Mother of Writing | Niam Ntawv | Shong Lue Yang

Hmong does NOT mean Free

In this short article by L. H. Thao, he challenges author Sucheng Chan's definition of what Hmong means. Chan's book, Hmong Means Free , has been widely read and the meaning of Hmong has been accepted without question. Thao disagrees with Chan's definition and urges Hmong people to be more skeptical when it comes to defining who they are. He says, "Hopefully future researchers and educators who wish to publish an article or a book about the "Hmong" would carefully consider its correct meaning and usage. Although many authors meant well, we as researchers and educators need to do more research before accepting something to be true. "

Inspired by this challenge, we will make an attempt to define what we think it means to be "Hmong." We hope that it will spark conversation which can lead to a better definition of what "Hmong" means. We will make this definition short and sweet. We believe that at the very basic level, an individual must acknowledge that he or she is Hmong with these three simple words, "Kuv Yog Hmoob." This sounds pretty simple, but you would be surprise that there are Hmong born individuals out in the world who distance themselves and do not identify with being Hmong.

Even if you think the Hmong community will not except you because you don't speak Hmong, or your significant other is not Hmong, or you are not born Hmong, we believe that being able to proudly say, "I am Hmong" in whatever language you feel comfortable with is the first step to being Hmong. There is power in the spoken word. When you speak, you control how you are defined.