Hmong History and Cultural Studies
Description of Artwork: This picture captures the historical sad yet hopeful scene of Hmong families saying good-bye to family members from a bus with other Hmong refugees at a refugee camp in Thailand. The bus headed out from the camp will take them to the Bangkok airport where they will board a plane (as seen in the bus windows) for the United States. In the reflections of the bus, you will also notice the joyous memories of gatherings and daily activities in the camps. Image credit goes to Boon Ma Yang created specifically for the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum.
Introduction
This narrative serves as an introduction for teachers interested in teaching Hmong history and cultural studies. It is crucial for teachers not only to understand the materials themselves, but also to comprehend their perceptions of people who are Hmong, their experiences, histories, and communities. This curriculum will facilitate a better understanding of the diverse world that we live in and complicate monolithic narratives of people seen as “other” in the United States. Therefore, the goal of this introductory section is to frame the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum in a way that challenges how people who are Hmong have been portrayed in the United States and recenter their perspectives, knowledge, experience, and history.
