Personal Narrative: Hmong Culture

I would be considered a white Caucasian female with ancestors from Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. I’m a middle aged wife and mother of three who grow up in a middle class, blue collar family in a community of 3,000 people. Most of which, including myself practice the catholic faith. There was not a lot of diversity in this small community in southern Minnesota. My classmates had similar back grounds and were raise in the same manner as me. In school and through television I learned about different cultures making me aware of my own culture. I really didn’t have any interactions with other cultures until I was an adult. In the mid-70s there became a strong presents of Hmong’s in the neighboring community. This has allowed me to interact with members of this culture. My husband and I raise and sell processed chickens at a farmers market. This is where we met several Hmong families selling produce and became acquainted with them. At work I have also treated several people of the Hmong culture and my husband’s co-worker and friend is Hmong. I’m fascinated with their beliefs and enjoy learning about their culture. Learning the differences in our beliefs has further made me aware of cultural differences. There are also several Amish and Mennonites communities in the area as well, but I haven’t had a chance to interaction …show more content…
It was a brother of one of their friends. I really had no idea what was happening before we got there. My mom stayed by my side and explained everything that was going on and why. At first I was horrified that there was a dead person in the casket. Mom explained to me that the family and friends were gathering to say good bye to the deceased and support each other before the burial the next day. Some people were crying and others smiling and reminiscing about memories of the deceased. It all seemed very strange to me at first, but calming once I realized what was going