Mark Edward Pfeifer, Monica Chiu, and Kou Yang (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- November 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780824835972
- eISBN:
- 9780824871390
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Hawai'i Press
- DOI:
- 10.21313/hawaii/9780824835972.001.0001
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology
This book wrestles with Hmong Americans' inclusion into and contributions to Asian American studies, as well as to American history and culture and refugee, immigrant, and diasporic trajectories. It ...
More
This book wrestles with Hmong Americans' inclusion into and contributions to Asian American studies, as well as to American history and culture and refugee, immigrant, and diasporic trajectories. It negotiates both Hmong American political and cultural citizenship, rewriting the established view of the Hmong as “new” Asian neighbors. Following a summary of more than three decades' of Hmong American experience and a demographic overview, chapters investigate the causes of and solutions to socioeconomic immobility in the Hmong American community and political and civic activism, including Hmong American electoral participation and its effects on policymaking. The influence of Hmong culture on young men is examined, followed by profiles of female Hmong leaders who discuss the challenges they face and interviews with aging Hmong Americans. A section on arts and literature looks at the continuing relevance of oral tradition to Hmong Americans' successful navigation in the diaspora, similarities between rap and kwv txhiaj (unrehearsed, sung poetry), and Kao Kalia Yang's memoir, The Latehomecomer. The final chapter addresses the lay of the land in Hmong American studies, constituting a comprehensive literature review. The book showcases the desire to shape new contours of Hmong American studies as Hmong American scholars themselves address new issues. It represents an essential step in carving out space for Hmong Americans as primary actors in their own right and in placing Hmong American studies within the purview of Asian American studies.Less
This book wrestles with Hmong Americans' inclusion into and contributions to Asian American studies, as well as to American history and culture and refugee, immigrant, and diasporic trajectories. It negotiates both Hmong American political and cultural citizenship, rewriting the established view of the Hmong as “new” Asian neighbors. Following a summary of more than three decades' of Hmong American experience and a demographic overview, chapters investigate the causes of and solutions to socioeconomic immobility in the Hmong American community and political and civic activism, including Hmong American electoral participation and its effects on policymaking. The influence of Hmong culture on young men is examined, followed by profiles of female Hmong leaders who discuss the challenges they face and interviews with aging Hmong Americans. A section on arts and literature looks at the continuing relevance of oral tradition to Hmong Americans' successful navigation in the diaspora, similarities between rap and kwv txhiaj (unrehearsed, sung poetry), and Kao Kalia Yang's memoir, The Latehomecomer. The final chapter addresses the lay of the land in Hmong American studies, constituting a comprehensive literature review. The book showcases the desire to shape new contours of Hmong American studies as Hmong American scholars themselves address new issues. It represents an essential step in carving out space for Hmong Americans as primary actors in their own right and in placing Hmong American studies within the purview of Asian American studies.
Yang Sao Xiong
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- November 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780824835972
- eISBN:
- 9780824871390
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Hawai'i Press
- DOI:
- 10.21313/hawaii/9780824835972.003.0003
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology
This chapter investigates the causes of and solutions to socioeconomic immobility in the Hmong American community. It assesses the key factors that make poverty an enduring problem for Hmong in two ...
More
This chapter investigates the causes of and solutions to socioeconomic immobility in the Hmong American community. It assesses the key factors that make poverty an enduring problem for Hmong in two central California counties by collecting their own views about poverty and economic well-being and strategies for counteracting economic hardship. The chapter argues that the conditions of poverty in Hmong American communities are better explained by “segmented assimilation theory” than by “culture of poverty” arguments. Furthermore, it suggests that the segmented assimilation theory can be strengthened by clarifying how key institutions in the contexts of reception facilitate or constrain individuals' opportunities. The chapter finds that one small step toward combating poverty here emerges through political advocacy that exists Hmong American communities.Less
This chapter investigates the causes of and solutions to socioeconomic immobility in the Hmong American community. It assesses the key factors that make poverty an enduring problem for Hmong in two central California counties by collecting their own views about poverty and economic well-being and strategies for counteracting economic hardship. The chapter argues that the conditions of poverty in Hmong American communities are better explained by “segmented assimilation theory” than by “culture of poverty” arguments. Furthermore, it suggests that the segmented assimilation theory can be strengthened by clarifying how key institutions in the contexts of reception facilitate or constrain individuals' opportunities. The chapter finds that one small step toward combating poverty here emerges through political advocacy that exists Hmong American communities.
