Before we talk with Hmong elders about patriarchy, marriage, divorce and funeral, we should really research to know what are the reasons behinds all these rituals that create so much misconception about Hmong culture. Then when we understand, we can talk to our elders why it should be changed or improve so it can be suitable for the 21st century. This will lead to compromise and understanding between older and younger generation withing Hmong community Annie Lee elaborated.
We still have a cultural clash between the western society and Hmong traditional communities which leads to misunderstanding and creating conflict our parents who would hold our culture dearly and the younger generation that has grown up in western society who know nothing or know very little about Hmong culture.
Annie Lee, a Hmong wife, a Hmong sister who has co-found the Hmong Women Today in the states (US) said that she use to disengage with Hmong community when she was young, but now as she has set this group, it draw her back to her root and very keen and curious to know more to learn more why there are so much hassle relating to these topics and people will always argue about it especially the older generation and younger generation.
Therefore Hmong Culture Awareness Summit 26-29 September 2018 will be held in California and broadcast live through Facebook so Hmong community around the globe can participate. There will be Hmong experts in different fields to present all the reasons behind all the rituals that these rituals themselves could be seen source of discrimination, inequality in Hmong communities worldwide.
Ms. Lee was so surprised why there are just two men registered to attend this session. However, she added that this summit take 4 days to complete. Each day is dedicated to each topics namely patriarchy, wedding, divorce and funeral. The resons why she wants those who want to attend this summit registered is that they will go through some preparation and video will be recorded and send to them so they understand what each topics are really about and then act and ask questions accordingly to those circumstances not misconception or argument when attending the summit.
But as Ya Pao Cha who has practice Hmong culture, teach Hmong at University for decades has said, "if you do anything that touch Hmong men's status quo they will not be happy about it" while he was interviewed by Annie Lee throgh Facebook recently.
Hmong women are very much the one who preserve Hmong culture according to many Hmong experts who study about Hmong history and culture intensively namely Dr. Mai Na Mee Lee, Dr. Gary Lee Yia and Dr. Lee Pao Xiong from the Center for Hmong Study in the US.
They both agreed, Hmong women are very strong and perseverance and are the heroins who actually rescue Hmong men according to Hmong folklore which is different from the western society which the prince will rescue a princess. Therefore, they could be the very important person who will determine if their husband will succeed or fail with or without their supports.
The summit will be started from the 26-29 September 2018 for 4 days and if you may need want to find out more information.
Or go to Hmong Women Today Facebook page or you can contact Annie Lee
through her personal Facebook page for more information about this summit.
Or you can contact Txiab Neeb Vang who is the facilitator for this summit and read more information abou this summit here.#
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