want to learnand hopefully be able to get a good job.I’ve always received encouragmentfrom parents, relatives, professors, andeducators to pursue higher educationso that I can be self-sufficient. I enjoytrying to guided the youth, and be apositive model for my younger brothersand sisters.

Words of wisdom/advice foryounger students:

Tswv yim yeej muaj nyob ntsug kojlawm, koj tsis tau ua xwb. Yog tas kojua hab xaav kom tawm tes koj yuavtswm ua tau xwb.

Name: Paula VangSchool: California Polytechnic StateUniversity, San Luis ObispoOrganization: N.AClass status: SophomoreMajor: Graphic Communications


I hope to graduate by 2005. I'm not surewhat I want to do after that, but as long as Iput my degree to use, I'll be happy. I hopeto be involved in the community still and beinvolved in promoting the Hmong culture inlater years. However, I know that it all startswith getting to know the culture first and Ithink that I've taken a big step in that direc-tion by joining HSIC. If anything, I just wantto be a good role model and show theyounger generations that there’s nothingwrong with adapting


Board of Directors 2002-03

to another culture, but at the same time, youshould never forget your roots.


You shouldn't limit yourself to only what youneed to know to get by in life. Knowledge isa very powerful weapon and you should use itin any way possible to better yourself andyour community.


Don't take life here in America for granted.Strive to reach your full potential, but alwaysremember where you came from and takepride.

SOUTH CALName: Leng XiongSchool: University of California, IrvineOrganization: Hmong StudentAssociationClass status: SophomoreMajor: Aerospace Engineering


"What I hope to accomplish through HSIC is toone day established a network of Hmongprofessionals (HSIC college graduates) whereour communities and or each other can turnto for support and services."


"Pursuing of a higher education serves manypurposes. While most purposes are obvious,such as: acquiring the necessary knowledgeto obtain a well-paying job that will lead to abetter standard of living, other purposesaren't as obvious, such as finding your iden-tity and trying to figure out your purpose inthis world. My reason for pursuing a highereducation is more of the obvious reason andthat is to secure a better future for me, myfamilies and love one. Once that purpose hasbeen fulfilled, other purpose will surly cometo play."


"No matter what you do or where you go afterhigh school, just don't end your educationthere and start working your ass off becauseyou have the rest of your life to work. Jobs willalways come and go but your young yearswon't, so take that opportunity to explore andmake your life

an active science."

Name: Jennifer Her School: UC Los Angeles Organization: Association of HmongStudents Class status: Senior Major: Asian American Studies (Minor:Education)


Short terms goals are to finish this year andfinally get my bachelors. I'd like to continueon with school and get my Masters in AsianAmerican Studies and teach soon. I'veenjoyed working with the community sohopefully continue that as well.


Education to me is more than just readingwhat the books tell us. In pursuing my edu-cation I hope to learn more about the worldaround me and what is not in the books. Lifeexperiences, perspectives from everyone,and the knowledge that you gain whenworking with others is what education real-ly is about.


"Each generation must, out of relativeobscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, orbetray it." I often think of this quote when lifegets tough. Think of what this quote saysand what it means to you and hopefully youwill find some truths to it.

Name: Seng A. VangSchool: University of California, San DiegoOrganization: Hmong StudentAssociation of San DiegoClass status: 1st year Graduate StudentMajor: Ethnic Studies, Ph. D.


As a co-founder of HSIC, I have spent thelast two years collaborating and organizingwith other Hmong students to establishHSIC. I envision HSIC to become a self-suf-ficient student-based and student-runorganization to serve the emerging HmongAmerican community.

There are a number of imperative issuesconcerning the Hmong American commu-nity. Advocates often say "the Hmong com-munity is like a river of drowning babies, noone person or organization can pull out offthese babies, there are not

enough hands to save everyone." However,working together we try to find out why all thesebabies are being thrown into the river. Only bygoing to the source of the problem can we pre-vent this from occurring. This analogy refers tothe lack of motivation of many Hmong to reachfor their fullest potential.


Education is the key that will unlock the door tocountless other opportunities. My endeavor inpursuing higher education is not only for myself.To experience firsthand the struggles of accul-turation and challenges of poverty that the com-munity endures is a source of inspiration. Withthe privilege of education, it is a debt for my fam-ily and community. I am just one of the firstpathfinders who must pave the way for our peo-ple. For thousands of years our people have suf-fered much and always faced constant conflictwith others. This denied our people our owncountry, learning our own history and traditions.But even after thousands of years of oppression;we still exist as a people with our own unique andrich cultural traditions that makes us Hmong.With the opportunity to come to the U.S. we nowhave the chance to learn the secrets of literacyand technology. These are the tools we mustlearn to use to reach out for the American dreamand at the same time preserve our Hmong dreamof understanding where we have been and whowe are. We now have the power to continue theoppression or liberate the minds of our people.

Words of wisdom/advice for youngerstudents:

What motivates me is when someone tells methat I can not do something. Being a first gener-ation college student, I am the first in my familyto graduate. After having the opportunity to studywith a Hmong American scholar, it has empow-ered me and shown to me that Hmong are just ascapable as anyone else. Dream big and don'tworry about failing, just try your hardest becauseif you set your mind to it anything is possible.Don't be so fast to criticized someone until youhave lived a day in their shoes. Talk is cheap.Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the talk. Don'tassume things unless you have directly commu-nicated with the source. Being in a visible leader-ship position, often times you will hear a lot ofcriticism, however just do your best because nomatter what people will always complain. Breakdown all the negative stereotypes you hear ofHmong, because they are not true, Hmong arejust like everyone else. Get involved in the com-munity and give back. Set goals to accomplish.Realize your own biases and prejudices becausewe all have them. Don't be afraid to ask for help.Reach for your fullest potential.


FeaturesBecoming American: The Experience of Hmong AmericansBy Kou Yang, Ed. D.

Reprinted with permission from Editor, Ethnic Studies Review Vol 24 (Combined 1,2,3) 2001.Hmong Americans, who came from pre-literate society and rural background, went through many accultura-tion barriers, and have made many successes between the time they first arrival in 1975 and the year 2000.Their first decade was preoccupied with their struggle to overcome cultural shock and acculturation difficul-ties. The second decade is their turning point to be new Americans, beginning to run for political office,establish business enterprises, achieve in education, and reduce their high rate of unemployment and welfareparticipation. Hmong Americans in 2000 appeared to have achieved much, yet have some serious chal-lenges still ahead.

This paper details the Hmong experience in America. It discusses their twenty-five challenging years ofbecoming Americans, and emphasizes Hmong Americans’ perspectives of their own American experience,including issues related to social, cultural, educational, economic, and political development.

Introduction:The year 2000 marks the 25th

anniversary of Hmong history in America,and it is also 25 years after the end of theU.S. Secret War in Laos, which resulted inmany Hmong of Laos coming toAmerica. The year 2000 is also the end ofthe 20th century-an unprecedented cen-tury of changes and development for theHmong. It probably brought morechanges to the Hmong than any othercentury in their long history. The year2000 is an opportune moment to take alook at the experience of the Hmong inAmerica. Unlike European immigrants,post-1965 Asian immigrants, and otherrefugee groups from Indochina, theHmong were culturally, educationally andtechnologically unprepared to accultur-ate with America, the most developedcountry in the world. This conjuncture ofthe Hmong and American cultures hasproduced some significant changes inHmong traditions. Nonetheless, Hmonghave also produced some unusual suc-cess stories.11 This paper is an attempt toexplore the current experience of HmongAmericans, identify some of their suc-cesses as well as their current difficulties,and place the status of HmongAmericans into proper perspective. Itemphasizes Hmong Americans’ per-spective of their history and other expe-rience in America, including discrimina-tion and issues related to social, cultural,and economic development.22

The term “Hmong Americans” in thispaper refers to all descendants of Hmongancestry who are now residents or citi-zens of the United States. The term“Hmong”33 refers to an ancient Asian eth-nic group who call themselves “Hmong”,but who are labeled by

outsiders as “Miao” in China, and “Meo”in Thailand.

Background of the HmongAmericans:

The Hmong are an ancient Asian eth-nic group found in China, Vietnam,Laos, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), andafter 1975, in America, Australia, andEurope.44 They call themselves“Hmong,” not Miao or Meo, the namegiven to them by non-Hmong, and theyprefer to be called by the name“Hmong”.55 They are believed to havelived along the Yellow River area ofChina around 3000 B.C.66 If thisaccount is accurate, then the Hmonghave a known history of at least 5000years in China. Many scholars havegone further by suggesting that theHmong were the aborigines of centralChina,77 and that the Hmong were thefirst settlers of the basin of the YellowRiver.88 Another school of thought sug-gests that “of their pre-history only onething is certain, that is the Miao[Hmong] were in China, before the[Han] Chinese, for it is the latter whoindicate the presence of the Miao in theland”.99

During their long history, the Hmongwent through many developments,struggles, and many periods of war andpeace.1100 They have been pushed andpulled from north to south, from east towest, and from the fertile lowlands ofChina to the desolate mountainoushighlands.1111 The inhospitable eco-geographical mountain environmentmight be one of the many main factorsthat trapped the Hmong into povertyand their many distinctive technologicaland socio-political conditions.

The Hmong in Southeast Asia camefrom China. They began their south-ward migration to Southeast Asia dur-ing the 19th century when troublesplagued China. The decline of the Qingdynasty, the Opium War, the TaipingRebellion and foreign aggressionoccurred during this century.1133 Theresults — war indemnity, heavy taxa-tion, poverty, and other conditions thatwere the push-factors of many south-ern Chinese to migrate to Hawaii and toSan Francisco in mid-19th century.1144The Hmong might have been pushedout by these same factors, along withthe possibility that the Qing and otherruling majorities oppressed theHmong.1155

A few Hmong in Southern China leftduring these periods to Southeast Asia,and some were found in Laos around1810.1166 Gradually they migrated toVietnam and Laos, and later to Thailandand Myanmar (Burma). Since theirarrival in Laos around 1810, theHmong have lived a mostly peaceful lifein the highlands, except for three warsin which they became involved.1177 Thefirst two wars were waged against theFrench colonial government in Laos toprotest heavy and unjust taxation. Thefirst took place in 1896.1188 The secondwar was known as the “War of theInsane” and it occurred between 1919and 1921.1199 The last war — the mostwell known war in modern Hmong his-tory — was the United States CentralIntelligence Agency’s Secret War inLaos, and it lasted from the early 1960sto 1975.2200 It is called the Secret Warbecause the CIA did not tell the U.S.Congress and the American publicabout their involvement in Laos due tospecific


treaty stipulations preventing the USfrom having ground troops in Laos.

Although this last war caused heavycasualties and tremendous upheaval forthe Hmong of Laos, 2211 it also pushed andpulled many Hmong into education,modernization, and most importantly,socio-political recognition.2222 As aresultthe Hmong in Laos had their firstdoctorate in 1972, and it was this doc-torate’s dissertation that changedWesterners’ view of the Hmong of Laos.In his dissertation, Yang Dao wrote thatthe Hmong call themselves Hmong, notMiao or Meo — thename imposed onthem by outsiders— and that Hmongwant to be called bythe name they callt h e m s e l v e s ,Hmong.2233

In less than 200years, the Hmong ofLaos have under-gone a change intheir identity andstatus from volun-tary immigrantnon-citizens to fulland active participants in Laotian social,economic and political affairs. TheHmong were not accepted as full citi-zens of Laos until 1947.2244 By the begin-ning of 1975, the Hmong of Laos hadone minister, one chief procurator of theLaotian Supreme Court, one general,three deputies to the Lao NationalAssembly, two members of the NationalPolitical Consultative Council, one per-son with a Ph.D., and more than 30 stu-dents studying in universities abroad.2255

The end of the U. S. Secret War in Laosin 1975 gradually pushed more than 10percent of the population of Laos tobecome refugees abroad.2266 More thana third of these refugees are Hmong.Approximately, one half of the 300,000Hmong of Laos have fled the countrysince 1975. During the U.S. Secret War,the Hmong of Laos were divided intothree factions: the right, neutral andleft.2277 It is estimated that one-third ofthem belonged to the right faction whoallied themselves with the Royal LaoGovernment, supported by the CIA.Another one-third of the Hmong of Laoswere on the opposing side; they foughton the side of the communist Pathet Lao.

There are in 2001, more than 200,000Hmong in Laos, and they continue totake active roles in the affairs of thecountry. Hmong continue to have fewhigh-ranking officials, including oneminister, a Vice President of the LaoNational Assembly, and one provincialgovernor. The last group, who com-posed of mostly Hmong peasants,were neutral to the conflict, yet suf-fered from it as much as the other twogroups.

The Hmong began to leave Laos inMay 1975, by year’s end, a few Hmong

refugees hadalready perma-nently resettled inAmerica. About750 Hmong cameto the United Statesin early 1976,2288 andtheir numbers grewslowly but steadily.Hmong refugeeresettlement in theUnited Statespeaked in 1980,when about 27,000Hmong wereadmitted.2299 Their

population grew rapidly in the early1980 to an estimated 100,000 in1989.3300 Although the United Statescontinued to admit Hmong refugeesup until the end of 1990s, there arestill more than 10,000 Hmongrefugees living legally or illegally inThailand. By the end of 1999, HmongAmericans were estimated to number200,000.3311 This rapid growth is attrib-uted to the Hmong’s high fertility andlow mortality rates, and to the pastcontinuous influx of Hmong refugeesinto this country. In the 1990 census,Hmong Americans made up 1.3% of allAsian Americans.3322 Among all Asiangroups in America, the Hmong repre-sent the youngest population, with amedian age of about thirteen. Theyalso have large families: 6.6 people perhousehold.3333 This might be explainedby their past agricultural lifestyle, andtheir traditional preferences for largefamilies and for having more than twogenerations living under one roof. Inaddition, use of effective fertility con-trol technology, such as the oral con-traceptive is often not readily availableand/or ncouraged/informed within

“Although this last war causedheavy casualties and tremen-dous upheaval for the Hmongof Laos, it also pushed andpulled many Hmonginto education, mod-ernization, and mostimportantly, socio-political recognition.”

the Hmong community. The size of aHmong large household in Laos variesfrom 10 to more than 20 persons,including children, parents, grandpar-ents, cousins, aunts and uncles, andother members of the extended fami-ly.3344

In the early days of resettlement, theHmong, like other refugees fromIndochina, were dispersed throughoutAmerica. In the early 1980s, manyHmong began to migrate to California,in what is known as a secondary migra-tion. By the end of 1986, approximate-ly 46,000 (more than half the Hmong inthe United States) were living inCalifornia.3355 It was during this time thatFresno, California became the capital ofthe Hmong - the largest concentrationof Hmong in America. The Hmongcommunity in Fresno grew from onefamily in 1977, to 5 families in 1979, to2,000 in 1980, and to about 35, 000 in1993.3366 The mid-1990s saw a reversalof this trend, with Hmong moving out ofCalifornia, especially Fresno.3377 Toescape high unemployment and pooreconomic conditions, many Hmongmoved out of Central California cities toMinnesota, Wisconsin and other mid-western states.3388 Fresno, which toppedthe list of cities with the largest concen-tration of Hmong in the 1980s and early

1990s, dropped to second place in1999. The Twin Cities — St. Paul andMinneapolis, Minnesota — with morethan 60,000 Hmong, now occupies thetop spot.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, theHmong were among the poorest andmost politically passive AsianAmericans. The 1990 Census, forexample, indicates that 65 percent ofHmong Americans were unemployed,and more than 60 percent lived belowthe poverty line.4400 The Hmong werebasically in the stage of cultural shock.Gradually, they learn to cope andadjusted to their new life in America.Many success stories of the Hmongbegin after 1990. The election of ChouaLee, a Hmong woman, to the Board ofEducation for the St. Paul

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Public Schools in 1992 marked not onlythe beginning of Hmong’s participationin the American political system, butalso their level of social and economicdevelopment. More Hmong individualswere elected to public offices inMinnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.The rate of Hmong unemployment andwelfare participation began to decline,as more Hmong participated in theAmerican labor market. Hmong busi-nesses expanded and grew. Hmongrestaurants in Detroit, for example,multiplied from only a few in the early1980s to more than 100 by the end of1999.4411 More importantly, the Hmongcommunity began to cast away the labelof refugee, and to call themselvesHmong Americans. They began toexercise their rights and responsibilitiesas American citizens, and work to retainthe best of their cultural heritage. Thechanges in the last decade show aremarkable level of social adaptation tomainstream America by HmongAmericans. From pre-literature society,the Hmong in 2000 have more than 120doctorates, 9 tenured and tenure-trackuniversity professors, 3 city council per-sons, and others. Additionally, HmongAmericans have developed their uniqueculture in America: they haveHmongrapcomedy, Hmonglish, andHmong American music, dance, artsand media. They have, indeed, come along way but still have a long way to goto overcome many of their acculturationproblems, such as family conflict, youthdelinquency, poverty, health and otherissues.

The Acculturation of HmongAmericans

The meeting of Hmong and Americancultures has created many success sto-ries, and distinctive cultural barriers,economic hardship, family conflict,youth delinquency, and health andmental health issues. Unlike Europeanimmigrants, post-1965 Asian immi-grants and other refugee groups fromIndochina, Hmong were one of the leastprepared Indochinese refugee groups toadjust to life in America.

The Hmong culture is shaped andformed by a long history of being anoppressed minority, with a group-ori-ented patriarchal clan system, a belief inanimism and ancestral worship,

an oral tradition, a rural lifestyle, andslash-and-burn agriculture.4422 Theirbackground resembles that of the earlyChinese immigrants to San Francisco inthe 19th century who were mostlypeasants. These rural southern Chinesefarmers were mostly uneducated andfrom poor peasant families.4433 Whenthey arrived in California, the Chineseformed associations based on theirclans, dialects, and/or districts inChina.4444 The Hmong, too, use theirclan names as a base for many of theirorganizations in America.Organizations such as the Lo SocietyEducational Council, Thao Universal,Xiong Educational Way, and YangFamily Association exist in almost all ofthe 18 known Hmong American clans.Many Hmong in Central California growspecific crops, such as strawberry,tomato, bean, bok choy, lemongrass, and their farming is sim-ilar to the agricultural work ofthe earlier Chinese andJapanese Americans. Like theearly Chinese in America, theHmong came to America fromrural background and withoutany formal educational training.

The Hmong are very differ-ent from other post-1965Asian immigrants whose membersinclude not only many city dwellers butalso professionals. The post-1965Chinese immigrants “came from urbanbackgrounds, were educated in HongKong, mainland China, or Taiwan, andare Mandarin speaking, in contrast tothe Cantonese [Guangdong] origin,Toysanese-speaking [Taishan hua]Chinese resident population”4455, whichcomprised most of the earlier immi-grants. The Immigration Act of 1965abolished the national origins systemand gave a high priority to family reuni-fication, and skilled and unskilled work-ers.4466 As a result, this Act has been themain factor in the rapid growth of theAsian American population, especiallythe educated and the professionals.4477

Adjusting to a new cultural environ-ment is not new to the Hmong.4488However, the extremely large culturalgap between the Hmong and main-stream Americans created formidableobstacles to the traditional coping

skills and folkways of the Hmong.These cultural differences, in additionto a lack of transferable vocationalskills and inadequate educationalpreparation, have contributed to manymajor acculturation problems such ashigh unemployment, poverty, a highrate of welfare participation, a signifi-cant generation gap, youth gangs, rolechange and conflict, mental health andmedical problems.

In the early 1980s, many refugeeworkers concluded that the Hmong’sadjustment to life in the United Stateswas “a worst case situation”.4499 Thisstatement reflects the difficulties thatface both Hmong and Americanimmigration, resettlement and socialservice systems. While the UnitedStates is regarded as the land of immi-grants, working with contemporary

Asian immigrantsand refugeessuch as theHmong is new tothis country.Previous immi-grants to theUnited Stateswere mostly fromEurope. TheEuropean model

or straight-line theory, which“includes voluntary immigration,acculturation, integration, assimila-tion, and eventual absorption into thedominant society”5500 is problematic forthe Hmong. Unlike most prior immi-grants, the Hmong came to Americaas non-white refugees and broughtwith them their long history as anoppressed minority scarred by wars.Consequently they have a very differ-ent outlook and cultural experience.Nothing about America compares withanything from their past experience;adjusting to life here was beyond theircoping skills and wisdom.Consequently, the resettlement of theHmong in the 1980s and early 1990shas been a challenging experience forboth the Hmong people and for theiradoptive land.

Fortunately, the acculturation situa-tion gradually improved toward theend of the 1990s. During the mid-1980s, about half of the more than 70Hmong American communities

continue on page 18

“the extremely largecultural gap between

the Hmong andmainstream

Americans createdformidableobstacles...”


PerspectivesWhat does being American mean? Toeven begin to argue this point, wemust first irrationally assume that ourown self-definitions of what it meansto be an American even matters toothers. In all brutal honesty, it doesnot. Society does not assume us to beAmericans. No, we are first and fore-

most Asians, the perpet-ual foreigners and eternalenemy aliens. No onecares that we were born inProvidence, Rhode Island,or that English is the firstand oftentimes only lan-guage we speak. No oneassumes that pig brainsand chicken feet are anormal, healthy part of anAmerican diet. We willalways be considered asoutsiders first and thenexpected to prove our-selves as Americans.

And even then, that expectation is aCatch-22. Dyeing our hair blond andputting in blue contact lenses does notmake us more American, it makes uspathetic wannabees. Being the headcheerleader and listening to LinkinPark does not make us moreAmerican, it makes us white-washed.Voicing our political views and point-ing out the social injustices of societydoes not make us more American, itmakes us angry minorities.

Being an American is a label reservedand attainable only if you are white.Being Hmong is a label of the past andattainable only if it can be used inter-changeably with the label of F.O.B.Being Hmong American…well that’sjust unattainable. The best of bothworlds…yeah right, I’m simply tryingto find out who I am and where Ibelong in this world.

Hmong TraditionBy Nenick Vue

I guess it's tradition to take things forgrantedFor us to abuse the things we'vebeen handedThe rancid waste of a son who'vecome to love the hum of his Civic SiRacer Special EditionWho's only ambition would be toscrew the next girl who gives himpermissionLiving in delusions and concludingthat he's moving nicely along in life,When he's already been divorcedtwice and his new wife is wishing todie,All the while his broken father cries,knowing well that his son is a lairBut still pays andStill prays that his son will get better,Forgetting the letter his daughterbothered to write to her father,Who's now becoming the doctor whoescaped the 40 year old man whoalmost bought herFor just a few measly thousand dol-lars, But now she guesses she's got hersGetting married to the Chineselawyer, who simply had to say heloves her,Forgetting her factory-working loverwho took the job to support hisdying motherThinking he was beneath her, whobelieved in the traditions that keepsher,Her whys are still unanswered, buther mind now cancerious and noweven her own denies herIn the midst of this, the grandfather,however, is never heardBiographyNenick Vue is currently a senior atClovis High School in Clovis, California.He intends to enroll at one of theUniversity of California next fall. Heaspires to be a lawyer, perhaps as apublic defender.

BiographyJulie Yang is a senior at the University ofCalifornia, Santa Barbara.


A “Hmong-AAmerican?”By Julie Yang

I must confess that I am tired of hearingthe old cliché that a “Hmong-American”combines “the best of both worlds.”Idealistically, I would like to say that I amHmong-American, butthe truth is that I am nei-ther. Neither Hmong norAmerican, and mostcertainly not Hmong-American.

What does being Hmongeven mean? Is it the waywe are socially con-structed and labeled by“others” as Hmong orhistorically as Miao? Is itthe slant of our eyes orthe missing bridges ofour noses? Is it the foodwe’ve always eaten butnever have been able to prepare our-selves? Is it the traditions and folklores wepretend to understand but are unable toexplain? Is it the language we struggle tospeak and retain, or is it the costumes wereluctantly wear once every New Year toplease our mothers? Or is it the Hmongnames given to us at birth that weshamelessly change once we are oldenough to understand that a Mary or aTom just sound like better American cit-izens than a Mai or a Tou?

Hmong means free…right? Free fromwhat and free from whom? As long as wehave existed as a people, we have neverbeen free. The price of “freedom” hasalways been one of isolation and desola-tion. From China to Laos and Laos toAmerica, our freedom has always beencontingent upon the “good graces” of ourhost countries. One may argue that free-dom is more than a country to call yourown, that it is the mental and emotionalfreedom that is most revered. However, ifwe are so free than why have we alwaysand still continue to flee…from genocidalwars to the urban Hmong ghettos, weknow of no freedom. The sad reality isthat escaping and running away hasalways secured the survival of our people.

“Hmong meansfree…right? Freefrom what and freefrom whom? Aslong as we haveexisted as apeople, we havenever beenfree..””

Squarely in the GrayBy Xiongpao LeeThe same blood they bled then to save me now still rages like aroaring river through my heart.

The SameNo one can see that far behind themselvesto the place and time of their ancestors,yet only material things dividethe ancient lives and ways from those today.Strip away the superficial layerlike TV, money, and technology,and underneath you'll find it's all aboutthe same universal needs and desires;food, water, shelter, and securityas we run to just keep our old places.

BloodPumping, beating, flowing, bringing life toevery single, solitary cell ofthe tired, worn, battered, and dying body.Shimmering, shinning, glistening in thesunlight I watch the blood profusely flowfrom the violent wound deep within the heart.As the solemn rhythm slowly ceasesand life begins to leave the decease'slimbs, a grim reminder creeps into thought.Although I could I wouldn't and will not.

They BledDoes anyone ever ask to have suchhorrible things occur in their lifetime?Things so shocking and destructive that theyleave scars not only on the flesh, but onthe very course of history itself.Yet they still happen again and again,from when they bled the muddy Mekong redto when they flee from poisonous gasses,and hateful infantry to hide in the mountainside while no one still gives a damn!

ThenThen why should I care about it at all?Why should I do anything about it?It doesn't have anything to do withme, or my life, so it doesn't evenbother me. I don't care, I've got problemsof my own. Everyone's got their problems,but you don't see me complaining do you?Wherever I might be, and whateverI might be up against I'd do my best.That's all I could ever ask of myself.

To SaveTo save all of the biggest chunks for us,to save our clothes so that they'd last longer,to save money to spend on us later,to save time for us so that we could laugh,to save us from our own dangerous pranks,to save us from the scary outside world,to save you from complete embarrassment,to save face rather than to do what's right,to save what little closeness we have left,to save this family we must split up.

Me NowThen I didn't know what has changed me now.

I didn't know who I really was, andwhere I really came from. I wasn't born

when I was born, I was born before timecould remember the names of ancient kings,

and I'll never die as well for my soulwill return to the home from which it came.

I must care because I must do my bestto not forget the past that has made me,

so that I can make a better future.

Still RagesKids with no support lose hope and drop out.

Children who are barely grown must marry.Clans clash and rehash grudges new and old.

War against refugees still rages on.Gender roles so defined they're like prison.

Huge double standards in social leeway.Lack of role models in communities.

Lack of leadership in communities.Continued growth of generation gap.

Animosity over religion?!Like A Roaring River

An azure dusk settles over mute tones,and across the horizon streaks of pink

flare sharply through tranquil, turquoise treetops.The dream courses like a roaring river

rapidly transforming into a flood.Crashing waves of dark plum and midnight blue

continue like a moonlit hurricanebringing swirls of iridescent stars, and

star-crossed hearts upon a merciless seaof white dwarf pirates and red giant beasts.

ThroughIn my perfect world no one can hurt me.

I hate pain, suffering and all it brings,but then there I would live all by myself

because a perfect world where no one hurtsis to have no one else around to love.

Maybe I could learn to live with the riskof losing my life if only to get

a chance to feel the cool breeze on my face,and your heart beat in my arms warm embrace.

Maybe I can break through to live with you.

My HeartEvery fiber of my being only

knows how to be by what its genes decree.Thus the constant battle between that and

the intangible, unlimited me.The me that is part of the energy

that transcends space, time, and human judgment.My heart that feels all things are possible.

You see, between where angels send their deadand where even demons fear to tread,

only you and I can find the strength to love.

BiographyXiongpao Lee is an Alumni of the University of South Carolina Spartanburg.


Denial is a FAcTBy Nou VangNiag txov tom npua rog, niag rog rev, fatso, fat ass, fat pig,big fat beluga, etc., I've heard them all. I was always big orfat growing up. I always got tease by others, and didn't makea lot of friends. It is hard to cope with the name calling, teas-ing, etc. People say that "sticks and stones will break yourbones, but words will never hurt you," well, those people areright. Words destroy you. It eats up all your happy feelings

and con-taminates itwith empti-ness. Theemptinessmakes yourheart. Thisis how I felt;lost in thisworld withnothing togain but

everything to lose.My worst memory of a horrific attack towards me was when

I was about 6 years old. I had just came home from school,and no one was home, so I sat by the door waiting for myparents. All of a sudden I see rocks flying towards me. I justcover my face and head with my hands dodging the rocks. Icried, and cried. Those people simply did this for amuse-ment, and knew that I wouldn't be able to get them backbecause I was fat and couldn't run fast. There were timesthat I would be depress for months and just eat and eat andeat some more. There were nights that I remember mur-muring to myself with lonesome tears raining down mycheeks, "I don't have any friends because I was fat, I was fatbecause I ate a lot, I ate a lot because I was unhappy, I wasunhappy because I had no friends." I was always contem-plating why was the world punishing me, why did our cre-ator made me who I am (fat and ugly), why couldn't he hadmade me someone else or someone different.

I did a lot of soul searching. I realize that the only way Ican help myself is love and accept me, for who I am. Ibelieved that this is the only way to be strong and fight thenegativity that clings on to be so sternly. I've come to learnthat inner-strength and strong will conquers all. I transfermy emptiness, loneliness and sadness into poems andsongs for inspiration and desire to better myself. I finallyfound myself again when the friends I made and have sawme and not my obesity. None of them reminded me that Iwas fat, and they all "showed" me that true beauty is fromthe inside. I told myself that I was going to live life to myfullest and wouldn't regret anything at all. I learned that Idon't have to be skinny and handsome to be somebody inthis world as long as I knew who I was and who I wanted tobe. Of course, there are still times today that I wish I wasskinny and handsome. Our generation now is all aboutlooks, and I feel that I'm still far from it. There are numer-ous time that I would be sad that I don't have a nice, tone,athletic body like other guys.

For example, I work for the Athletic Department at UC Irvine,and when I work swim meets, I get even sadder because Idon't have a body like theirs. This is why I try to avoid work-ing swim meets. However, I just try to be positive and I'll getover it because I believe in myself. I believe in myself. As aHmong person, one usually keeps one's feelings hidden anddoesn't share it with his/her parents; especially if one is amale, because sensitivity showed a sign of weakness and itwas out of the question. Some words of advice, I'm going tobe very frank to the Hmong elders or peb cov laus, PLEASE,don't ever approach me or any fat person about there weightbecause if they're not nice like me, you will be sorry that youoffer your comment(s) or, as you put it, your expertise abouttheir weight. It is an insult asking them how much they weightor saying youneed to loseweight or gosh,why are you sofat! PLEASE don'tpretend to be my friend because you feel sorry for me. I don'tneed that. I don't want anyone to sympathize or pity me forwhat I have been through and still am going through, I justwant others to understand that obesity is not an easy thing.My goal here is to educate others that obese people arehuman beings too, and they have feelings that hurt like every-one else.BiographyNou Vang is a sophmore at the University of California Irvine

"I don't have any friendsbecause I was fat, I was fatbecause I ate a lot, I ate a lotbecause I was unhappy, Iwas unhappy because Ihad no friends." “...they have feelings that

hurt like everyone else.”

My Glass HouseBy Nenick VueCut across, the loss of direction has come at a cost,The blossomed dreams of his father has suddenly beentossed-away,Away, from the faults and the moss, the stagnant soul hasnow been washed,A pause, the walls seem to suffocate day,The once prideful light, has flickered away,The future is his, but he just lays here and prays, praysthat he'll have something to say,To say when the fragile glass house comes crashing andhe is to blame,The name, tainted on his painted face, still holds his claimto fame,Without the slightest effort, he's already won the game,All the same they push him to gain what's givenJust sittin' and livin' what's already been long writtenHe's gettin' tired of being the blind old man his father is,Sick of receiving and demanding to live,To be in the here and now, but the air is now suddenlychoking,The smoking dreams are now evoking the broken streamsof tears,That tears, that sears lines of regret and builds on fear,The fear of failure and a voice falling on deaf ears,Yet the breaking point nears and nears, And in time he'll have to embrace and bear,Their hated fated future that almost is here


I AmBy Xiongpao LeeI am this face you see and this voice you hearI am this body and this skin colorI am this name and of this heritageI am these prides and of these prejudices

I am a Hmong in AmericaI am America in a HmongI am one in a world of manyI am a world of many all in one

I am love, hate and relationshipsI am knowledge, ignorance and wisdomI am excitement, boredom and passionI am culture, fear and understanding

I am my own pain and joyI am my parents suffering and happinessI am my relative's fortuneI am my ancestor's sacrifice

I am the screams of the beaten, and the left behindI am the hopes and dreams of the dead, and the dyingI am the blood, sweat, and tears of those that surviveI am the end and the beginning of all their lives

I am walking a dark and lonely pathI am talking to ghostsI am listening to treesI am more than what they want me to be

I am the wind that blows the cloudsI am the mountain that touches heavenI am the ocean deeply unknownI am the earth that quakes and trembles

I am what is when it seems it isn'tI am what must be when it must be itI am when all that can't, won't, or wouldn't doesI am when you think you don't think you can, but you do

I am inside and all around youI am the rhythm that your heart beats toI am the sun and the moonI am your dreams and your nightmares come true

I am who, what, where, why, and whenI am never eat soggy wafflesI am something, anything, everything, and nothingI am above, below, beside, behind, and beyond

I am right and leftI am positive and negativeI am linear and curvedI am space and time

I am and am notI am the eight wonder of the worldI am life's questions and life's answersI am the center of the universe

I am chaotically harmoniousI am wildly normalI am just like youI am just trying to find my place in this world

I am resolved in my commitment to making a difference in ourlivesI am dedicated to dealing with the issues that affect usI am hoping to inspire you to do the same, andI am never going to give up trying.

Hmong Movement is a forum for individuals to share andexchange experiences through fictional or non-fictional writingand/or poetry, where socio-cultural, political, and educationalissues can be discussed. Hmong Movement will be publishedquarterly in January, April, July, and October of each year.

Submission Guidelines:Headlines: Current events, reports and news.

Perspectives: Creative writing, fictional and/or non-fictionalcompositions, poetry, and folklore literature.

Features: Forum for professionals, educators, graduates andundergraduate students to contribute articles relevant to theirdisciplines or area of expertise on imperative issues concerningthe Hmong American community.

Organization Spotlights: Information regarding a studentorganization and/or campus

Student profile(s): To feature a collegiate student displayingexemplary leadership or outstanding academic excellence.

Creative Corner: Showcase artwork and talents.

Opinions: Your own words and thoughts.

Submissions may be in English or Hmong must be double-spaced and saved as word document.

You may send submissions via email as an attachment [email protected]

Your submission must include the following: Name:Address:School: Phone: Email:Organization: Male/Female:Age: Year of college or Profession:Photo: (Optional) Personal Description: (please limit to 250 words).

This information is necessary in contacting you if your submis-sion is chosen.

If you submission is chosen you will be notified by email and/orphone. For further information please contact Seng A. [email protected] or [email protected]


SSuubbmmiissssiioonn GGuuiiddeelliinneess

Organization SpotlightsUC Irvine HSA: Friendship Is a VirtueBy Nou Vang

Nyob Zoo, Hmong Student Association (HSA) Zoo Siab Txais Tos. HSAat the University of California, Irvine was founded in 1991. HSA was cre-ated to build a community of social support and culture awareness forthe Hmong students. Our organization also promotes higher education.Our organization has an incredible history of traditions and events.

Now that the new academic year has taken flight, HSA is also on itsway to greater heights and opportunities. HSA started the year hostingthe HSIC Leadership Retreat at UC Irvine and a Barbeque/General Meetingwhen school began in September. The turnout of new and old memberswas a success. The food was unbelievably great. Plans for the schoolyear was discussed and proposed.

With so much tradition and expectation, HSA has been and still trueto its roots by having Annual Bon-Fires. The Bon-Fire is exactly what it'scalled, to bond with one another. This is a way to get to know the mem-bers on a more intimate base and become friends. This year's Bon-Firewas an absolute success. Another tradition is Rock N' Bowl, where we allgo bowling and hang out with the members. Group activities, like theones mentioned, allow everyone to feel welcome and have a sense ofbelonging. Friendship is our greatest and most respective goal in HSA.Fue Xiong, the HSA Vice-President this year, 2002-2003, said "I havenever expected such strong unificationbetween the Hmong students here atUCI and I am proud to have made theHSA my home away from home."

Our HSA annually sponsor aThanksgiving Pot Luck, where we inviteall other Hmong student organizationsfrom all over California to come, feastand hang out together. This year, thenumber of participants doubled fromthe previous year. More than 80 peo-ple participated, and almost everySouthern California organizations were represented. It was an tremen-dous event! We also have a Christmas Gift Ex-change where we pickedother members in the organization at random and buy them gift(s), let-ting them know that they are thought of during the holidays. TheChristmas Gift Ex-change this year was awesome; I believed everyone gotwhat they wanted. This year we held the event at an ice skating rink,where there were lots of slippery and sliding.

Aside from social event, we also organize fundraiser activities for theclub. HSA goes to TV Tapings, which we went to the taping of America'sFunniest Videos of the Thanksgiving and Christmas outtakes. We alsohelp out at the UCI Bren Events Center for basketball games, concerts, etcby managing the concession stand. Our organization also participated inthe Asian Pacific American Awareness Conference (APAAC), where weheld a workshop and educated our audiences about Hmong's history andcultural backgrounds. This allows other ethnicities to have an under-standing of our organization. Another cultural event that we participat-ed in was the Cultural Show held in UC Riverside last year, which ourorganization helped co-sponsor the event with the HSA at UC Riverside.We also performed a hip-hop dance and help fundraise for the cost ofthe show. By being able to participate with a variety of things occurringwith everyday life shows that HSA have achieved its individuality thatHmong people has struggle to do so. Remember my motto - "HmongStudent Association-People of Tomorrow, Students of Today!" HSA hasbeen a great social support for me and I'm glad I'm a part of an organi-zation that integrates friendship as a virtue.

University of Minnesota-TwinCitiesBy Susie Vang

Barely five feet tall, my stubby legs trekkedacross the Washington Avenue Bridge at theUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities. As I halfran on the quarter mile stretch that connect-ed me from the West to the East bank of theMinneapolis campus, towering bodies strodetwo, three, then four feet ahead of me. As Iwalked amid this stream of college studentson the first day of my freshman year, I couldnot help but feel a little lonely and lost. As one of the Big 10 Schools, the University ofMinnesota-Twin Cities takes pride in enrollingover 50,000 undergraduate students and ishome to over 20 libraries. In fact, the univer-sity campus is so big that classes are held inboth Minneapolis and St. Paul, thereforerequiring a busing system.

The college campus visits and high schoolexperiences certainly did not prepare me forthe experiences of going to a big school. Iwas overwhelmed by the first week of college.I was in dire need of people who understoodme when I told them how tough it was tohuddle in dark corners eating lunch or walkfor miles trying to get to classes.

Despite the large number of students at theUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities, one ofthe things that attracted me to the institutionwas the significant Hmong population, one ofthe biggest in the nation. I expected to see afew people who resembled my short stature,squinty eyes, and flat nose, but I saw nonethat first week. From a high school wherediversity was evident, it was difficult gettingused to the "colorless" environment. Throughmy three older sisters, two who are alumniand another who is currently a senior, I dis-covered that a good number of Hmong stu-dents usually came out of hibernation to par-take in meetings and activities held by theHmong Minnesota Student Association(HMSA). After a week of loneliness, I wasexcited and giddy when I heard about theupcoming HMSA meeting because I was anx-ious to mingle and make friends.


The HMSA website stated that this organization was first formed by six core mem-bers, but I was baffled when I stepped into the first HMSA meeting because theroom was lined with over 100 seats that were all filled. Through many icebreakersand introductions, I got to know a lot of the members and it did not take long beforeI was officially hooked to HMSA. I was not the only one. According to sign-insheets, over 70 students, including a handful who are not Hmong, found thisorganization to be beneficial as well, making HMSA one of the strongest culturalorganizations at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Chee Ly, a junior enrolled in the Institute of Technology majoring in computerengineering, is an active HMSA member. Ly expressed why this organization isimportant to him. "HMSA is like family to me. You meet so many new people thatyou don't see them on campus at all, but when you go to meetings you see all ofthem," Ly said. "Being in HMSA, it made me feel like the whole University ofMinnesota campus is smaller than it is."

Besides gaining this feel-ing of belonging to the larg-er university community,HMSA has also helped mem-bers understand what it is tobe Hmong through groupactivities, which involves thecommunity outside ofschool. Through variousactivities such as the annualHMSA Heritage Event,Hmong students rehearseapproximately three months every weekend before showcasing their array of talentto family and friends, peers and university staff members.

The theme for the 2001-2002 HMSA Heritage Event was: "Who Are the Hmong?Where Are They Now?" The event had over 200 people in attendance who wereentertained by university students with a fashion show, a Hmong folktale about howlast names were created, and a performance of the classic song, "Hmong YuavTsum Hlub Hmoob."

Like most of the Hmong students who attend the University of Minnesota - TwinCities, I chose not to live on campus so I did not expect to have much of a social lifeduring my first year in college. That first week of feeling lonely on campus haschanged considerably since I joined HMSA. From a naïve freshman to this power-ful Hmong organization, I have learned a great deal about how vital my contribu-tion to community activism is, not just for the Hmong community, but also to thelarger American society. Since HMSA was my main outlet to having a "social life"beyond the stack of textbooks and essays, I was able to unite with many Hmongstudents and explore the uncertainties of college and sacrifices of the Hmong peo-ple through group discussions and presentations. Most importantly, being a partof the Hmong Minnesota Student Association has given me the opportunity to takeon leadership roles. Through these experiences, it has helped remind me that nomatter how short my legs may be in this vast world of overgrown beings, my hardwork and integrity will help me reach my greatest aspirations.

Lastly, the Hmong Alumni Association (HAA) is the next step for HMSA gradu-ates. The Hmong Alumni Association provides HMSA students a mentorship pro-gram. The professions of the mentors range from actors and computer engineersto print news reporters and U.S. constituent advocates.

“From a naïve freshman to this pow-erful Hmong organization, I havelearned a great deal about how vitalmy contribution to communityactivism is, not just for theHmong community, but also tothe larger American society.”

For more information on HMSA, please check out: www.tc.umn.edu/~hmsaFor more information on HAA, please check out: www.hmoobalumni.org

OpinionsYour College ExperienceBy Srida Moua

Overall, what do you find mostinteresting about college?*The social aspect. Dealing with differentroommate situations, agreeing, disagree-ing with different personality types, ideas,and weird habits. Overall, you get to stepout of your own sheltered world from liv-ing at home with your parents and findout what it's like to live with different peo-ple. -Chee Lee

*I think the freedom is most interestingand fulfilling part of college. You get somuch from being away from home andmaking your own choices. -Tou Lor

In your opinion, how important isnetworking among professors, grad-uate student instructors, and otherstudents? Is it a key component tobeing successful in college?*Networking with professors and studentinstructors is a key in the advancement ofyour education. Having connections willopen doors that are not open to you with-out these connections. -Tou Lor

*Very important. Letters of recommenda-tions are crucial to entering into gradschool. Also, by making connections, youfind out more about internships, jobs, etc.You get the kind of individual attentionthat your peers or classmates can't giveyou. It's a plus because once the teachersdistinguish a face with a name you getbetter grades. -Chee Lee

What advice would you give to stu-dents who are pursing a higher edu-cation and to those who are taking adifferent route?*I would advise students to research onwhat they want in terms of major, schoolsize, school location, cost of education,cost of housing, student population, avail-able programs for students, or distancefrom home. To those who are taking adifferent route, I would let them know thatcollege is there if they change their mindsone day, I can help and advise themalong the way. College isn't for everyone,but it's always an option.-Cho Xiong

BiographySusie Vang is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is currentlyenrolled in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is double majoringin print journalism and sociology emphasizing in law, crime and deviance.


*Too much knowledge can cloud aninnocent mind from learning andaccepting new things. Ignorance is thesame. Obtain a skill and learn how todo it to your fullest. Knowledge is notpower. It's what you do with it, is whatmakes it what it is. You can know howto cure the world from all sicknesses,but if you don't do anything to help,what good is knowledge. Ric Ya

In five words or less, describe yourcollege experience.

*Maturity, Independence, Unforgettable,Proud, Challenging -Cho Xiong

*Reality. Individualism. Freedom. Fun.Adversity. -Tou Lor

*Interesting, Intriguing, Enlightening…Intellectually Stimulating -Ric Ya

Interviews:

Ric Ya, FreshmenMajor: Computer Information SystemsDevry University (Fremont) Hmong Organization of Technology

Tou Lor, JuniorMajor: PharamcyUniversity of the Pacific Hmong Students Association, President

Cho Xiong, 1st year Graduate Student; Major: Social WorkCSU Stanislaus Hmong StudentsAssociation

Chee Lee, SeniorMajor: Cultural Anthropology andSociologyUC Santa Barbara Hmong Student Union

Special Thanks:Front Cover Models:

Mai Lee Xiong, JuniorMajor: Computer EnginerringSchool: UC San Diego

Shawn Thao, SeniorMajor: Liberal StudiesSchool: San Diego State University

AnnouncementsFurthering Education By Srida Moua

Reminder to all High School Seniors and College Students:January 1st to March 2ndFile your FAFSA- the sooner you fill out the application, the better your chances areat getting the right amount of financial aid.There are two ways:

1) Application Process (see counselors, school office)2) On the WEB at www.fafsa.ed.gov, but DON'T FORGET to obtain a pinnumber first at www.pin.ed.gov

Cal GrantsComplete your GPA Verification Form: January 1st to March 2nd

Universities of California:Expect to take the Subject A Exam around May 10-11, 2003. What is the Subject AExam? A written exam that is required for the UC's. If you pass this exam, you avoidtaking college writing during your college years. The Subject A Exam basically givesyou a few hours to write an essay. However, passing/not passing the Subject Arequirement does not affect your chances of getting into a UC.

How do you take it? Once you are admitted, the test date and location will be sent to you.

California State Universities:If you have applied to any state colleges, DON'T FORGET to sign up for the EPT/ELMexams. What are the EPT/ELM exams? These exams are required for all of theCSU's. The EPT/ELM are two separate exams that are used to establish the level youare at with English and Math before you start signing up for general educationcourses.

How do you take it? See your counselors or main school office. Obtain an application, fill it out, and send the fee with the application. Remember, youare basically signing up for TWO tests: English and Math.

Community/City Colleges:For Fresno City, the exam will be taking place at your high school. You will beinformed be your counselors or staff personnel. For other city colleges withinCalifornia, contact their main offices for more information. Don't forget to ask ifthere are any requirements, such as, tests.

College Students: DON'T FORGET to renew your FAFSA and CAL GRANTS for nextyear, 2003-2004.

Website Recruitmentby True XiongDo you draw? Take photos for fun? Know HTML, Javascripts, CGI scripting or want tolearn? Enjoy writing? The HSIC Website team can probably use you. Be a part of thisexciting team by sending an email to [email protected]. For more infor-mation, visit http://www.hsiconline.org/websiteteam.htm.


continue from page 10throughout the United States had

already achieved self-sufficiency.5511 Bythe end of the 1990s, most HmongAmerican communities had somewhatsuccessfully adapted to life in Americaand are fairly self-sufficient, except for afew Hmong communities in CentralCalifornia, especially Fresno, Visalia,Merced, Stockton, and Sacramento. Theslow attainment of self-sufficiency forthe Hmong in California’s Central Valleymight be partially due to the economy ofthis region, which is based on agricul-ture, and which does not offer the kindsof jobs the Hmong need to sufficientlyprovide for their families5522. ManyHmong made their secondary migrationto Central California with the hope offarming, but their hope turned sourwhen they realized that their slash-and-burn farming skills are not compatiblewith the highly mechanized agribusinessin Central California. Moreover, they didnot have the needed capital money,technological and marketing skillsneeded to do agribusiness. As a result,most of them were not able to supportthemselves from their small farming. Afew of them continue to farm specialcrops, such as strawberry, Bok Choy,Lemon Grass, Bitter Melon, and so on.Although the Hmong in California’sCentral Valley have not yet achieved fullself-sufficiency, they, too, have beenable to reduce their welfare participationfrom about 60% in 1995 to just above20% in 1999.5533

Gender differences in adaptation:While many Hmong men adapt well

to life in America, others do not. A studyof Hmong men in 1993 reveals a diversegroup with very different approaches totheir adaptation to life in the UnitedStates.5544 The study classified themaccording to their outlook in life. Themen fell into one of three groups: thepast, present, and future-oriented. Past-oriented Hmong men emphasize theimportance of their life in the past;theyhave a harder time adapting and sotheyexperience more

“Hmong American parents andcommunity gradually makemore efforts to support bothboys and girls to get highereducation.”

acculturation problems. Present-orented Hmong men focus on their dailylife, with no realistic goal(s) for thefuture. Future-oriented Hmong menfocus their energies and thoughts ondiscussions and activities that will pos-itively impact their future. They tend tohave more education and access toresources, and experience more socialindependence.

This study indicates that as mem-bers of the Hmong community haveadapted to life in America differently,they have themselves become morediverse in the process. At one end ofthe continuum are those who do notadapt at all, with tragic consequences.Hmong men have committed a fewhigh-profile acts of self-directed vio-lence, including a Hmong man inSacramento who, in fall 1999, killed hisfive children and himself. 5555

The adaptation of Hmong womenappears to be two sided. On the posi-tive side, many Hmong women tend tosee America as the land of opportunity.They learn the language faster, havingmore interactions with their children,the teachers of their children, and otherservice providers. Hmong women canalso earn an income sufficient to sup-port their families, and hold responsi-ble jobs outside of the home. Thesefactors might explain the substantialprogress made by many Hmongwomen. The success stories of HmongAmerican women seem to be on therise as we enter the 21st century. Forinstance, a woman, Choua Lee, becamethe first Hmong to be elected to publicoffice. Many Hmong women playimportant leadership roles in theHmong American community, includ-ing chairing the first and secondHmong National Conferences. InCalifornia, three out of the five Hmonglawyers are women. Hmong womenhave many strong associations, includ-ing the Association for theAdvancement of Hmong Women, andthe Hmong American Women’sAssociation. The Executive Director ofthe Council of Asian PacificMinessotans is a Hmong woman. Thetwo Hmong students attendingHarvard University are women.

On the negative side, many Hmongwomen live in America without attain-ing the full benefits of societal partici-pation. Many of these women spend

most of their time at home, with verylittle or no opportunity to get an edu-cation or to interact with Americansociety. Many of them are homebecause of having to care for theirmany young children, while others arehome because of restrictions imposedupon them by their husbands or fami-lies. Consequently, many of thesewomen do not fully benefit from beingin America, the land of opportunity andfreedom. Like Hmong men, manyHmong women continue to suffer fromfamily, health and/or mental problems.Violent cases involving Hmong womenare known to occur. One of these casesis the case of a Hmong woman in St.Paul, Minnesota, who, in September1998, strangled her six children todeath.5566

One of the many important factorsthat have influenced the progress andchange for Hmong American women iseducational opportunity. In America,all children must attend school and areprovided with free elementary and sec-ondary education, regardless of gen-der. While Hmong girls tend to get lesssupport from their parents, clan, andcommunity to pursue higher educationthan Hmong boys, they are equallyentitled under the law to get an educa-tion in America. Two decades havepassed, and they are more accustomedto life in America. Hmong Americanparents and community graduallymake more efforts to support bothboys and girls to get higher education.This support is evident in many educa-tional celebrations, where both boy andgirl are honored for their educationalachievement. In 1999, Hmong menand women students in many universi-ties are of almost equal size. It appearsthat, in California State University,Stanislaus, there are more Hmongwomen than Hmong men students,and this campus’ Hmong StudentAssociation is ran by mostly Hmongwomen officers. This opportunity andaccessibility to education, in addition toequal income earning power, are likelyto continue empowering Hmongwomen to make more progress in thefuture. And, this development is likelyto alter traditional Hmong gender rolestoward the more egalitarian genderroles of mainstream America.


Experiencing Discrimination

The Hmong American communitysuffered countless acts of discrimina-tion; many began soon after their arrival.In 1984, 32 Hmong families in Fresnowere illegally evicted from their apart-ments. The tenants fought back in avery American way. They took case tocourt, and later accepted an out-of-court settlement of $278,000, wellbelow the $34 million judgment theyoriginally sought.5577 On June 23, 1991,The Fresno Bee published an articledescribing the anger of many residentsof Tollhouse, a suburban communitynear the foothills of Fresno County,where Hmong burials and funeral prac-tices had greatly distressed area resi-dents. One resident, Tom Dean, wasquoted as saying “They [the Hmong]ought to go back to Hmong-land”.5588 AHmong chapel burned down thatmonth, and the cause remains a mys-tery.5599 The likelihood that this repre-sents an ethnic hate-crime remains.

In 1992, the Fresno City Council pro-posed an ordinance to make illegal thekilling of animals without a permit. Thiswas an indirect attack on Hmong reli-gious practices, which occasionallyinvolve animal killing.6600 In the mid-90s,many Hmong fruitstands along ShawAvenue and other streets were burneddown, some more than once. TouxiaXaochay Thao, a Hmong farmer inFresno, stated that these fruitstandswere torched at night so that no onewould know who did it. He said somefarmers had taken to bringing theirvaluable property home when they leftat the end of the day.

In some cases, media stereotypes andmisleading details aggravate the prob-lem of public perception of the Hmong.The Fresno Bee, in particular, has pub-lished headlines that played up ethnicitywhen the story is unfavorable.

The article, “Hmong Girl Allowed ToGo Home”6622 would be titled differently ifshe were not a Hmong. The title mightthen have been “ ‘Fresno Girl’ or ‘ClovisGirl’ Allowed To Go Home.” Anothertitle, “Hmong Say GAIN Unfair” was mis-leading. The Fresno Bee reporter did notinterview or survey the more than 30,000 Hmong in Fresno to come to thatconclusion. In fact, the article said therewere only 500 Hmong who had partici-pated in a

demonstration to publicize their claimthat GAIN was unfair. This kind of taint-ed journalism led a Cambodian refugeeto observe, “when I do somethingwrong, it’s because I’m Cambodian.When an American does somethingwrong, it’s only because they’re Mike orJohn.”6633 When referring to youthgangs, instead of identifying the gangby name, the Fresno Beetends to identify themsimply as Asian orHmong gangs.

Hmong in other citieshave also encounteredmany discriminatory acts.For example, the Hmongin Wausau, Wisconsin,were discriminatedagainst when in 1993, agroup of citizens suc-cessfully pushed to endthe practice of busingtheir children to otherschools, where they would be mixedwith mostly Hmong students, “to give allstudents...,” in the words of a schoolofficial, “...an equitable socioeconomicbalance and learning environment.”6644While many good American citizens,groups and organizations do their bestto help the Hmong, many others do notwelcome their presence, and are openlyvent their hostility toward them.

Hmong Americans at the Dawn ofthe new Millennium

After 25 challenging years in America,Hmong Americans have alreadyachieved much, yet have some seriouschallenges still ahead. Many of theirmost pressing difficulties stem fromfamily problems, youth delinquency,health, and economic hardships.theseproblems result in tragedy. For exam-ple, a Hmong man in Fresno was foundguilty on September 29, 1999, of slay-ing his wife’s lover.6655 In February 1999,a judge in Fresno sentenced a leader ingang rapes to 86 years.6666 Hmongcommunity leaders and elders wereshocked at the news that three boys,ages 10, 11 and 13, were arrested inSeptember 1999 for gang-raping an 8-year-old girl.6677 And on October 11,1999, Lee Pao Xiong, the President ofHmong National Development,announced

that four Hmong girls from out of statewere abducted at gunpoint and heldfor more than two weeks in Detroit.They were repeatedly raped by a dozenHmong boys and young men inDetroit.6688 This is just a sampling of themany problems areas that have arisenin the Hmong’s attempt to acculturateto life in America at the dawn of this

century. On the other

hand, HmongAmericans havehad many suc-cesses and mademany contribu-tions to America,despite their shorthistory in thiscountry. Some ofthese successesare discussedbelow:

Education: Hmong did not have their own writtensystem until 1953, and had not earneddoctorate until 1972. And it was notuntil 1982 that the first Hmong earnedan American doctorate. Nonetheless,the Hmong make education one oftheir most important goals. By 1999,about 120 Hmong Americans — a thirdof them women — have completedtheir doctoral studies (including law,pharmacy, and other professional ter-minal degrees).6699 Hmong womenmake up about three-fourths of allHmong American lawyers, and inCalifornia, as mentioned earlier, threeof the five Hmong lawyers are women.Although they are small in number,Hmong American students are foundin many American Ivy League institu-tions, including Harvard, Yale, andStanford. A few Hmong also managedto be admitted to and/or completetheir studies in many American militaryacademies, including West Point. Astudy in Minnesota found that Hmongstudents in St. Paul, Minnesota, incomparison with other students, havelower dropout rates, higher education-al aspirations, and parents who place ahigh emphasis on education.7700 If thepicture portrayed by this study reflectsthe reality of the Hmong, many moreHmong youth are expected to excel inhigher education over the next decade.

“...media stereo-types and mislead-ing details aggra-vate the problemof public percep-

tion of theHmong.”


University Teaching:There are, as of 2000, nine Hmong per-sons holding tenured and tenure-tractuniversity teaching positions, and thereare many Hmong who are in other non-tenure tract teaching positions. Of thesenine, four are tenured associate profes-sors. Five of them are in California, twoare in Wisconsin, and one each inMinnesota and Iowa.

Political Participation:With Choua Lee’s election to the Board ofEducation of the St. Paul Public Schools in1992, she became not only the firstHmong but the first former refugee fromIndochina to be elected to public office.7711Her victory marked a beginning ofHmong’s participation in the Americansocial, economical and political process.Choua Lee is a Hmong American politicalpioneer who set the precedent for aHmong leadership tradition. Since hervictory, three Hmong persons have beenelected to local school boards inWisconsin and Minnesota, and threeHmong persons were elected to citycouncils (two in Wisconsin, and one inOmaha, Nebraska).

Business Enterprise:Since the Hmong first entered the UnitedStates in 1975, many have tried toengage in business enterprises. Theearly businesses of the Hmong weremostly of ethnic enclave businesses andeconomy, involving grocery stores, auto-motive repair shops, car dealership,financial services, and insurance sales.Ethnic enclave businesses involving threemain factors: ethnic population and con-sumer market, pay worker less, andapprenticeship relationship betweenowner-worker.7722 In the 1990s, manyHmong have engaged in mainstreambusinesses such as professional services,health care, the high-tech industry,poultry farming, restaurants and so on.For example, the 10,000-Hmong com-munity in Michigan has engaged heavilyin restaurant businesses; they own andoperate more than 100 restaurants. TheHmong in North Carolina have investedin many sectors of poultry farming.Some Hmong in Wausau, Wisconsin doginseng farming, and many Hmong inCalifornia engage in strawberry farmingand other agriculture-related business-es. New York

has a small number of Hmong, but afew invest in the high-tech and motelindustries.

Self-hhelp organizations:Hmong Americans have establishedmany community-based organiza-tions to serve their many communitiesthroughout the country. For example,the Resource Development Guide ofHmong National Development listed25 Hmong organizations in California,6 in Colorado, and 10 in Minnesota.73Among these organizations areHmong National Development(national), Fresno Center for NewAmericans (local), Lao FamilyCommunity (local), Hmong AmericanWomen’s Association (local),Association for the Advanced HmongWomen (local), Hmong AmericanPartnership (local), and so on. MostHmong associations serve a social andeconomic function.7744

Government Participation:Although small in number, Hmong arenow found working in many local,state and federal government agen-cies. Most of them are civil servants,but a few are actively involved at local,state and federal government levels.For example, Lee Pao Xiong ofConcordia University Saint Paul has along list of community and govern-ment involvement since his early 20s.Now in his early 30s, he is the directorof Government Relations of ConcordiaUniversity Saint Paul, and the immedi-ate past president of Hmong NationalDevelopment. He was the executivedirector of the Council of Asian-PacificMinnesotans, representing more than40 groups of Asian-Pacific Americans.He is on the Board of Directors of morethan 10 organizations, ranging fromthe local chamber of commerce to thepowerful Metro Council. He is also oneof the 11 Asian American communityleaders invited to visit the White Houseand meet with President Bill Clinton inJune 1999.

Conclusion:The Hmong bring with them toAmerica a unique cultural and histori-cal experience that has no exact par-alleled with any other prior ethnicimmigrant group. They are not

white, do not come from a Judeo-Christian background, and did notcome to America as voluntary immi-grants. Moreover, they do not exactlyresemble the earlier Asian immigrantgroups to America either. They have along history of being a minority withinAsia, and brought their minority statusand experience with them.7766Throughout their long history, theyhave fought oppression and assimila-tion to survive as an ethnic group.7777They tend to use multiculturalapproaches rather than pure assimila-tion to adapt to their American envi-ronment. Paul and Elaine Lewis con-cluded their writing on the Hmong that“Hundreds of years of adversity havebred a spirit of independence; they[Hmong] value liberty and dignityabove all easy living. The independ-ence they seek, however, is not for theindividual, but for the kin group, andthe liberty they cherish is group liber-ty.”7788 Their age-old wisdom and spiritof independence have, in many ways,propelled the Hmong to survive theirfirst two decades in America, despitetheir many acculturation difficulties.The experience of the Hmong inAmerica is a story of a people whohave been through a trans-centennialchange; from the rural mountain vil-lages of Northern Laos to America —the most technologically developedcountry in the world. The Hmong,against all odds, have survived theirfirst two very challenging decades inAmerica. The Hmong have achievedmuch in America, but there are stillmany problems and barriers to over-come. This new millennium will be thereal test for the Hmong in America. Ifthey can manage to raise their veryyoung population to do well in school,they will certainly become active par-ticipants in American social, economicand political development. This task,is huge, and might be beyond the wis-dom of the Hmong to carry it out. Tobe able to successfully raise theiryoung, the Hmong may need to drawthe best from their age-old parentingand coping skills, and learn the bestfrom other immigrants in America. It isthe hope of many Hmong that, after allhardships and struggles, the Hmongin America will have a life more fulfill-ing in peace, prosperity, strengths,equality and democracy.


BiographyKou Yang is Associate Professor of Asian American Studies at CSU Stanislaus. He received his MSW in Social Work from CSU Fresno, andearned his Ed. D.from the Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership of CSU Fresno; and UC Davis.

Footnotes1 Kou Yang, The experience of the Hmong in Fresno. A paper presented at the Western Conference ofthe Association of Asian Studies in Boise, Idaho, September 17-18, 1999.2 To get a better Hmong perspective on their American experience, the author gathered informationfor the writing of this paper from key members of the Hmong American community, available litera-ture, the 5th Hmong National Conference and the author's own observation and research. The lattercame from his many roles and activities, including his summer 1999 tour of the Hmong in Minnesota,Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and California. He attended the 5th Hmong NationalConference, which was held in November 1999, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His observation is alsofrom his role as a former social worker and as a current member of the faculty of Ethnic Studies atCalifornia State University, Stanislaus.3 Yang Dao, Hmong: enduring traditions. Edited by Lewis, J. Rancho Cordova, CA: Southeast Asia Community Resource Center-Folsom Cordova Unified School District, 1992. 253.4 Robert Cooper, Nicholas Tapp, Gary Yia Lee, and Gretal Schwoer-Kohl. The Hmong. Bangkok,Thailand: Artasia Press, 1991. 8.5 Yang Dao, Les Hmong du Laos face au development. Vientiane, Laos: Siasavath Publishers, 1975.6 Kay Yi Yang, Hmong-Mongolian? Hmong Forum, January 1996.7 Nicholas Tapp, Sovereignty and rebellion of the Hmong of northern Thailand. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press, 1989.8 Yang Dao, Hmong at the turning point. Edited by Blake, J. L. Minneapolis: WorldBridge Associates,1993. XIV.9 Jean Mottin, History of the Hmong. Bangkok: Odeon Book Store, 1980. 16.10 Keith Quincy, Hmong: History of a people. Cheney, WA: Eastern Washington University Press,1989.11 Kay Yi Yang.12 Kou Yang, The Multifaceted Intervention Model in working with Hmong Families. MSW Thesis,California State University, Fresno.13 Rhoad Murphey, A history of Asia (2nd Ed.). New York: HarperCollins, 1996.14 Ronald Takaki, Strangers from a different shore. New York: Penguin Books, 1987.32.15 Keith Quincy.16 Jean Mottin, 47.17 Kou Yang, The Hmong in Fresno: a study of welfare participation and self-sufficiency. Ann Arbor, U.M.I Dissertation Services, 1995. 15.18 Yang Dao, Hmong at the turning point. 36.19 Ibid. 38.20 Roger Wagner, Backfire. 1995. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.21 Wilber Garrett, No place to run. National Geographic, 145(1), 78-111. 1974.22 Yang Dao, Hmong at the turning point.23 Ibid.24 Ibid, 39.25 Jean Mottin. 52. 26 Peter T. White, Laos. National Geographic, 176 (6), 1987. 772-795.27 Jacqui Chagnon and Roger Rumpf, Decades of Division for the Lao Hmong. Southeast AsiaChronicle, 91. 10-15.28 Bruce T. Bliatout, Bruce T. Downing, Judy Lewis and Yang Dao, Handbook for teaching Hmong -speaking students. Folsom Cordova, CA: Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Southeast AsiaCommunity Resource Center, 1988. 10-15.29 Jac Bulk, American Hmong on the move: Understanding Second. Ethnic Studies Review, 19, no1(February 1996) . 7-28. 30 Roy Calkins & D. A. Rios, Refugee leader fuels a futile dream. The Fresno Bee, 1989, July 23, A1.31 Hmong Population in the US, Hmong National Development, available from http://members.aol.com/hndlink/popcount.htm32 US Census Bureau, available from www.census.gov/apsd/wepeople.htm33 Ibid.34 Yang Dao, Hmong at the turning point. 22.35 Kou Yang, The Hmong in Fresno: a study of welfare participation and self-sufficiency. 26.36 Kou Yang, The Hmong in Fresno: a study of welfare participation and self-sufficiency. 37 Stevan Rosenlind, Welfare dependence drops among the Hmong in Fresno County. The FresnoBee, 1 January 1995, sec. A14.38 Kimberly Hayes Taylor, Better Jobs and Families Reunions draw thousands from Fresno to TwinCities. The Fresno Bee, 27 October 1998, sec. A1.39 Ibid.40 US Census Bureau, available from www.census.gov/apsd/wepeople.htm41 Wang Teng Yang, telephone interview by author, 16 January 1999.42 Nancy D. Donnelly, Changing life of refugee Hmong women. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1994. 19.43 Ronald Takaki, Strangers from a different shore. New York: Penguin Books, 1989.33.44 Ibid, 119.45 Evelyn Nakano Glenn and Stacy G. H. Yap, Chinese American families. Edited by Ronald L. Taylor.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998. 141.46 Harry L. Kitano and Roger Daniels, Asian Americans: emerging minorities (2nd Ed.). EnglewoodCliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998. 18.47 Ibid.48 Donald A. Ranard, The Hmong. In America 1, (January 1988).49 Spencer Sherman, Resettling the Hmong. Reporter, 8(4). 1985. 18-22.50 Harry L. Kitano and Roger Daniels, 2.51 Donald A. Ranard, he Hmong. In America 1, (January 1988).52 Kou Yang, The Hmong in Fresno: a study of welfare participation and self-sufficiency. 53 Lue N. Yang, personal communication, 1999, September 10.54 Kou Yang, Hmong men's adaptation to life in the United States. Hmong Studies Journal, spring1997. Available at www.como.stpaulk12.mn.us/Vue-Benson/HSJv1n2Yang.html55 Stephen Magagnini, Family left to wonder why: Killings derail a Hmong mother's search for happi-ness. Sacramento Bee, 1999, December 10.56 Margaret Taus, Minnesota mother, 24, in custody in strangling death of 6 children. The Fresno Bee,1998, September 5.57 Denice A. Rios, Discrimination lawsuit settled. The Fresno Bee, 1989, January 25. A1.58 Alex Pulaski, Hmong burials wearing on nerves in Tollhouse. The Fresno Bee, 1991, June 23. A1.59 Louis Galvan, Hmong chapel fire unresolved and may never be. The Fresno Bee, 1991, June 29. B1.60 Jeremy Hein, From Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Twayne Publishers, 1995. 110.61 Touxia Xaochay Thao, personal communication, 6 March 1999.

62 Alex Pulaski, Hmong girl allowed to go home. The Fresno Bee, 1994, October 10. A1.63 Jeremy Hein, 143. 64 Richard T. Schaefer, Racial and ethnic groups, 8th Edition. Prentice Hall, 2000. 343.65 Pablo Lopez, Husband found guilty in slaying of wife's lover. The Fresno Bee, 1998, September29. B3.66 The Fresno Bee. Leader in gang rapes sentenced to 86 years. The Fresno Bee, 1999, February 19.B1.67 Ashley Grant, Three boys arrested in girl's rape. The Associated Press, 1999, September 23.68 The Associated Press, Four teens escaped rapist captors. The Associated Press, 1999, October 11.69 Yang Dao, personal communication, 1999, July 23.70 McNall, Michael, T. Dunnigan, and J. T. Mortimer. The educational achievement of the St. PaulHmong. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 25(1); 44-65, 1994. 71 Jeremy Hein, 105.72 Min Zhou, Chinatown: The socioeconomic Potential of an Urban Enclave, Temple University Press,1992.73 Hmong National Development, Resource Development Guide. Hmong National Development,1995.74 Jeremy Hein, 95.75 Ronald Clark, "New Leader of Hmong partnership seeks more cooperation, less rivalry." Saint PaulPioneer Press, 7 Feb. 1993. A14.76 Keith Quincy.77 Kou Yang, The Hmong in Fresno: a study of welfare participation and self-sufficiency.78 Paul Lewis and Elaine Lewis, People of Golden Triangle. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1984.133.79 Kou Yang, From Indochina to Fresno: a brief look at the plight of the Indochinese in Fresno. Editedby Katsuyo Howard. Passage. Fresno, CA: California State University Press, 1990, xxv.

BibliographyBliatout, Bruce T., Bruce T. Downing, Judy Lewis, and Yang Dao. Handbook for teaching Hmong -speaking students. Folsom Cordova, CA: Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Southeast AsiaCommunity Resource Center, 1988.Bulk, Jac, Hmong on the move: Understanding Secondary Migration. Ethnic Studies Review, 19(1).(February 1996). 7-28. Cooper, Robert, Nicholas Tapp, Gary Yia Lee, and Gretel Schwoer-Kohl. The Hmong. Bangkok, Thailand: Artasia Press, 1991.Chagnon, Jacqui and Roger Rumpf. Decades of Division for the Lao Hmong. Southeast Asia Chronicle,October 1983. Donnelly, Nancy D. Changing life of refugee Hmong women. Seattle, WA: University of WashingtonPress, 1995.\Garrett, W.E. No place to run. National Geographic 145, no.1 (1974): 78-111.Glenn, Evelyn N. and Stacey Yap, Chinese American families. 2nd Ed. Edited by Ronald L. Taylor. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998.Grant, Ashley, Three boys arrested in girl's rape. The Associated Press, 1999, September 23. Hein, Jeremy, From Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1995.Hmong National Development [cited 4 January 1999]. Available from http//members.aol.cpm./hndlink/popcount.htmKitano, Harry L. and Roger Daniels, Asian Americans: emerging minorities. 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998. Lewis, Paul and Elaine Lewis, People of the golden triangle. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1984.McNall, Michael, Dunnigan, T. and J. T. Mortimer, J. T. (1994). The educational achievement of the St. Paul Hmong. Anthropology & Education Quarterly 25, no.1 (1994): 44-65.Mottin, Jean, History of the Hmong. Bangkok: Odeon Book Store, 1980.Murphey, Rhoad, A history of Asia (2nd Ed.). New York: HarperCollins, 1996. Quincy, Keith, Hmong: History of a people. Cheney, WA: Eastern Washington University, 1988.Ranard, Donald A. The Hmong. In America,1. (988).Schaefer, Richard T. (2000), Racial and Ethnic Groups. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Sherman, Spencer, (1985), Resettling the Hmong. Reporter 8, no. 4 (1985): 18-22Takaki, Ronald, Strangers from a different shore. New York: Penguin Books, 1989.Tapp, Nicholas, Sovereignty and rebellion of the Hmong of northern Thailand. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press, 1989.U.S. Census Bureau (1990). We the Americans: Asians [cited 4 January 1999]. Available from:www.census.gov.apsd/wepeople.htmWhite, Peter T. Laos. National Geographic 176, no. 6 (1987): 772-795.Yang, D. & North, D. (1988, November). Profile of the highland Lao communities in the United States.Washington, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family SupportAdministration, Office of Refugee Resettlement. Contract # DHHS/PHS 282-87-1012.Yang Dao. Les Hmong du Laos face au development. Vientiane, Laos:Siasavath Publishers, 1975._ _ _ The Hmong: enduring traditions. Edited by Judy Lewis. Rancho Cordova, CA: SoutheastAsia Community Resource Center-Folsom Cordova Unified School District, 1992._ _ _ Hmong at the turning point. Edited by Jean L. Blake. Minneapolis: WorldBridge Associates, 1993.Yang, Kou, From Indochina to Fresno: a brief look at the plight of the Indochinese in Fresno. Edited by Katsuyo Howard. Fresno, CA: California State University, 1990. _ _ _ The Multifaceted Intervention Model in working with Hmong families. MSW Thesis. California State University, Fresno, 1991._ _ _ The Hmong in Fresno: a study of welfare participation and self-sufficiency. Ann Arbor,U.M.I. Dissertation Services, 1995._ _ _ Hmong men's adaptation to life in the United States. Hmong Studies Journal, Spring 1997. Available at www.como.stpaulk12.mn.us/Vue-Benson/HSJv1n2Yang.htmlZhou, Min, Chinatown: The Socioeconomic Potential of an Urban Enclave. Philadelphia: TempleUniversity Press, 1992.


January 2003

Dear community supporter(s),

This letter is on behalf of the Editorial Staff of Hmong Movement (HM)and the Hmong Student Inter-Collegiate Coalition (HSIC) to request if youare interested in supporting HM by sponsorship of donation or advertise-ment in HM.

With your assistance, the funding will enable HSIC to publish and dis-tribute Hmong Movement to the community. HM is a free quarterly pub-lication for individuals to share and exchange experiences through fic-tional or non-fictional writing and/or poetry, where socio-cultural, politi-cal, and educational issues can be discussed. The publication promotesand engages students to compose literature relating to important civicand community issues.

The media often focuses on negative aspects such as youth gangs,domestic violence, murder suicides, and welfare dependency which shapenegative stereotypes of the community. HM's objective is to serves as apositive media resource to develop, display, and recognize the talentsand creativity of the students and community. HM seek to accomplish amore objective media representation of the community and dismantlenegative stereotypes.

During the past year, Hmong American college students throughoutCalifornia have diligently worked to establish the Hmong Student Inter-Collegiate Coalition (HSIC). As a strong networking system, HSIC hascome together to increase awareness of imperative issues concerning theHmong American community. These issues include acculturation experi-ences, generation gap, racial concerns, higher education, and the path ofHmong people in their new settlement as Hmong Americans.

HSIC is a statewide network consisting of student organizations, andincludes community members and professionals in an advisory capacity.All events such as meetings, outreach, workshops, trainings, or confer-ences are organized and executed by students. HSIC is an organizationfounded by college students and managed and run by college students. HSIC collectively promotes higher education, mentorship programs, civicparticipation, and community empowerment to achieve the fullest poten-tial of Hmong Americans. Currently, there are more than 25 campusesinvolved in HSIC and continuing to grow. Additionally, HSIC is in theprocess of incorporating as a non-profit organization.

Hmong American students sit at the forefront of our community'scritical issues and have the potential to overcome them by serving as acatalyst for social change and responsibility. We hope that you will con-tinue to help foster the goals and visions of the Hmong American com-munity as the next generation steps forward with a people that havelong-survived displacement and disempowerment. Thank you for yoursupport.

Sincerely, Editorial Staff

Hmong Movementc/o Hmong Student Inter-Collegiate Coalition (HSIC)Hmong Student Association of San Diego Mailbox #G-10University of California, San Diego9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92092-0077

Supporters

Fiscal Sponsor

Attnn: Pakou VanngHmong Women HeritageAssociation 2251 Frorin Road Suite 104Sacramento, CA 95822

Individual/ Organization Sponsors

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Community Sponsors

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Golee Lor, Chico, CACSU Chico, Senior

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The Hmong Student Inter-Collegiate Coalition wouldlike to thank you for yourpast and your continuingsupport. We sincerely hopethat we can work together inthe future.


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Hmong Movement 04 Winter 2003

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