Seen plenty of second generation Hmong go through what this Hmong girl in Chico

[theking]

..goes through when I was in the Social Service field. I imagine even more so now with third and fourth generations... :

Am I Hmong enough? Students search for identity in diaspora


Some Hmong students at Chico State are third or fourth generation Americans who can’t speak or read their native language. Finding one’s identity as a minority in an assimilated community can make some students feel “not Hmong enough.”

Pa Vue, former student and Writing Center coordinator, created Hmong Legacy, an initiative to help Hmong students find their identity and foster a sense of community. The six-week immersive course celebrated Hmong literature and culture so Hmong students could learn about their heritage and make friends. 

It’s run by the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center and requires student leadership. Hmong Legacy debuted in 2017 as a pilot program but became official in spring 2018. However, this will be the last Hmong Legacy until a new student volunteers to facilitate it.

Asian students make up only 5.6% of Chico State’s 2021 enrollment, according to the university’s Demographic Dashboard.

Selena Thao, CCLC paraprofession al, was a freshman when she joined Hmong Legacy. She didn’t feel welcomed at Chico State.

“Am I Hmong enough? Am I American enough? Who am I,” Thao said.

She joined the organization to find a community. Hmong Legacy taught Thao how to be proud of her heritage and helped her come into touch with her personal identity.