Maximilian Probstel
Week 2
Section A03

This week's reading "Hmong Does Not mean Free: The Miseducation of Hmong Americans" written by Kaozong N. Mouavangsou touched into the problems/situations within the Hmong ethnic group. 
The article first explains the issues and different expectations from parents on daughters and their sons in the 
Hmong culture but also concentrates on why Hmong females tend to be academically more successful than Hmong
males. Throughout the article, not only the academic expectation but also the history and culture of Hmong people
is focused on, to better understand as a reader, what it means to be Hmong. 
        A very interesting subject mentioned by the author was the miscommunication not only by the US about the 
culture and origin of Hmong, but also the miseducation by other Hmong about their own culture. This is very 
interesting to see because it makes you as a reader reflect upon how much of the past, which make up different 
cultures is lost and how much is incorrect information about one's culture. For example, I as an international student 
coming from a very culturally rich country in Europe, have been growing up with certain rules and guidelines. 
Relating this back to the text, one of the Hmong examples of culture and guidelines is that men are seen as more 
important than woman. The author elaborates on this point by stating that the only way she could prove herself was 
by education and receiving good grades. This concept of unequal importance in gender is not only seen in Hmong 
culture but in many other cultures around the world. Going back to the point that there is this miscommunication 
between Hmong culture not only by the US but also sometimes by Hmong of their own culture, I came to the 
question: "At which point are certain concepts such as sons being more important than daughters seen as traditional
views? How can we change/stop these old values?" I wanted to therefore end this journal entry with an article 
of the 6 most important discoveries throughout time by women. 

References: 
"6 Impactful Discoveries by Women Scientists." Discov'Her, L'Oreal Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
Mouvangsou, K.N. Hmong does not mean free: The Mis-education of Hmong Americans.

http://discov-her.com/en/article/6-impactful-discoveries-by-women-scientists