The Hmong in America

April Saul

NPPA/Nikon Documentary Sabbatical

Story Summary,The resettlement of 70,000 Hmong refugees in America has been called 'the most abnormal migration ever. Recruited by the CIA to fight in Laos, the hill tribesmen were promised that America would take care of them. They here to collect on that promise. Farmers with no schooling, language skills, and only tribal medicine, they face greater obstacles than any other group of Asian refugees. Many cluster, unemployed in cities like Fresno clinging to ancient customs, while their children practice American cool. But in smaller communities, like Morganton, N.C. some are getting jobs, buying homes, and becoming positively middle class. Caption,Fresno shaman Fai Dang Vang sacrifices a hog to cure the backache of a friend.Hmong medicine is still popular and many refugees risk their lives avoiding American health care.

April Saul, "The Hmong in America," in POYi Archive, Item #16308, http://archive.poy.org/items/show/16308 (accessed November 24, 2024).