4/13/20101A Brief Look at the HmongA Brief Look at the Hmongby KaShia Mouaby KaShia MouaApril 8, 2010April 8, 2010Origins of the HmongOrigins of the Hmong Scholars, anthropologists and linguistic Scholars, anthropologists and linguistic experts have studied the Hmong but they experts have studied the Hmong but they do not agree as to their origins.do not agree as to their origins. The most recent ancestry can be traced to The most recent ancestry can be traced to China.China. Within China’s diverse ethnic population, Within China’s diverse ethnic population, the Hmong are known as the Hmong are known as MiaoMiao..There is no HmonglandThere is no HmonglandHmong in ChinaHmong in China Hmong live Hmong live primarily in primarily in Guizhou & Guizhou & Yunnan Yunnan provinces provinces (red stars)(red stars) Origins near Origins near Huang Huang (Yellow (Yellow ((River; see River; see arrow)arrow)Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_china/china_pol196.jpgHistorical Timeline200 B.C. – 1810 A.D -The Hmong occupied the Yellow River region of China and survived the many dynasties yythat ruled ChinaBut things change…But things change… The Qing Dynasty aka Manchu The Qing Dynasty aka Manchu Dynasty (1644Dynasty (1644--1912)1912) The Dynasty reached its peak in the The Dynasty reached its peak in the 1818ththcenturycentury Territory & population increasesTerritory & population increases Chinese culture gets integratedChinese culture gets integrated4/13/20102How did Chinese and How did Chinese and Hmong culture Hmong culture ggCLASH?CLASH?ChopsticksChopsticksSpoonsSpoons LANGUAGELANGUAGERELIGIONRELIGIONEither assimilate to Either assimilate to Chinese culture or…Chinese culture or……be killed…be killedoror…get out…get out4/13/20103Thousands are killed…Thousands are killed… Millions Flee ChinaMillions Flee China17901790--1860 1860 Hmong flee persecution in ChinaHmong flee persecution in China Millions fled to Southeast Asia Millions fled to Southeast Asia (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand)Thailand)Hmong in LaosHmong in Laos18601860--1960: The Hmong maintained relative 1960: The Hmong maintained relative peace in the highlands of Laos peace in the highlands of Laos Living in LaosLiving in LaosFarming in LaosFarming in Laos Cooking in LaosCooking in Laos4/13/20104Playing in LaosPlaying in LaosPeace ends,War begins.Leading up to the Vietnam War…1946: The beginning of the Cold War; Viet Minh establishes presence in Eastern Laos in pHmong territory 1953: Viet Minh invades Hmong homelands in northern Laos1963-1975The U.S. Secret Army in Laos y& the Vietnam War Hmong in CIA’s Secret War in Laos 1963Hmong in CIA’s Secret War in Laos 1963--19751975 Late 1950s: “Mr. Pop” Edgar Buell, linked to U.S. Information Office, worked with Hmong in Laos 1961: CIA rep. Colonel Bill Lair met with Vang PaoLair met with Vang Pao, leader of the Hmong army in Laos Initiation of secret cooperation between Hmong and CIA in Laos“Mr. Pop” Edgar BuellHmong National DevelopmentA “Secret War” Hmong soldiers were recruited under the direction of General Vang Pao, a general under the Laotian Army, to fight in the “Secret War”4/13/20105the promise…What happens to Hmong men? Hmong boys as young as 8 years old are recruited to fight Hmong soldiers are trained to fly planesgy Hmong soldiers rescue American pilots/planes that are shot down in Laos Hmong soldiers guard supply trailsWhat happens to Hmong families? Families are separated & displaced Families lose their grandfathers, fathers, husbands, brothers and sons Families live on foot, traveling to different locations on a daily, weekly basis Babies and children die of starvation or drug over dosesWhat happens in 1975? U.S. pulls out of the war & returns to the U.S. Hmong are left behind & are viewed as traitors Hmong are hunted & killedWhat happens after the Vietnam War?Hmong in Laos crossed the Mekong River and fled to Thailand to seek temporaryThailand to seek temporary refuge in Thai campsMay 1975, the beginning exodus of Hmong refugees. Only a selected few were airlifted to Thailand while thousands made the dangerous journey by foot.4/13/20106Death in the JunglesDeath in the Mekong RiverHmong in Thai Refugee CampsHmong Survivorsz 1976 – 1990s: Hmong refugees emigrated to the U.S., France, Australia, French Guyana and Canadaz 1990s: UN refugee camps in Thailand began gp gclosing; Hmong refugees migrate to non-UN camp, ie. Wat Tham Krabokz 2004: Approx 15,000 Hmong resettle in U.S. when the last refugee camp is shut downMy family arrives in Eau Claire, WIz April 9, 1976Looking back, Looking forward4/13/20107Smiles all aroundImmigrant vs. RefugeeImmigrant vs. RefugeeImmigrantImmigrant can be broadly defined as can be broadly defined as any nonany non--citizen in the United States, citizen in the United States, except for those legally admitted under except for those legally admitted under specific nonspecific non--immigrant categories or immigrant categories or status.status.Immigrant vs. RefugeeImmigrant vs. RefugeeRefugeeRefugee is defined as a person “unable or is defined as a person “unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of unwilling to return to his or her country of origin because of persecution or a wellorigin because of persecution or a well--fddf f i ffddf f i ffounded fear of persecution on account of founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” particular social group, or political opinion.” INA INA §§101(a)(42)(A) 101(a)(42)(A) ImmigrantImmigrantAn immigrant’s An immigrant’s heartheart arrives in the new arrives in the new country years country years beforebefore their body does.their body does.RefugeeRefugeeAn refugee’s An refugee’s body body arrives in the new country arrives in the new country years years before before their heart does.their heart does.Worldwide Hmong Population*Worldwide Hmong Population* China: 6,000,000 China: 6,000,000 Vietnam: 787,604 Vietnam: 787,604 Laos: 315,000Laos: 315,000 United States: 250,000United States: 250,000Thailand: 124 000Thailand: 124
View Full Document
Unlocking...