Hmong and American: Negotiating Identity, Community, and Culture

Copyright

©2012 by the Minnesota Historical Society. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, write to the Minnesota Historical Society Press, 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, MN 55102-1906. www.mhspress.org The Minnesota Historical Society Press is a member of the Association of American University Presses. Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48–1984. International Standard Book Number ISBN: 978-0-87351-848-2 (paper) ISBN: 978-0-87351-855-0 (e-book) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hmong and American : from refugees to citizens / edited by Vincent K. Her and Mary Louise Buley-Meissner. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-87351-848-2 (paper : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-87351-855-0 (e-book) 1. Hmong Americans—Ethnic identity. 2. Hmong Americans—Social conditions. 3. Hmong Americans—Social life and customs. 4. Community life— United States. 5. United States—Ethnic relations. I. Her, Vincent K. II. Buley-Meissner, Mary Louise. E184.H55H555 2012 305.895'972073—dc23 2011048666 The text of this book is set in Arno Pro, a typeface designed by Robert Slimbach in 2007. Book design by Wendy Holdman. Tsheej ib cuab vim muaj yawm qhuab. Tsheej ib yig vim muaj puj plig. A household is stable because of a grandfather’s teachings. A family thrives because of a grandmother’s patience. vi ...