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Defining myself for a change
The first time someone asked me what am I, I did not know how to explain. Maybe it was because I was only seven years old. Then again, it’s a strange question to ask a kid. My parents then instructed me to tell people that I am Hmong. That’s what I did.
When teachers and students started to ask me which country did I come from, the first place I could think of was Ohio since I was born there before moving to Detroit. Then, I was asked where my parents came from since I was not born in a different country. Not knowing what to say, I went home to ask my parents. It’s kind of a silly question for a kid to ask her parents. My parents told me they were born in the country sides on the mountaintops of Laos then something-something Vietnam War and blah-blah-blah Thailand. I was still a kid so it was hard to catch all the details. One time when I was in 3rd grade, I had to record my dad on a tape player to follow the storyline. Anyways, that was what I told my teachers: I am Hmong and something-something my parents came from “Thai-wan”.
And that’s how the rest of my school years were like: people asking me questions on my ethnic background and me explaining the whole history. Well, I tried to. I couldn’t simply say I originated from so-and-so country and leave it at that because the Hmong has no country.
To lessen the confusion, I usually start from the Hmong resistance in China to the Secret War in Vietnam and to the immigration of Hmong refugees. Being a student at Michigan Technological University was no different. In fact, a lot of people here have never heard of the Hmong, our involvement in the Vietnam War, and the cultural and political influences we have right now.
After my first year and a half at MTU, I decided to take initiative. Besides just performing every year in the International Nite (hosted by the International Club), I led information sessions about the Hmong culture. I did something different every year by making small changes. It was like painting with one stroke at a time to create an art piece.
One example was my participation in the Parade of Nations. The first year, I wore the Hmong White traditional clothing and marched alone without a flag and sign. The second year, the Hmong cardboard sign was made under my request and I marched with two friends. In the following two years I marched alone. By my senior year, I was president of the International Club and became a volunteer in the Parade of Nations board. In Fall 2006, I invited my brother and sister to march with me at the Parade of Nations 2006. Since it was going to be the last time I marched, I wanted to make a mark. So, we stayed up all night to make our own flags. Each flag represented parts of the Hmong culture: the unique instruments, the hand-sewn colorful clothing, and the art of Paj Ntaub (flower cloths). Designing our own flags may not have been significant to others but to my siblings and me, it meant something.
I encourage new coming students to open up to new experiences and not continue making MTU a non-diverse place. Diversity has been represented in a wrong light and I hope that through experience and an open mind, we can start thinking diversely. If I had not gotten involved with events hosted by international students and joined activities held by student organizations, I would have not made as many friends and gained leadership skills as I have now. Houghton is somewhat isolated from big cities and probably not the ideal center of diversity. Yet, there are so many amazing multi-cultural events organized by students, faculties and local residents that not beyond reach. I find it sad that people still fail to attend these events or fail to find them interesting and educating. The world is diverse and we should not narrow our minds into isolation. The only thing that can make you fall short is if you rarely allow yourself to have new experiences.