The promised land: Socioeconomic adjustment of the Hmong in Milwaukee, 1976–2000
Author(s):
Lo, Fungchatou T.
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
Ph.D.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 2000.
Pages:
329
Language:
English
Abstract:
The Hmong people have a proverb saying, “Qiv luag toj yug yaj, qiv luag tais rau ntxhais; qiv luag ncauj hais zaj, qiv luag xaiv hais cai.” In translation it means, “You are raising your children on foreigners' lands, speaking their languages and following their laws.” This is precisely the focus of this research. It investigates the socioeconomic adjustment of the Hmong refugees in American society. Specifically, I used Assimilation Theory to gauge how far the Hmong have assimilated into the American culture in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To achieve this purpose this study looks at how the Hmong refugees are rebuilding their lives, and at what factors have helped some Hmong adapt more successfully than others. As one of the states where access to education and public assistance is abundantly available, Wisconsin has achieved the third highest Hmong population in the nation. Being Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee also has the greatest Hmong population. Therefore, Milwaukee is the ideal place to implement this study rather than in smaller cities like Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Appleton, or Green Bay. This dissertation also compares the Hmong with the Cuban and the Laotian refugees. The Hmong, Cuban and Laotian refugees are three very different ethnic groups, but they all came to the United States for political asylum. They have all experienced prejudice, discrimination, unemployment, language barriers, and social isolation. However, because they each have their own unique backgrounds and support systems, they each had their own ways of rebuilding their lives in American society. With an existing community in Florida and in other parts of the country them, Cuban refugees were able to overcome many of the social, economic and political barriers and become successful entrepreneurs and politicians. As for the Hmong and the Laotians, they are still facing many adjustment problems because most of their formal educational training, business skills, and political leadership was not transferable to American society. As a result, they are still struggling to find their place in the Promised Land. This study uses a qualitative research method. The data collection for this research includes oral histories, participant observations, and personal interviews with selected Hmong individuals living in Milwaukee. Some quantitative data were also collected and used to increase the understanding of the Hmong population. However, the primary data are from the ethnographic approach.