Are you proud to be Hmong?

I was just wondering that if you're hmong, what are your dislikes and likes about the Hmong community? Have you ever hated that you were hmong? If you were born again would you want to be a hmong person again? What do you think we "teens, kids, or adults" now can do to improve the hmong community?
 

cecilia

Staff member
I'm proud to be Hmong - I love my culture and I love my people.

What need to be improve:

1. We need to rewrite our history and get the facts straight
2. We need to improve our pronouciation and language barrier (well defined terminology - dictionary wise)
3. We need to support each other on leadership skill through strength and knowledge rather than by clan


These are the three things I'd like to see improve <3
 

p. Zoua

sarNie Oldmaid
well, there are ups and down about this culture but if you think about it, most cultures are like that.
I mean sometimes they do things (such as copy songs off from other cultures and make it into their own, or not knowing how to help out one another at times) that makes me feel like we're stupid, but I'm still proud to be Hmong. Thinking about it, being Hmong isn't as bad as being in other more strict races.

The one main thing I hate about the Hmong culture though is how women are treated. Besides that I am proud to be Hmong.
 

Asy

sarNie Immature
I'm not a Hmong, but I'm very interested with this topic. I hope you guys don't mind that I reply to this topic. ^_____^

Well, we should be proud, very proud of our own race, don't you think so? Even if you're an aborigine, you should be proud of yourself.


And as an Asian, South-East Asian people, I'm glad to know more about my neighbors country culture. I don't have any other Hmong friends aside from this AF, so, yes, I'm so agree with Cecilia about her three things especially about rewriting the history and get the facts (maybe because I love history lmao). I'd be so glad if more and more people know about 'our' story. In fact me myself know like nothing about Hmong people lol.



By the way, how did the Hmong people treat the women? What is so wrong about it? Can you guys share with me? :)
 

cecilia

Staff member
I don't like that men are always right and that women has no say to it (but i think this is widespread and use by almost all Asian men, not just Hmong)
 

kialakornlover

sarNie Adult
Somewhat yes I proud and just some things that makes me unproud.
First of all, Hmong girls are getting married at a young age. That really makes me embarrassed. Second of all, Hmong girls don't go for Hmong guys(hahaha, who am I kidding. That's me!) Last, Hmong girls are having kids at such a young age. I know there's alot of other race who does it too. But Hmong people do it alot.
I am proud to be Hmong because we are TRAVELERS! The only reason why we don't have a country is because we Hmong people are travelers! We don't stay in one place. Second, we are unique. Third, our language is awesome. Many people I know wants to learn Hmong But I am somewhat proud.
 

neena

sarNie Adult
i am very proud to be hmong. it doesn't just apply to the hmong race, i am sure every ethnic group in this world is proud of who they are and where their ancestry came from. i am most interested in my shaman religion which i find really fascinating. even though i was born here, it feels nice to know we have a very intriguing cosmology. I like that the most. I've had to sit through funerals just to understand it more. i love that we still have these traditions and rituals, its a part of the hmong identity.

Dislikes...polygamy...rivalry between clans...myths and legends about certain clans that prohibits them to do certain things.

what can we do to improve in the future? definately, i don't want our language to disappear, i know i stink at speaking it at times, i can't even read or write. so i would have to start with myself first but yes, our language is very important. just keeping the tradition alive, this is enough. i think now a days, the younger generation is helping each other more then the older generation because we think like westerners. Teamwork is something the younger generation knows because we were taught that at an early age compared to the older generation where they focused on their clan rather then the whole society. the younger generation is the future, they are the future but can they keep the tradition? if we can balance the two we will be saved.
 

neena

sarNie Adult
The one main thing I hate about the Hmong culture though is how women are treated. Besides that I am proud to be Hmong.
i have known hmong women to say they are limited to certain things (ex. school)...but honestly you are only limited if you actually limit yourself...so if you are being treated badly its because you aren't speaking out to protect yourself so you are treated badly. i think since coming to the u.s. hmong women have become more outspoken, compared to the men, we out number them in attending college. i think if we are treated badly its because we don't pay attention to the men who want us but can't get us because hmong women are putting their stakes higher, who wouldn't though, its how people survive in this world now, if you can't catch up, you can't come along. :))
 

population1

sarNie Egg
if I can be reborn again, I'd be a stronger man than I am now. mind over matter, I just want to be another Asian Man to finsih what I started in this life time.
 

Mistspyed

sarNie Egg
I don't like how women are treated in any traditional society. I know that in Indian culture and hmong culture the women always eat last, even though they are the cooks. I hate it how hmong women are looked as an item. Whenever we have big rituals/dinner, you see the women working so hard, and the men are just there chating, they don't even ask if the women need help. I know they also have their own chores, but it would be great to give the women a helping hand when they're not doing anything. The work are segregate, "that's a woman's job." There's still a saying in hmong "women know nothing." Despite everything, the treatment has gotten better. Women no longer eat last, they eat at the same time but just at different table. I am very disappointed saying this, but I'm not quite sure if I'm proud to be Hmong. I know that every culture has it's up and downs. But Hmong people hasn't created anything or done anything extordinary yet. How has the culture made a difference in the world or what has the culture contributed to the world? I know a lot of people are going to hate me for saying this. I must be really stupid, because I am really clueless. I don't know how I would anwser this if someone where to ask me this. I find myself asking, do they need to do something extordinary or created something good inorder for people to be proud of them? I genuinely like our culture and have a deep appreciation for it; from the weddings to the funerals. But proud? I'm not sure. Probably, I'm just too dumb to see it. I hope someone can convince me.
 

p. Zoua

sarNie Oldmaid
i have known hmong women to say they are limited to certain things (ex. school)...but honestly you are only limited if you actually limit yourself...so if you are being treated badly its because you aren't speaking out to protect yourself so you are treated badly. i think since coming to the u.s. hmong women have become more outspoken, compared to the men, we out number them in attending college. i think if we are treated badly its because we don't pay attention to the men who want us but can't get us because hmong women are putting their stakes higher, who wouldn't though, its how people survive in this world now, if you can't catch up, you can't come along. :))
I just meant in general and in tradition, but yes I'd agree that now they are outspoken and getting treated better in the US. Also at times I think the culture limits us but I think depending on where we are, it is only us that limit ourselves. Being in the US is different from being elsewhere too.

And by god, the College gap between Hmong Men and Women, it's just....so....BLEGH....what will become of the Hmong women and the race?
 

cecilia

Staff member
what will happen to Hmong women and their race? well -- it's hard to say .. i think for me, it's all about financial security and happiness. If i find happiness in whichever race then i'll stick with that. Nowadays, financial security and the well being of one self is more important than going with the 'norms'. Don't get me wrong, i have nothing against Hmong guy but i do not want to tie my hand and feet to a man who doesn't work, eats off me, or in control. I'm all about compromising -- if he's able to do this with me then life is all good. I suppose I could say that it doesn't matter to me as what race they are as long as they're able to work out with the whole 50/50 deal with me.
 

population1

sarNie Egg
What need to be improve:

1. We need to rewrite our history and get the facts straight
2. We need to improve our pronouciation and language barrier (well defined terminology - dictionary wise)
3. We need to support each other on leadership skill through strength and knowledge rather than by clan
that's what a handful of ethnic Hmong historians or otherwise unbiased, credible historians are working and have been. to put the big picture together, it will take more than your lifetime. it will go on for generations, that is if/when the knowledge is passed down, and it keeps the histoirians in this career field going. at the same time, revisions are made in historical political correctness, language, culture, tradition, etc. the main thing are the appropriate resources and sources to acquire.

Well, we should be proud, very proud of our own race, don't you think so? Even if you're an aborigine, you should be proud of yourself.

And as an Asian, South-East Asian people, I'm glad to know more about my neighbors country culture. I don't have any other Hmong friends aside from this AF, so, yes, I'm so agree with Cecilia about her three things especially about rewriting the history and get the facts (maybe because I love history lmao). I'd be so glad if more and more people know about 'our' story. In fact me myself know like nothing about Hmong people lol.



By the way, how did the Hmong people treat the women? What is so wrong about it? Can you guys share with me? :)

we are one race, Asian. but, have a richness or variety of ethnicity which we should appreciate. SEA's are from the same area of the food chain. BTW, Hmong ppl treat the women just like many other EA/SEA do since there are many shared values.

I don't like that men are always right and that women has no say to it (but i think this is widespread and use by almost all Asian men, not just Hmong)
yep, men are not always right. they think they do just as much as women do the same.

Somewhat yes I proud and just some things that makes me unproud.
First of all, Hmong girls are getting married at a young age. That really makes me embarrassed. Second of all, Hmong girls don't go for Hmong guys(hahaha, who am I kidding. That's me!) Last, Hmong girls are having kids at such a young age. I know there's alot of other race who does it too. But Hmong people do it alot.
I am proud to be Hmong because we are TRAVELERS! The only reason why we don't have a country is because we Hmong people are travelers! We don't stay in one place. Second, we are unique. Third, our language is awesome. Many people I know wants to learn Hmong But I am somewhat proud.
firstly, marriage at a young age is dated back how long ago? not only that, it teaches or ready the girls to be young women able to cope with the hardships or demands and responsiblity needed at a young age for the circumstances in living conditions then. secondly, not all Hmong girls go for Hmong guys, but not all Hmong girls do not go for Hmong guys. this attitude of yours is venomous to yourself and to your people. you are not kidding anyone, and you are only showing how much of a kid you are, well, at least you seem to be able to find a mirror. last, but not the last, Hmong are having kids at a young age because it coincides with my first point. in the U.S., it's a workaround. ;)

originally, Hmong were not travelers/nomads by your description. we had travlers, yes. but, travlers in trade and commerce or business or scouting or the like. consequently, Hmong became nomadic or strictly tavelers and opportunists during the warring era, just like other nomadic tribes of eastern Asia who wanted to rule all of Asia, overthrow ruling states, and unify Asia as one which resulted in what is now China.

I don't like how women are treated in any traditional society. I know that in Indian culture and hmong culture the women always eat last, even though they are the cooks. I hate it how hmong women are looked as an item. Whenever we have big rituals/dinner, you see the women working so hard, and the men are just there chating, they don't even ask if the women need help. I know they also have their own chores, but it would be great to give the women a helping hand when they're not doing anything. The work are segregate, "that's a woman's job." There's still a saying in hmong "women know nothing." Despite everything, the treatment has gotten better. Women no longer eat last, they eat at the same time but just at different table. I am very disappointed saying this, but I'm not quite sure if I'm proud to be Hmong. I know that every culture has it's up and downs. But Hmong people hasn't created anything or done anything extordinary yet. How has the culture made a difference in the world or what has the culture contributed to the world? I know a lot of people are going to hate me for saying this. I must be really stupid, because I am really clueless. I don't know how I would anwser this if someone where to ask me this. I find myself asking, do they need to do something extordinary or created something good inorder for people to be proud of them? I genuinely like our culture and have a deep appreciation for it; from the weddings to the funerals. But proud? I'm not sure. Probably, I'm just too dumb to see it. I hope someone can convince me.
idk what you mean, but Hmong is actually made up of a matriarchal society for the most part. ex: in a party setting, like a wedding ceremony, men eat first because we have to take in alcohol. and, the food is the same no matter who eats first or last (just make sure there's enough to go around). look, do the women really want to do the men's part and take part in "political" advocacy as well as male roles in negotiating or otherwise? can the women handle it?

And by god, the College gap between Hmong Men and Women, it's just....so....BLEGH....what will become of the Hmong women and the race?
it's not a matter of college gap, it's a matter of placement.
 

Kiachue1

FF Writer!! Love it!
Being hmong im proud of it but wat makes me mad is just how the hmong cultural is slowly disappearing. I know people have their reasons but if we do tat wouldn't the hmong races tradition disappeared. Second of all is hmong teens up to 15 or up are getting married already and end up breaking up. It makes me embarrassed to see us hmong fail being successful and we should be showing tat we didn't just come to a land were we aren't being hunted down. We should show tat we can be successful!!
 

pangiaxiong

sarNie Adult
Of course I'm proud to be Hmong. Have I ever hated being a Hmong...YES! I'm sure most Hmong people have this thought once or more in their lifetime and for different reasons. When I was young and not very wise, I always wonder why I'm Hmong. I guess it's because a lot of people in my school doesn't have a clue or what is Hmong and at the age of 7 or 8, with not much knowledge of what I am, it's frustrate me a lot to the point where I hate my culture.

As time goes by, I became wiser and learned more about what Hmong is and where they come from...though I don't know if all of these information are true. There are really nothing to back it up so I went along with what I got. Like Cecilia said "We need to rewrite our history and get the facts straight".

But yeah, that was the only time I hate being a Hmong and I do regret that but with no info on your culture or who you are, I say it's understandable.
Things that I like to see improve...well most of you girls already said it. I think that every cultures have the same problems, not just us Hmong people..so if we're gonna fix our community, I think it's gonna be a lot harder.
One things that Cecilia mention caught my attention. We shouldn't separate by clans...we're all Hmong right?! I just hate the fact that if a yang/xiong/vang/thao/lor/hang etc person is super smart and have a great job, every other clans would bash him/her for no reason. We need to stop being jealous of each other b.c we don't even have country to call ours, and yet we're not helping each other. Every clans always competing against each other and ruining each other life over some BS. Like seriously, get real people...why the heck are we having a civil war with each other while the thing we really need to do is catch up with other cultures! Shouldn't we be glad that someone in our community is smart and have the strength to go that far?! What we need to do is praise them, look up to them and hope that they'll bring goods to our community, not bash them every second!
So YES, I'm proud to be Hmong, YES, I once hated myself for being a Hmong, YES, we need to improve a lot of things in our community, and Yes, it's not gonna be easy but if we can work together...I'm sure we'll get there somehow :D
 
Of course I'm proud to be Hmong. Have I ever hated being a Hmong...YES! I'm sure most Hmong people have this thought once or more in their lifetime and for different reasons. When I was young and not very wise, I always wonder why I'm Hmong. I guess it's because a lot of people in my school doesn't have a clue or what is Hmong and at the age of 7 or 8, with not much knowledge of what I am, it's frustrate me a lot to the point where I hate my culture.

As time goes by, I became wiser and learned more about what Hmong is and where they come from...though I don't know if all of these information are true. There are really nothing to back it up so I went along with what I got. Like Cecilia said "We need to rewrite our history and get the facts straight".

But yeah, that was the only time I hate being a Hmong and I do regret that but with no info on your culture or who you are, I say it's understandable.
Things that I like to see improve...well most of you girls already said it. I think that every cultures have the same problems, not just us Hmong people..so if we're gonna fix our community, I think it's gonna be a lot harder.
One things that Cecilia mention caught my attention. We shouldn't separate by clans...we're all Hmong right?! I just hate the fact that if a yang/xiong/vang/thao/lor/hang etc person is super smart and have a great job, every other clans would bash him/her for no reason. We need to stop being jealous of each other b.c we don't even have country to call ours, and yet we're not helping each other. Every clans always competing against each other and ruining each other life over some BS. Like seriously, get real people...why the heck are we having a civil war with each other while the thing we really need to do is catch up with other cultures! Shouldn't we be glad that someone in our community is smart and have the strength to go that far?! What we need to do is praise them, look up to them and hope that they'll bring goods to our community, not bash them every second!
So YES, I'm proud to be Hmong, YES, I once hated myself for being a Hmong, YES, we need to improve a lot of things in our community, and Yes, it's not gonna be easy but if we can work together...I'm sure we'll get there somehow :D
I agree with you Pangia. There was also once that I hated that I was Hmong but now, I think we're one of a kind to be Hmong and we should be proud of it.
 
Lmao, sorry. I'm new to this so I didn't know how to reply >.< and I agree with all you girls. I think we Hmong people should try to make something become history. Like make people notice that we're actually making a change. And all those clans are always trying to see whose better >.< I don't understand anymore... We as Hmong people should love and help eachother... But we're just trying to make things even worse...
 

population1

sarNie Egg
Being hmong im proud of it but wat makes me mad is just how the hmong cultural is slowly disappearing. I know people have their reasons but if we do tat wouldn't the hmong races tradition disappeared. Second of all is hmong teens up to 15 or up are getting married already and end up breaking up. It makes me embarrassed to see us hmong fail being successful and we should be showing tat we didn't just come to a land were we aren't being hunted down. We should show tat we can be successful!!
reminds me of how furious I got when a family of relatives who my direct family and relatives sponsored to the states. that family, parents and children became troublmakers and haters to all of us. what a waist. I can actually, say to them, "they should go back where they came from."

As time goes by, I became wiser and learned more about what Hmong is and where they come from...though I don't know if all of these information are true. There are really nothing to back it up so I went along with what I got. Like Cecilia said "We need to rewrite our history and get the facts straight".
But yeah, that was the only time I hate being a Hmong and I do regret that but with no info on your culture or who you are, I say it's understandable.
Things that I like to see improve...well most of you girls already said it. I think that every cultures have the same problems, not just us Hmong people..so if we're gonna fix our community, I think it's gonna be a lot harder.
One things that Cecilia mention caught my attention. We shouldn't separate by clans...we're all Hmong right?! I just hate the fact that if a yang/xiong/vang/thao/lor/hang etc person is super smart and have a great job, every other clans would bash him/her for no reason. We need to stop being jealous of each other b.c we don't even have country to call ours, and yet we're not helping each other. Every clans always competing against each other and ruining each other life over some BS. Like seriously, get real people...why the heck are we having a civil war with each other while the thing we really need to do is catch up with other cultures! Shouldn't we be glad that someone in our community is smart and have the strength to go that far?! What we need to do is praise them, look up to them and hope that they'll bring goods to our community, not bash them every second!
So YES, I'm proud to be Hmong, YES, I once hated myself for being a Hmong, YES, we need to improve a lot of things in our community, and Yes, it's not gonna be easy but if we can work together...I'm sure we'll get there somehow :D
Hmong males, boys and men alike, put too much pride into the clan system. some men however, may approach it with more maturity. I can tell you this, the clan thing is put into our innocent minds when we were all children to help us I.D. who we are by our parents and or other Hmong adults. the word which we use to describe our surnames, also, literally translates to 'race' in the english language. so, it's a race, in the (action) adverbial sense rather than a whole different group of racialization. therefore, placing emphasis on competition. and as "animals" we are, although we are a human specie under mammals and have a sophisticated civilization unlike [wild] animals, you may well see the dominate Asian male as a male lion whereas a dominate Asian female as a female hyena. me? I'm just a bird. in theories and metaphors, we are all just colorful birds with our shiny silvers and flashy colored Hmong clothing in a cage trying to get free.

anywho, those "successful" Hmong individuals in education or otherwise are actually in opposition toward other Hmong. so, it goes both ways. let me just put it this way, it's a, "I'm too good for you" thing. other times, it's a, "I can't or won't support you." because most of the times those Hmong are manipulated by western imperialism. unless, you are the next Miss Hmong whatever, you can do something about it.

Lmao, sorry. I'm new to this so I didn't know how to reply >.< and I agree with all you girls. I think we Hmong people should try to make something become history. Like make people notice that we're actually making a change. And all those clans are always trying to see whose better >.< I don't understand anymore... We as Hmong people should love and help eachother... But we're just trying to make things even worse...
I find myself trying to navigate a site I'm not used to, too.
 

Bieluvr

XiaojuXiyou
i seriously don't know how to answer this, there are things i hate about being hmong and things i love.
Hates:
1. Hmong guys are so over themselves and thhink that they are worth more, but really when you thhink of it, they can't live without women.
2. Hmong people are too segregated, for example, parents would always say oh, your a girl you have to do everything and let our brothers play around only. not everyone is like this, i know, but my parents are like this.
3. and the men eating first thing is so getting on my nerves, i mean come on, the women work hard to cook for the men while the men sit around and chat, but yet they get to eat first just because they have to "endure beer". how about the women who have to endure hunger while the men who were already eating while chatting eat first. yeah, annoying.
4. Hmong parents are mean, they beat up their kid no matter how small the problem is. they have a hard time accepting a different race.
Likes:
1. Our language is very important and means a lot to me, that i s why i taught myself to read write and speak it, not only that, but it counts as knowing a second languagee so you don't have to take a language class to graduate.
2. who can ever forgeet the food, of course other cultures have it too.
3. the new years, they are fun to attend.
I'm not too sure if i'm proud to be a hmong, but if you guys were me you'd understand. Everyone has their own experiences, just sharing mine.
 
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