L48 Anthro 3283 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Lusheng
Fadiman Ch. 16 (p. 225-249)
• Dumb Hmong stories were a staple of the agricultural community in Merced
• Merced’s Hmong constitute a far greater fraction of the local population
o Easy to find someone to marry from another clan, could find a txiv neeb or a qeej
(talks to the dead) easily, or a herbalist, or a clan elder
• Hmong test you every minute – one you pass the test, they are fantastic; in regards to
feeling comfortable around you and welcoming you
• Hmong have the best leadership, most committed to preserving their ethnic identity, most
conscious of their place in the world
• Dang Moua is the reason the Hmong came to Merced
o Used to live in Virginia
o Knew 5 languages, including English
• Hmong couldn’t get high end agricultural jobs because they didn’t know English, and
couldn’t get the low end ones because Mexican immigrants took them all
• At first treated as exotic guests, and then treated as refugees in a negative way
• Merced was never rich, the Hmong made it worse
o 79% Hmong received public assistance, compared to 18% of the other residents
o had a greater fraction of welfare than any other county in the state
• to make up for the millions of debt and funds needed, they stopped many public services
– such as closing libraries, ceasing the maintenance of parks, reducing staff for public
services, judges, sheriffs
• high rate of depression for Hmong refugees; doctor was surprised, said it was heaven for
them, had toilets and drink water from a faucet, get checks and never have to work; its
heaven for these people, poor souls
• Merced’s reaction to the Hmong is a matter of water swamping the boat, not a matter of
racism; only on occasion
o Many people in Merced confused the Hmong with the Vietnamese
• Hmong take pans to explain that they fought for the U.S., not against it
• They expected the Americans to be grateful for their military service; the Americans
expected them to grateful for their money; each resented the other for not acting that way
• Foua said she is afraid the welfare will go away; afraid to look for a job because she
could not do it; afraid they would not have food to eat
• Nao Kao said in Laos they had a farm and their own house, and now they don’t have that
and are poor
o Not an issue for them what the Americans thought of them for not working
• Merced had to build more schools to accommodate for the Asians in Merced and the
avoid overcrowding
• The Hmong children rarely caused disciplinary problems and regularly crowded the
honor rolls
o Merced’s Hmong children typical of the Hmong nationwide
o Hmong studied more and did better in school
o Parents eager to be involved even though there is a language barrier
o The Lee’s children did well in school
• Hmong gangs most likely to carry guns and use them
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