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Hmong Minnesotans
During the Vietnam War (1959–1975),
many Hmong people helped the
United States against the communists
in Southeast Asia. When the communists
won the war, the Hmong were
singled out for retribution and many
became refugees in Thailand, the
United States, France, and elsewhere.
Today more than 60,000 Hmong
live in Minnesota. Hmong students
are succeeding in school, balancing
issues of culture and identity, and
learning to maintain ties to the past
while seeking to thrive in America.
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By Kayoua Vang ’09
St. Paul, Minnesota
Women’s, Gender and Sexuality
Studies
I was 5 years old when I first stepped foot
into the United States; my family and I
were Hmong refugees from Thailand.
With my parents as the backbone to my
success in school, I was determined to
create stepping-stones for my younger
siblings.
In high school, I took International
Baccalaureate courses, I volunteered
at Children’s Hospital, and I worked 20
hours a week my last two years to help
my parents with the bills. When I realized
how fast money comes and goes, I knew I
either had to work harder by adding more
hours or study harder to be able to earn
more money in the future. I took the latter
route.
“I wanted to
‘unlearn’ the
disadvantages
in my life: my
refugee status, my
financial worries,
and my identity as
a woman of color.”
Choosing a college was not too hard—I
considered Macalester’s academic quality
as well as its multicultural celebrations—
but I was definitely nervous about whether
I’d be accepted. It was perfect for me, but
was I perfect for Macalester?
I came to Macalester with the mentality
that I wanted to “unlearn” the disadvantages
in my life: my refugee status, my
financial worries, and my identity as a
woman of color. But as I realized how much
Macalester champions diversity, I began to
embrace my roots.
I learned so much about giving back to
my community that I also want to educate
others about the history of Hmong immigration
to the United States. I became
active as the outreach specialist for Ua Ke,
“Together,” the Macalester Hmong student
organization. This past year I served
as president of the statewide organization
Hmong College Students of Minnesota.
Yesterday I was a fleeing refugee. Today
I am a Macalester student. Tomorrow will
be even better.
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