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The People of Minnesota
Hmong in Minnesota
An engaging history of the arrival of the Hmong in Minnesota in the 1970s, their struggle to build community in a new land, and the challenges they face today.
From bountiful booths at local farmers' markets to vibrant New Year celebrations to summer sports tournaments, the Hmong have enhanced the state's rich cultural tapestry. In this volume, Chia Youyee Vang reveals the colorful, intricate history of Hmong Minnesotans, many of whom were forced to flee their homeland of Laos when the communists seized power during the Vietnam War. Having assisted US troops in the "Secret War," Hmong soldiers and civilians were eligible to settle in the United States. Vang offers a unique window into the lives of the Minnesota Hmong through the stories of individuals who represent the experiences of many. One voice is that of Mao Heu Thao, one of the first refugees to come to Minnesota, sponsored by Catholic Charities in 1976. She tells of the unexpectedly cold weather, the strange food, and the kindness of her hosts. By introducing readers to the immigrants themselves, Hmong in Minnesota conveys a population’s struggle to adjust to new environments, build communities, maintain cultural practices, and make its mark on government policies and programs.
From bountiful booths at local farmers' markets to vibrant New Year celebrations to summer sports tournaments, the Hmong have enhanced the state's rich cultural tapestry. In this volume, Chia Youyee Vang reveals the colorful, intricate history of Hmong Minnesotans, many of whom were forced to flee their homeland of Laos when the communists seized power during the Vietnam War. Having assisted US troops in the "Secret War," Hmong soldiers and civilians were eligible to settle in the United States. Vang offers a unique window into the lives of the Minnesota Hmong through the stories of individuals who represent the experiences of many. One voice is that of Mao Heu Thao, one of the first refugees to come to Minnesota, sponsored by Catholic Charities in 1976. She tells of the unexpectedly cold weather, the strange food, and the kindness of her hosts. By introducing readers to the immigrants themselves, Hmong in Minnesota conveys a population’s struggle to adjust to new environments, build communities, maintain cultural practices, and make its mark on government policies and programs.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2008
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68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 14, 2011
The book details the conflict in Laos during the Vietnam War and how Hmong troops assisted the US with secret missions. Later, it discusses how Catholic Charities sponsored the first Hmong immigrants in Minnesota, and ends by giving details about different aspects of Hmong culture. Included are several personal accounts from Hmong immigrants and community leaders. I chose this book because I knew nothing about Hmong culture, and the book was very interesting and informative.
I found the personal accounts of immigration from refugee camps to Minnesota the most interesting. Though I work with refugees and immigrants every day, it isn’t something that they talk about. There was so much culture shock for refugees – so much unknown about where they were going. Many discussed how they were given everything material that they needed, but were afraid to leave the house because they didn’t speak English. As I have never lived or studied abroad, I can’t imagine how this would feel.
Though ELL classes and vocational school was provided to the immigrants, many Hmong immigrants found it difficult to complete their education. Compared to other Asian-Americans, they remain at the bottom of the educational attainment ladder. In 2000, 53% of Asian-born Hmong immigrants in Minnesota had completed no schooling, but the rate of high school graduation was up to 24% and 9% had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. (American-born Hmong children have fewer problems – as of 2006, the graduation rate in Minneapolis/St. Paul for Hmong children was 83%, the same as for white children.)
The section on culture discusses how many things have changed as Hmong immigrants become assimilated into American culture. For example, in past generations, women did not work outside the home. Today, more and more women are working outside of the home or pursuing higher education. Many educated Hmong American women are choosing to stay single into their thirties and are living alone, rather than in their parents’ homes. Men are now more active in raising their children. Also, as the younger Hmong population learns and speaks English, it has widened both the generation and the achievement gaps between young and old. The immigrant generation lacks the ability to communicate effectively and secure employment is often seen as a lack of commitment to becoming American citizens, even though a high percentage of the older population has become naturalized citizens. The immigrant population, in turn, feels that the younger generations are abandoning or trying to change the Hmong culture.
Over the last thirty years, Hmong Americans have become more and more successful in Minnesota and throughout the United States in education, politics, and business. With community support and continued efforts, the Hmong population will thrive and bring increased influence and cultural vibrancy to their ethnic community and that of Minnesota more broadly.
I found the personal accounts of immigration from refugee camps to Minnesota the most interesting. Though I work with refugees and immigrants every day, it isn’t something that they talk about. There was so much culture shock for refugees – so much unknown about where they were going. Many discussed how they were given everything material that they needed, but were afraid to leave the house because they didn’t speak English. As I have never lived or studied abroad, I can’t imagine how this would feel.
Though ELL classes and vocational school was provided to the immigrants, many Hmong immigrants found it difficult to complete their education. Compared to other Asian-Americans, they remain at the bottom of the educational attainment ladder. In 2000, 53% of Asian-born Hmong immigrants in Minnesota had completed no schooling, but the rate of high school graduation was up to 24% and 9% had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. (American-born Hmong children have fewer problems – as of 2006, the graduation rate in Minneapolis/St. Paul for Hmong children was 83%, the same as for white children.)
The section on culture discusses how many things have changed as Hmong immigrants become assimilated into American culture. For example, in past generations, women did not work outside the home. Today, more and more women are working outside of the home or pursuing higher education. Many educated Hmong American women are choosing to stay single into their thirties and are living alone, rather than in their parents’ homes. Men are now more active in raising their children. Also, as the younger Hmong population learns and speaks English, it has widened both the generation and the achievement gaps between young and old. The immigrant generation lacks the ability to communicate effectively and secure employment is often seen as a lack of commitment to becoming American citizens, even though a high percentage of the older population has become naturalized citizens. The immigrant population, in turn, feels that the younger generations are abandoning or trying to change the Hmong culture.
Over the last thirty years, Hmong Americans have become more and more successful in Minnesota and throughout the United States in education, politics, and business. With community support and continued efforts, the Hmong population will thrive and bring increased influence and cultural vibrancy to their ethnic community and that of Minnesota more broadly.
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June 17, 2020Last month I read the novel 'Hey Hmong Girl, Whassup?', so this month I decided to read Chia Youyee Vang's 'Hmong in Minnesota' as a non-fiction book on a similar theme. Yang is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee who immigrated to the US from Laos, and her book is an insightful guide to the Minnesota Hmong community and their life experiences. It gives a brief history and also allows Hmong people to tell their own stories and explain aspects of their culture that others often don't know about, such as shamanism, rituals around death and the Hmong New Year. It also deals with the racism and misunderstanding that many Hmong have faced when trying to navigate a sometimes ignorant and prejudiced cultural landscape in the United States.
I thought this book was very relevant to my CTEP service, because I interact with Hmong co-workers and clients every day, and I really wanted to understand more about them and their cultural traditions. I have a number of Hmong students in my Computers and Literacy classes and I wanted to make sure I was not missing anything that could make their learning experienced more effective.
I would recommend Vang's book to all AmeriCorps members in the Twin Cities, since the Hmong are one of the largest groups of new Americans in Minnesota, and it is unlikely that any of us will complete our service without interacting with any Hmong people. It highlights the achievements of the Hmong community in Minnesota, not just the challenges they have faced, but it also is honest and realistic when it mentions social problems that exist in the Hmong community, such as gang and family violence. The book is extremely readable, never dull or dry, and can easily be finished in a weekend.
I thought this book was very relevant to my CTEP service, because I interact with Hmong co-workers and clients every day, and I really wanted to understand more about them and their cultural traditions. I have a number of Hmong students in my Computers and Literacy classes and I wanted to make sure I was not missing anything that could make their learning experienced more effective.
I would recommend Vang's book to all AmeriCorps members in the Twin Cities, since the Hmong are one of the largest groups of new Americans in Minnesota, and it is unlikely that any of us will complete our service without interacting with any Hmong people. It highlights the achievements of the Hmong community in Minnesota, not just the challenges they have faced, but it also is honest and realistic when it mentions social problems that exist in the Hmong community, such as gang and family violence. The book is extremely readable, never dull or dry, and can easily be finished in a weekend.
October 1, 2023
Informative
February 28, 2016
“History does not cease moving at the exact moment we begin to occupy it comfortably.” – Bill Holm
Hmong in Minnesota is part of a series published by the Minnesota Historical Society called “People of Minnesota.” It is a 100-page essay about the history and settlement of Hmong immigrants, the traditions and cultures of Hmong people in Minnesota, and what it is like to be Hmong in Minnesota. It was a very quick read, and thus pretty limited in information. However, I still learned quite a lot in a short amount of time and it was a very good primer for further reading. If you’re going to be delving into creative Hmong literature without any background history, I would recommend reading it before your literature reading. If you’re just interested in Hmong history or culture you can read this in one or two sittings to give you a baseline of knowledge before you delve deeper into the details.
I highly recommend this book. If you’ve been alive in the last 45 years, there is important culture and history in the pages of this book that has been greatly overlooked by our textbooks, arts scenes, and media. We could all stand to put a little bit more effort into learning a few things about our neighbors.
http://www.literaryquicksand.com/2016...
Hmong in Minnesota is part of a series published by the Minnesota Historical Society called “People of Minnesota.” It is a 100-page essay about the history and settlement of Hmong immigrants, the traditions and cultures of Hmong people in Minnesota, and what it is like to be Hmong in Minnesota. It was a very quick read, and thus pretty limited in information. However, I still learned quite a lot in a short amount of time and it was a very good primer for further reading. If you’re going to be delving into creative Hmong literature without any background history, I would recommend reading it before your literature reading. If you’re just interested in Hmong history or culture you can read this in one or two sittings to give you a baseline of knowledge before you delve deeper into the details.
I highly recommend this book. If you’ve been alive in the last 45 years, there is important culture and history in the pages of this book that has been greatly overlooked by our textbooks, arts scenes, and media. We could all stand to put a little bit more effort into learning a few things about our neighbors.
http://www.literaryquicksand.com/2016...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews