I Am Hmong

 


Padah-Vang-hmong-americanBy: Padah Vang 
Heritage: Hmong-American
Profession in U.S.: Student


Stares. That's what I got while walking down the streets in Santa Marta, Colombia during my recent trip. Their eyes followed every step that I took when I walked past them. It was only when I turned a corner that I felt their eyes drop, but new eyes found their way to me. I wonder what they were thinking about me. How many times have they seen an Asian person? How many times have they interacted with a 4 feet 10 inch, yellow skin, flat nosed person like me? Probably not that often because the only time I saw another Asian person in Santa Marta was a man sitting on the steps that led into “Chinatown,” a restaurant.  

Then, while on my hiking trip, I was referred to as being Chinese or Japanese. Classic. I get the reference of being Chinese in the United States too. People assume that I am Chinese or Japanese so often that when, Tato, our cook from the trekking trip asked, “Where are your people originally from?” I smiled and said,  “My people are from the mountains of China, but I’m not Chinese.” Asserting that last statement gives people no chance at saying that I am Chinese, however, it still happens sometimes.

For instance – during my first year in college, I participated in a fashion show for the Asian Student Union’s “Asian Cultural Night.” While I was dressed in my traditional attire, a man asked:

“What culture is your outfit from?”

I replied, “This is a traditional Hmong outfit.”

“Oh, where is that from?”

“From the mountains of China, but we’re not Chinese”

He seemed to dismiss the fact that I stated I was not Chinese and continued to talk about a mountain in China as if I were Chinese and grew up there. I wanted to tell him that I have never been in China, and that I absolutely had no idea what he was talking about, but I couldn’t correct him, for he was so persistent and enthusiastic about the topic.

Therefore, I will tell people that I am not Chinese so that I can tell them who I am. I am Hmong. I love to talk about the Hmong people and how they helped the United States in the Secret War. Talking about them is a way for me to honor the lives and sacrifices that were made; how husbands, brothers, grandpas, and uncles were killed, while women were raped, and babies poisoned with opium. But I also want to share the strength of family that lies within our hearts and minds that make us resilient, and to be where we are today in the United States. I see faces like mine who are doctors, lawyers, social workers, farmers, news anchor, politicians, entrepreneurs, and innovative thinkers who all want to give back to their community, friends, and family.  

When I get to share about my people, I get to share about myself.

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- Padah Vang is a Hmong-American student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO. She's a sociology major and expected to graduate in 2019.

- Image courtesy of Padah Vang.

- Follow Padah on Facebook: Padah Vang and Instagram: @padahh