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Tagged: Hmong

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Arts & Culture
6:39 pm
Tue October 25, 2011

Hmong writers celebrate with new literary anthology

How Do I Begin, a new anthology of work by Hmong American writers.
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It was like a coming out party for the newest group of writers to join the literary world. Amid the bright lights of Fresno’s Tower Theatre, an event billed as the official launch of the book “How Do I Begin” was held.

Fresno writer Mas Masumoto called the publishing of the anthology of poetry and stories written Hmong-Americans in the Central Valley a historic moment. “I think tonight is historic because it’s a community capturing their voices, and the voices are allowed to be passed down through story, especially in a book form.”

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Valley Edition
6:20 pm
Tue October 25, 2011

On Valley Edition: California Dream Act; Child Abuse; Hmong Writers

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This week on Valley Edition we talk about the state's new law, the "California Dream Act" which would allow students who came to the country as children illegally access to financial aid at state colleges and universities. We also hear about the link between the recession and an increase in cases of child abuse. And we close our program with a story on the Hmong American Writers Circle, and a new literary anthology called "How Do I Begin."

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Hidden World Of Girls
7:57 pm
Fri May 27, 2011

Family History: The General, His Sisters And Me

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Credit Lianne Milton for NPR
Military officials salute the casket of Gen. Vang Pao in Fresno, Calif.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Military officials salute the casket of Gen. Vang Pao during his funeral procession in Fresno, Calif., on Feb. 4. In the 1970s, Vang led Hmong guerrillas in a CIA-backed battle against communist forces in Laos and helped tens of thousands of Hmong immigrants resettle in American cities.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Hmong women wearing traditional clothing line the streets during the funeral procession.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Kingsley Yang ties on an armband during the funeral procession. Members of the general's family had hoped he would be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, but the Pentagon denied the request.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Thousands from the Hmong community line the streets as the general's body is transported on a horse-drawn carriage to Fresno's convention center for the funeral.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Col. Wangyee Vang (right) president of the Lao Veterans of America Institute, reunites with other veterans at the funeral procession for Gen. Vang Pao.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
A portrait of Vang sits amidst funeral wreaths at the Fresno Convention Center.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Family, friends and members of the Hmong community crowd the Fresno Convention Center for the funeral.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Prince Bouavong Kattygnarath (center) of the Lao royal family passes Vang's casket. Foreign dignitaries, U.S. military officials and elected representatives were among the thousands who came to mourn the general.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Family members pray during the Buddhist ceremony for Vang. The six-day funeral ended on Feb. 9.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Hmong women wear traditional clothes, a sign of respect, during Vang's funeral.
Credit Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
Former U.S. soldiers surround a portrait of Gen. Vang Pao. They were among the thousands attending the general's funeral.
Credit All photos by Lianne Milton for NPR / Photos by Lianne Milton for NPR
A mourner holds a photo of Gen. Vang Pao during the funeral procession. Vang was a hero of the Hmong community, and thousands gathered for his six-day long funeral. He died on Jan. 6 at age 81.
Credit Courtesy of Doualy
A photo from Neng Cha's youth.
Credit Lianne Milton for NPR
NPR reporter Doualy Xaykaothao speaks with her great-aunts — Gen. Vang Pao's sisters — in Fresno, Calif.
Credit Lianne Milton for NPR
Gen. Vang Pao's sisters (from left to right) include Der Vang, Xai Vang and Lee Vang.
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Originally published on Wed May 23, 2012 9:24 am

As an American teenager, whenever I asked grown-ups about the Vietnam War, few wanted to discuss it. As an adult, it was just as hard to talk about the war. That's why I never told friends and neighbors about my family's history.

You see, the Vietnam War took place in my family's backyard. My family lived in northeastern Laos, in Nong Het, right on the border with Vietnam. When the CIA needed an ally, they found a charismatic, passionate young man not afraid to die.

That man was my great-uncle, the late Gen. Vang Pao.

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