<![CDATA[Hmong Impact Giving Network

<![CDATA[Hmong Impact Giving Network - Blog]]>Sun, 26 Mar 2023 08:42:40 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[Where are the MEN in Mentor?]]>Tue, 09 Jan 2018 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.hmongimpact.org/blog/where-are-the-men-in-mentor

Author Robby Vang, center

A big part of our Hmong-American collective is that there is a crucial piece missing when it comes to higher education. I grew up like any Hmong kid, surrounded by many other Hmong kids. But while I grew up and continued my education, the number of Hmong males around me began decreasing.

A major issue I see missing in the Hmong Community is the involvement of leading male figures. It’s difficult enough getting people of color to take higher education seriously, let alone our Hmong boys. Statistically, our female counterparts are doing a phenomenal job achieving higher educations.

I believe I speak for many Hmong boys when I say we can’t easily find a positive male role model. I also want to bring to attention the pride that comes with being a Hmong man that doesn’t allow us to accept this statement, and so we find other things to fill that void in our lives.

I didn’t have a Hmong male role model until I was 18 years old. It wasn’t until I fulfilled the goal of getting into college by myself that I found my MENtor(s) – other Hmong men who attended the same college. I was grateful because they pushed me to attain my degree and I honestly don’t think I would’ve done it without them (Yes, WOULD’VE instead of COULD’VE). The value of a Hmong Mentor for a confused coming-of-age Hmong boy had a tremendous impact on me.

In college, I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Tou Ger Bennett Xiong. His personal stories and the involvement in his community (along with his comedy) provided the freshest perspective on what I can do for my community. I also met Rapper and Activist Tou Saiko Lee, who had similar stories of struggles during his upbringing, and he shared that his life actually turned around after he met Tou Ger who inspired him. These two Hmong men single-handedly made me question my existence.

How did I get here? Where am I going? How can I get more Hmong men to where I am? What can we do to change our perspective? How can we move forward together? How do we play our roles to support our entire people?

Our sisters have done more than enough. We all know the traditional roles females and males play in the household - but what is important to me and to our collective Hmong community is: What more can men do?

My desire is that a MENtorship program can be created. It would be similar to a Big Brother/Big Sister program, guiding our youth to take education seriously because this is a key that opens many doors in American society. There could also be a program for those who want to become more involved and go back to school because it’s never too late to get an education. For everyone, sharing stories and a mentorship support group would bring new insight to how we live our lives collectively.

My hope is that a movement like this can launch so that our Hmong brothers can keep up with our Hmong sisters, and we may all thrive together.

]]><![CDATA[A Thought - Tebchaws Vam Meej]]>Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hmongimpact.org/blog/a-thought-tebchaws-vam-meej

“Teb Chaws Vam Meej” or “The Promise land” holds a different meaning, depending on who you talk. Hmong elders and first-generation Hmong-Americans see it as a Newfoundland, a country away from their previous war-torn country; another country if you follow the Hmong people’s history. It is the land where the Hmong can start again and embrace its inclusion no matter how many struggles we’ve had to go through to get there.

Remember the nomadic journeys and unfortunate bloodshed? Second-generation Hmong may see it as a land of opportunity. Growing up Hmong-American, I was taught that education was the key to success. Everything else was a privilege, not a right. Some of us took it seriously, and others are a disappointment for passing up these newfound opportunities.

Chances are that the young Hmong generation doesn't know the term “Teb Chaws Vam Meej” especially if they don't know their own culture and language (which is a pattern we continue to see more and more of). Statistics, anybody?

So what’s the point of all this? In just three generations, I see that we as a people went from escaping war to questioning our existence, and then immediately forgetting what it means to be grateful. While some continue to embrace their culture and pursue careers that better their community, many of our counterparts are choosing to escape and run as far as we can from cultural and community expectations. (We're immediately forgetting those who sacrificed or were lost in the Vietnam War.)

This isn’t a direct message for those who come from lines of “successful” Hmong and those who cared enough to continue teaching the younger generations the importance of life as a Hmong-American. It is, however, a cry out to the ones who have lost their way or refuse to acknowledge this movement of cultural adaptation, choosing one over the other instead of merging the two.

I don’t mean to put down anyone; whether those who follow the traditional route or those who refuse to even acknowledge they are Hmong. I do however want to know what motivates one to move forward in the culture they were raised in, or move forward in another culture. Is it the past that makes the difference? Or is it the future? I would like to meet in the middle.

Obviously, we have choices. Of course, it’s up to the individual to do what they will with their lives, whether it stays in their culture or find another culture to adapt to. We can build upon a history we choose to acknowledge or establish a new mix of cultures in this melting pot of America -- The Promised Land, right? After all, we’ve come from a long history of adapting.

#Tebchaws #assimilation #Hmong #traditions

]]><![CDATA[Built From Hope & Struggle: A Giving Circle]]>Wed, 16 Aug 2017 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hmongimpact.org/blog/built-from-hope-struggle-a-giving-circle

Historically, the Hmong families and clans have come together to help each other. The displaced Hmong are the survivors of war, and our generation lives on the idea of our luck, as another chance to live. As a first generation Hmong-American, my family’s struggles with identity, trauma, cultural stigmas, and economic opportunities are shared experiences across generations and among many other Hmong families.

The persecution of the Hmong and the escape from war resulted in their refugee status. Our generation can’t deny that we owe much of what we have today, to the Hmong refugees who pioneered and paved the way for a better life in America, or in other nations. Many struggled to assimilate into the new culture, while others sought community needs and disadvantages, as opportunities to invest and help. Young people and children were able to learn and bring hope to their community.

It is a new time and a new day for everyone in the Hmong community, to grow and change, as we transition from one generation to the next. Though, the changes I have seen have been for the better and for the worse. We highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of Hmong individuals and families in academics, politics, and community organizing. But what about our community failures and cultural issues that set us back? Some issues in the Hmong community have intensified from new found opportunities, traditional ideologies, and the lack of role models and resources for individuals. These community issues hinder our progress and they’re tough to combat.

I understand the Hmong community’s struggles and I am hopeful for the future. My friends and I started a giving circle to give back to the Hmong community. I believe that if we can unite on the basis of giving, as a seed would bring about life, the Hmong Impact Giving Circle will bring opportunities and growth. The giving circle will allocate funds annually to community organizations serving the Hmong. We envision individuals will gain valuable impact, expand their networks, and be empowered to take action personally, or professionally.

We are not alone in our struggles, and we’re not alone in wanting to help. At the Hmong Impact Giving Circle, we set aside where we come from and focus on where we want to go. No matter what your background is, we encourage you to join us, learn about the needs of the Hmong community, and make a difference. We have a mission and we see value in every voice. Let’s give rise to those around us - with our hopes high for Hmong impact.

#persecution #Hmong #refugees #struggles #hope

]]><![CDATA[Hmoob Hlub Hmoob]]>Tue, 03 May 2016 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hmongimpact.org/blog/hmoob-hlub-hmoob

I recently participated in a workshop that re-introduced me to an activity called the “life balance wheel.” I was asked to label a number of variables important in my life that fit under the following categories: Work, Family and Relationships, Cultural and Spiritual, Health, Hobbies and Recreation, and Education. I then identified the amount of energy I’m currently investing in these different areas. I realized that while I’m putting 110% into my work life, sadly, my current energy investment in my own identity is low.

I was devastated. I’m so proud of my Hmong heritage, and I look forward to raising my future children with respect and knowledge about the history of our people. I see my siblings and my nieces and nephews forging their own paths as they discover their identities and embrace their Hmong heritage to become confident and successful Hmong Americans. Yet, there exists a disconnect between who I am culturally, and how I invest my time and energy. How do I expect to raise my family with knowledge about their histories when I myself am not actively engaged in making our history?

Fortunately, this was a significant reminder of why I am part of the Hmong Impact Giving Circle. There is a lack of role models who look like us, speak like us, and understand the challenges that we face. There is also a lack of support for those who struggle in the cycle of poverty. If I want to raise proud Hmong children, I also need to support the Hmong community, and I need to be more engaged in order to create awareness about the community’s needs. I am re-energized after this realization and am determined to more consciously invest my energy in issues relevant to the Hmong. Participating in the Hmong Impact Giving Circle is getting me closer to my cultural identity and in giving back to the Hmong community to established a stronger, more united people.

If I can serve as a role model for both my peers and a younger Hmong population, my hope is that others will also be inspired to build up our community as well. We each have different skills and areas of expertise to share with one another, and I hope that through the work of philanthropy, together we can make a positive impact on others for the future.

Hmoob Hlub Hmoob: that is my ultimate goal, and it starts with me.

#culture #Hmong #rolemodels

]]><![CDATA[Stop the Violence]]>Tue, 03 May 2016 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hmongimpact.org/blog/stop-the-violence

Violence surrounds me, a shadow that has followed me since my birth. I have experienced violence on several occasions in my life. Once when I was 12, I remember arriving home early from school. I was the first of my five siblings to return. As I approached the front door, a voice in my head said, "slow down." Then, I felt a knot in my stomach and I don't know why, but I was nervous. As I turned the key and the door creaked open, I noticed a trail of paper on the floor. Standing in the doorway, I could now see the entire living room and it was a mess - furniture toppled over, clothes on the floor, phone off the hook. I stood there frozen in place and it was then that I realized we were robbed!

There were a string of home invasions that summer, and everyone were scared because they said it was Hmong and other Asian gangs targeting Hmong families. A few days later, we heard that another robbery happened at my uncle's house, but the family was home and they were being held at gunpoint. Fortunately, the thieves were chased off by my grandfather and no one was hurt. It was hard to sleep that night and many nights thereafter. Though those incidents happened decades ago, it left a lasting impression on me, and I remember it being the first time I was overcome with fear.

With more and more news stories of violence in our communities across the country, it has prompted many to wonder what is the cause of these unfortunate and senseless killings. From the recent shooting spree by a Hmong man in Wisconsin to the rising number of women being brutally beaten by their spouses, it seems there isn't enough being done to address these issues. Our community needs to continue raising awareness and having tough conversations about intergenerational trauma, mental illness, post-traumatic stress, domestic violence, marital issues, police brutality, and poverty. We need to start tackling each issue one by one, and begin to collectively find solutions. The state of Minnesota recently released its first study of violence against Asian women and children, and they found that many women do not report their abuse to authorities because of cultural stigma, shame and fear. I believe it is long overdue to address the taboos in our community. Not to mention, the years of oppression and warfare that continue to traumatize our people. It is time to stop the violence.

It has been 40 years since the first Hmong arrived in the U.S. As we reflect on how far we have come and the violence that our grandparents and parents endured to bring us to safety and freedom, let us continue to dream of a peaceful future for our children. Let us honor the past and all the lives lost by teaching courage and promising the next generation a united community of peace and love. Join us - the Hmong Impact Giving in paying it forward and being a leader in sustaining our community for many more decades to come!

Minnesota Study on Violence Against Asian Women and Children: http://aapress.com/health/minnesota-releases-its-first-major-study-of-violence-against-asian-women-and-children/comment-page-1/

#violence #asian #Hmong #Minnesota

]]><![CDATA[Why I wanted to start a giving circle for the Hmong community]]>Tue, 03 May 2016 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.hmongimpact.org/blog/why-i-wanted-to-start-a-giving-circle-for-the-hmong-community

I want to make a difference in the Hmong community and I know that I am not the only one. Nonprofit programs have played a key role in my life trajectory, by providing mentors, education, extracurricular activities, and opportunities throughout my childhood and young adult life. Fortunately, these opportunities were free thanks to foundation grants, business giving, individual donors and organization partnerships. I believe that contributing to community programs serving the Hmong community may also have a positive effect on others, as they’ve had on me.

I started the Qhia Dab Neeg Film Festival in St. Paul, Minnesota and wanted to bring artists and the Hmong community together to tell our stories. It was during these six years I was leading the film festival that I learned how difficult it was to raise money to provide programming for Hmong storytelling. The annual film festival has persevered every year, and much of it was due to the artists, supporters, volunteers, and audience who believed in its purpose.

Recently, I started working at a philanthropy consulting firm and heard the statistics of Asian poverty rates in the United States, and Hmong listed as the largest Asian group living in poverty. One out of every three Hmong people in the United States is living in poverty. As a young Hmong professional, I feel obligated to do something about it. When I learned about a colleague of mine co-chairing a giving circle, it inspired me to start the Hmong Impact Giving Circle with Cynthia Yongvang from Seattle, Washington. We both recognized the struggles within the Hmong community and want to build a national network of like-minded individuals who can give back.

Through my family background, personal experiences, struggles, and learned skills, I desire to help the Hmong community. Understanding that many of my struggles as a youth and in my community are still issues that exist today, I want to start the Hmong Impact Giving Circle so that more opportunities may be created for the Hmong community.

#charitableprojects #mentorship #Hmong #fundraising

]]>