My thoughts exactly. I'm so sick of hearing Hmong people say "this is america" like they're model American citizens above others and that kidnapping and statutory rape doesn't already happen in this country. This guy's morals are socially frowned upon, but at least he was willing to take responsibility the way he knew. I don't condone his actions, and thankfully the parents did the right thing because I'm sure this marriage would eventually crash due to the cultural differences, but some of these "Hmong Americans" got to stop acting like a snob.
I disagree. Regardless of whether or not someone is a "model" American, the law is the law. This has nothing to do with someone viewing himself/herself above another; rather, it has everything to do with the fact that here in the United States, kidnapping someone is considered an illegal act that is punishable by law. This is regardless of whether the committer was White, Black, Hmong, or some other ethnicity.
Just because statutory rape happens in the United States doesn't mean it's okay to do it. Just because kidnapping happens in the United States doesn't mean it's okay to do it. All of those acts, if brought to the proper authorities, are investigated. If convicted and found guilty, the committers are sentenced to the appropriate punishment as allotted by the law. Following your logic, it would go to state that just because theft happens in Thailand, regardless of whether or not you condone my actions, it would be okay for me to steal from another Hmong person in Thailand; furthermore, that they shouldn't say anything about it because it already happens there anyway. Should they step up and call the authorities to report that I have stolen something from them, they should be viewed as "Hmong Thai Snobs" because their actions sided with protecting their best interest. How absurd is that?
What is wrong with our people in this country is the basic fact that they think that American Law does not apply to them because they are Hmong. Due to cultural stereotypes that have been passed from one generation to the next, most people are too scared to stand up for their rights; mainly woman. This is especially true because in the Hmong culture, women have no rights and are treated like chattel; bought and sold for a price.
As we become more integrated with American society, cultural biases will be tested; case in point, the action of this young man. If you read the story further, it states that he committed a similar crime to a thirteen year old victim. This is his second offense, that is publicly known, and is not acceptable. I would've thought he would've learned his lesson after the first time.
I, for one, am glad that this girl's parents are pressing charges. Someone needs to set the precedence that it is not okay to take our young Hmong daughters, sisters, and cousins against their wills to become someone's bride. If I'm not mistaken, where my parents came from, men old enough to be my grandfather could have someone as young as my little cousin kidnapped to be his bride for no other reason than because he wanted her. This is a very arbitrary way of thinking and archaic way of life.
Living here in America means that I have rights and freedoms. Those do, however, come with a price tag. I can, for the most part, do as I wish; practice whatever religion I'd like, speak to whomever I want, live wherever I please, do whatever I'd like for a living, etc. However, if I commit a crime that is illegal, I will have to pay the consequence of said crime. This applies to everyone. Hmong people are not excluded from this and are not exceptions to the law.
I am, by law, protected from criminal acts, like kidnapping and assault, and heinous crimes like domestic violence and rape...to name a few. I choose to exercise my rights as a Hmong American and file charges should any of these acts happen to me, a loved one, or a daughter if I have one someday. If you choose not to exercise your rights, that's your choice. That doesn't give you the right to call someone names because they're using rights that you are choosing to ignore.