Vang Pao

Applying Michael Billig’s theory of banal nationalism to Schein’s study, can be interpreted as a constant symbol of the homeland. Though not the original homeland, the landscape from Laos becomes a constant reminder of a homeland for many first generation Hmong Americans who came here as refugees. The prevalence of these serene images of nature in turn become a reminder of what it means to be Hmong; being able to live the way a person wishes without fear of prosecution or obstruction. In a way, these mountains and jungles have become a symbolic refuge for the Hmong where they could live in peace. Although home videos are not meant to be watch as regularly as videos produced by agencies, the images and symbols depicted here serve another significant method for reproducing Hmong nationalism. In the study conducted by Koltyk, home videos become a tool of recording history. The very action of recording is a symbol of particular sentiments centered around the fear of losing one’s self. Many people record activities and events as a means to preserve something precious. In a way, these videos represent the Hmong’s unwillingness to disappear. This will to preserve what it means to live like a Hmong person is what allows for home videos to reproduce nationalism. Though these may be a great example of how the older generation reproduce nationalism, these scenes might not hold much significance for the second generation of Hmong Americans who were born here in the United States. For…

The Hmong population continued to grow at a slower steady rate all the way through 2010 with some estimates between 230,000 and 300,000. During the period 1975 to 1991 the Hmong were introduced to the American Welfare System and they relied heavily on government assistance. Most of the Hmong found it hard to find employment because of the lack of education and language barriers. New government programs were developed to ease the burden on the welfare program and promote self-reliance. One of…

Julie Thao HSER 395-02 Personal Cultural Analysis February 19th, 2015 My primary ethnic heritage is Asian more specifically stripe, white Hmong. I interviewed my mother Yia Vang and my father Moua Thao about our family history and the origin of the ethnic Hmong. I have been informed that I look a lot like my mother from my sisters and friends tell me that I look different from my siblings. My ancestors originated from Northern China where they lived off the land alongside the Yellow River prior…

When I got to Lao Family building, my sister went to get us a chair so we can sit and put our stuff down. The room that they were practicing has no chairs but a small stage and a few small storage room for chairs and a table in the corner. If there wasn’t a stage, it would feel like a small empty gym. The stage has a huge picture of our Hmong president General Vang Pao hanging on the wall. There’s two huge door that leads you to a hallway with windows where you can see University street and…

was the Laotian Civil War (Leary, 2008). This was a war that changed the way of living for many Hmong civilians, including my grandmother and my parents. Consequently, the breakage of this war preceded my grandmother, my mother, and my father to flee their home country into the United States labeling themselves as immigrants. Immigrating into the United States was a choice did to escape the reality that their home country was no more a safe heaven. It was a heartbreaking moment for my…