Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the blog posts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Selling Out?

I was asked recently by a young Hmong woman who wondered if agreeing to serve drinks, greet guests, and not wear shorts in public so that Hmong elders would be comfortable was “selling out” on my values of being a liberated Hmong woman who believes in gender equity. 

Let me set the record straight. How I chose to work on gender equity and social change means that I get to decide how much of a feminist I truly am and feel empowered to make choices. I actually do not object to serving drinks. What I object to is when there is a lack of choice and when woman are treated disrespectfully and demeaned for these contributions to society. In my own life, I have decided to meet our Hmong community where it is at so that social change can be made respectfully, consistently, and without apology. Intentionally causing discomfort at times so social and cultural change can happen is a strategy that could be used more frequently, but this is just not me. Agitation is just fine, but it has never been my cup of tea. I’ve learned over the 15 years of working with cultural, social and institutional change to improve the lives of Hmong women, that in order to make social change happen in a way that is constructive and helpful in the Hmong community, it is actually better to be steadfast, consistent, and stick to my values day in and day out.  

I seek to first understand any arguments before making counterarguments. So often, I hear the arguments from others about why the mission of Hnub Tshiab just won’t be successful, even before any of our arguments are heard or even understood. People are already sure that they understand our mission. How could they understand it when they have refused to engage and listen? It is no secret that the first person to be employed in our organization on substantial basis is actually a Hmong man. 

Just as I have decided never to defend whether I am “Hmong enough” for others in the Hmong community, I have decided never to defend whether or not I am “feminist” enough for those more radical than myself. No one can define us but ourselves. I know what my values are and who I am. The question is whether others understand this for themselves. As former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt expressed, “No one can make you feel inferior but yourself.”  

Indeed, the belief that no one can make me feel inferior but myself has freed me of resentment toward others who would seek to put me down.

Monday, July 11, 2011

MPR: A New Generation of Hmong Women Pursues College

"When I was in junior high, my father once said to me, 'I know that you are female and Hmong. Many people will say you won't make it. You won't finish high school because you'll get married, have a lot of kids and be living on welfare. That's the path for you because you are a Hmong female,'" Vang recalled. "And you know what my father said? 'I know you are not going to be that. I know you are going to be something better.'"

This piece is from September 24, 2009 but it is worth revisiting.  The seed of support for Hmong girls starts with something as small as a word of encouragement.  We are the role models that will inspire the next generation of Hmong women leaders.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/23/youthradio-hmongcollege/

To listen to the piece, click on the link below.
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