Reclaiming and Redefining the #HmongAmericanMilestone for 2020 and Beyond
By: Freedom Inc., Community Power Coalition, Fi-Cpc
Tags: Hmong, Hmong American, Fresno, Asian American, 2020 Census

By Freedom Inc. Community Power Coalition

The horrific events that took place this past week in Fresno have left our Hmong American community shocked, saddened, deeply hurt and in need of healing. In the aftermath of all that has happened, the portrayal by mainstream media outlets of our Hmong community experiencing its first “American Milestone” is deeply problematic and has re-opened wounds that generations of Hmong have had to endure for as long as we’ve called America home.

The headline reinforces the harmful notion of our Hmong community as being separate or “other” from mainstream American culture. It also overlooks and belittles all of the real milestones our Hmong American community has accomplished thus far. That is why Hmong social media pages like Hmong American Experience (HAE) and Hmong United for Justice (HUJ) have decided to take back the phrase “(Hmong)American Milestone” and redefine it.

Our coalition, the Freedom Inc. Community Power Coalition, chooses to do the same. We set out to reclaim and redefine #HmongAmericanMilestone by asserting that our greatest milestones as a Hmong community have yet to be realized. We are looking forward to the year 2020 and beyond, where our Hmong community can actively work towards the milestones that would take our community to a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and realize their potential. This requires nothing less than being involved on the front lines.

Here are the #HmongAmericanMilestones that we hope to accomplish as a Hmong Community:

A full and complete count of our Hmong and Southeast Asian communities during the 2020 Census (starting this March)

Record voter turnout among our Hmong and Southeast Asian communities during the 2020 Elections (April Presidential Primary and the November Presidential Election)

Record number of Hmong and Southeast Asian legal permanent residents successfully applying for their Citizenship

An increasing number of Hmong and Southeast Asian elected officials occupying local, state and national office and working for the betterment of their communities

Thriving Hmong and Southeast Asian neighborhoods that are free of violence and full of opportunity for personal, educational and professional advancement

A world where Hmong women, girls and LGBTQ+ folx can be free from gender-based violence

We must stress that these milestones can only be achieved when our entire community is committed to community empowerment. We all need to do our part to ensure that this world does better by our community, especially those who are most affected by injustice.

In 2020, let’s get everyone counted; let’s vote in record numbers; let’s help our friends and family apply for citizenship; let’s encourage regular folks to run for office; let’s build true solidarity with Black folks and other People of Color; and let’s continue to challenge patriarchy in all its forms. This upcoming year is not the year to stay on the sidelines. We invite you to get involved and be a part of this movement; help our community reach a new #HmongAmericanMilestone together.