read this for class it was very interesting to read so many different stories of Hmong refugees in one compilation

Hmong Means Free: Life in Laos and America by Sucheng Chan is a compilation of five different personal stories about different Hmong families and their lives. Each story deals with something personal to the family, and is told through their own words; translate first person. In addition to the personal stories, there was an introduction, “The Hmong Experience in Asia and the United States” which went in detail about the history of Laos and Southeast Asia from French colonization, wars between Southeast Asian countries and civil wars, all the way to what life can be like to Hmong living here in the United States.



I think this is extremely relevant to my work at Wilder, now more than ever. The Mobile resource Lab will be moving into a new division, Children and family Services. In that new division is where many Hmong clients that Wilder serves are located. Wilder has a lot of programming directed to the South East Asian population surrounding its location. However I have not explored much of this particular culture at all. it was very interesting to read the stories and gain a small understanding of events and life circumstances that lead some of the people in Frog town to where they are today. Hmong Means Free is first person accounts of events and personal beliefs that is very helpful going into working with Hmong families. There are many reasons one would come to America, and I think for me it is important to start really understanding some of the reasons, so that I can better understand where someone may by in life when they come and sit down in my class.



I would recommend this work to CTEPers interested in the struggles that families from other cultures face while immigrating to America, and the struggles they continue to face after getting to America. This particular work is only Hmong stories, so it is more specific. I would say it is particularly relevant to those working in St, Paul, but I would say could be useful to anyone interested on the subject. It could be especially helpful if some are interested in a cohesive, but condensed history of Laos and its relations in Southeast Asia. It is a short read, but to the point and powerful.

The author presents a helpful overview of the history and challenges of the Hmong during the Vietnamese War, and following the resettlement of many refugees in America. The interviews with individuals with lived experiences of fleeing their homes and leaving everything behind, existing in total fear, escaping to Thai refugee camps, and finally coming to America, helps give us insight into the strength and resilience of the Hmong people. Overcoming unbearable hardship, many have survived and achieved success through tenacity and commitment to values of hard work, and family.