Chia Youyee Vang discusses the resettlement of Hmong refugees in America (and elsewhere but mainly focusing on resettlement in the US) in “A New Home in America.” She discusses their first round of resettlement immediately after the war and then discusses the various reasons for secondary resettlement after arriving in America. I understand the US’ reason for scattering the Hmong in towns and cities away from other Hmong people. Of course it would be important to fully assimilate them into society so that they pose no extra burden for the government, or society. But I do think the US is overlooking the culture of the Hmong when they are making such a statement. Sometimes, I think it is due to this lack of understanding on America’s part that causes the US to overestimate the effectiveness of their actions. The experience the Hmong has with secondary resettlement is not unique to them. Other ethnic groups that migrated to the US, such as the Koreans, have moved around due to weather, economic opportunities, and lack of an ethnic community as well. The question I have now is: How are these primary, secondary, etc resettlements important in the construction of the Hmong community and identity? Does it effect the way the community remembers their experience in America and abroad post Secret war?
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