Week 2

George Welly 

Section A01 

In this week’s article, Hmong Does Not Mean Free, Kaozong Mouvangsou focuses on the miseducation of the Hmong in different aspects such as by the Hmong and for the Hmong. Beginning with the disparities between male and female Hmong students(female students usually being more educated than the male students), Mouvangsou highlights the cultural differences that result in this divide and inequality among the Hmong youth. Additionally, Mouvangsou’s own research of various Hmong families demonstrate the importance of education and motivation for a better life, as well as the loss of culture and bilingualism due to the constant exposure to American culture and education. Moreover, Mouvangsou delves into the ongoing problem in the American education system and the fact that the portrayal of the Hmong people are not employed in a correct view, if not portrayed in grade school at all. Mouvangsou’s essay truly signifies the marginalization of the Asian American people and the miseducation of the Hmong people not mainly due to cultural attributes among the Hmong people, but primarily due to the implementation of education through a Eurocentric view and absence of the Hmong in general American History. 

As I read Mouvangsou’s article, I definitely related instances within my own life and realized that these problems are not only apparent within the Hmong, but through the Indonesian people as well. Coming to the U.S. around the age of three, I only attained English comprehension abilities, but my speaking abilities were lacking. A year in the American education system was enough to completely wipe my fluency of my native tongue as English soon replaced my first language. The loss of culture was quite a struggle for me and the identity confusion that Mouvangsou experienced is something I completely understand. Also similar to Hmong, I feel that the Indonesian people are absent within American history despite being the fourth most populous country in the world. Quintessentially speaking, articles such as Mouvangsou’s signify the importance of reform within today’s education system and instruction, especially in regards the Asian American people.

Question: (To Kaozong) What do you think is the most effective way in implementing more of Hmong history into America’s education system? 

References:
Cox, L. (n.d.). Unit 2: Human Geography Review Unit 2: Human Geography Review. Retrieved April 09, 2017, from http://slideplayer.com/slide/9014172/

Mouvangsou, K. N. Hmong Does Not Mean Free: The Mis-Education of Hmong Americans.