Hmong Americans in Michigan

Some Afterthoughts

69 SomeAfterthoughts H mong Americans in Michigan is merely an initial, very brief introduction to the Hmong Americans in Michigan, a backdrop or launch pad for others to explore the history of these people and to conduct future research so that others may learn more about these strong, brave, innovative people. While I interviewed a dozen or more refugees, more than five thousand Michigan residents of Hmong descent live in the state. Each has a story to tell to complement and supplement their people’s history in Laos and Thailand and their journey, adaptation, and contributions to Michigan. The Hmong people have made major transitions and adjustments throughout their lives. They have adapted to a new climate, geography, ethnic groups, jobs, and education. However, what makes the people of Hmong descent so special is not only that they have jumped major life hurdles to adapt to their new lives, but they have also cultivated amazing attitudes and spirits that are so beautiful—warm and inspirational—and that help them transcend their difficult journeys. As Christine Xiong’s mother Lian told us earlier, “We started from nothing . We’re newborns coming to the United States. We work very hard. . . . My goal, after speaking English and reading the newspaper, I was determined to keep my children going to school. If my luck, I hope all my children have the education.” 70 Martha Aladjem B loomfield As a people, they now have new skills that they never had, as they have not only a spoken voice but a written language to tell their stories and history. It is important now for them and others to tell their story—their recent and ancient history, their culture, their hard work, their thoughts, their ideas, their patriotism, and their commitment and contributions to life in the United States and specifically here in Michigan. In this way, more people will become familiar with the Hmong and learn about these brave people. The young Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang beautifully summarizes the essence of the Hmong character and spirit. I tell myself: the sun rises so we can do better at what we tried to do the day before. There is no real picture of perfection in doing productive work. Each project, each assignment, each page, each word we write or speak is always only a portrait of us in time in relation to another or many others. Because the sun rises, we receive one more chance to fight to be more effective in the world. The Hmong have words to offer in writing that will stand the test of time, creatively and productively crossing gender, cultural, and linguistic lines of belonging. I repeat to myself: we can always be only the best of ourselves. If we try and fail, we still live in the same world that created Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, Ronald Takaki and Youa Lee: we try and we fail among those whose lives validate and confirm the power of trying. When we try, the world becomes the best of what we can be as a people.142 ...