Hmong Studies Journal (Dec 2020)
Changes, Conflict, and Culture: The Status of Social-Cultural, Environmental, and Legal Challenges for Hmong Cultural Practices in Contemporary California
Abstract
Refugee resettlement is often a long and traumatic experience that can take years to fully overcome. The Hmong are an ethnic group that struggled to accustom to western society during their initial arrivals in the 1970s onward. Although they have made immense progress, many practices and perspectives still come at odds with those in the west. Many refugee interventions have failed to acknowledge the deep socio-cultural conflicts and challenges that arise within the host country. The Hmong’s adaptation in America is still an evolving situation where many are still learning to navigate their culture through the novel environment. Through an ethnographic study using narrative and comparative analysis between the Hmong in California and Thailand, this study explored the challenges and conflicts that continue from socio-cultural, environmental, and legal obstacles for cultural practices in contemporary California. Through the Hmong’s own personal narratives, the essay reveals that the Hmong still regularly encounter conflicts and challenges in funeral, spiritual, geomantic, and agriculture practices. Socio-cultural and legal barriers pose the greatest challenge from non-Hmong residents and state authorities who still do not recognize the Hmong traditions. Revealing continuing challenges may further support future initiatives to continue developing culturally relevant solutions for the Hmong and other refugee resettlements.
