Kevin Fong Lee, one of the co-founder of Hmong Inspiration Association said that after discussed with his co-founders of this organisation, they decide to hold a workshop with Tou Saiko Lee, a Hmong American Rappers and Hip Hop singer who utilize contemporary musics combining with Hmong Spoken Word Poetry and Poem as a tool to connect Hmong intergeneration through Hmong history, culture, language and Identity.
Mr. Keving Fong Lee said that initially Hmong Brisbane youth are not sure or don't know much about what to expect or what are going to be discussed or what to do at the workshop, but they attend anyways.
Tou Saiko Lee has shown us how to write songs in a way that can showcase Hmong culture, history, identity and language for instance, Hmong like eating chop and boiled dish, eating rice with water, living at the mountain top etc.
In this workshop, they have chance to talk about themselves, shares ideas, sing songs, and have a lot of fun together.
There are Hmong Brisbane youth, three of Hmong bands namely, Generation Link, Highest, and Solo singer Va Yang who raised their hand and want to participate and sing or contribute entertainment for this workshop, unfortunately Va Yang did not make it due to health issue.
This workshop which Hmong Inspiration Association set up in-coordination with Tou SaiKo Lee, is really good one, because it is the first time a Hmong rapper and Hip Hop singer from other western countries especially the US where Hmong reside , actually come and sing or share ideas about how to write song which representing different aspects about Hmong.
Mr. Fong Lee said that it is an eye opening event that can inspire Hmong youth to reach for their fullest potential. It could change Hmong youth's way of thinking and change their mindsets in figuring out different ways of doing useful things for themselves and for Hmong communities, which will make us proud to be Hmong in order to take Hmong communities to the next level.
He believes that Hmong are very talented and if we are focused and have visions or a missions and helping each other out, we can actually fulfill our potential and do something benefits to communities. But if we don't try anything or do anything differently out of our comfort zones and think outside the boxes, there will be no changes or no progresses made. Therefore, Mr. Kevin Fong Lee said that if there is any events that are relating to Hmong or representing Hmong communities, he would like Hmong people to participate and see if we can do anything about it or can contribute for the benefits of Hmong community as a whole.
One of the most important thing that Mr. Kevin has learnt from this workshop with Tou Saiko Lee is that, he said, "we should be very humble for whatever we do and what we do actually representing."
Mr. Fong Lee said that though his organization is focusing mainly on doing research about the know how and knowledge sharing, so Hmong youth can help themselves dealing with their studies or work and leadership skills or skills necessary preparing themselves for present time, there are also other aspects that they are tapping in especially teaching Hmong language.#
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