Monday, August 20, 2007

MN Worker

Many Hmong families work diligently to sell their crafts, flowers, fruits, and vegetables at the Farmers' Market. Hmong families often concentrate on agriculture and the men, women, and children all work together Whenever I see older men or women, I wonder about their life stories. I would love to know how this woman got to St. Paul, why did she leave her country, and whether or not her relatives are with her? Who sponsored her and her family? Because I have taught young students who came to our city in the first wave of Asian refugees, I know that some of the hardships they endured are often beyond our belief or imagination. For this woman I wish much happiness,good health, and prosperity in our city.

15 comments:

  1. I just read Wiki's entry on Hmong people. I'm tempted to order the book Hmong in Minnesota by Chia Vang, but I'll be a good girl and check the library first. Sigh... ;)

    (Their traditional dresses are so colorful!)

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  2. I love your post and narrative today. Maybe you should interview her :)

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  3. Very nice portrait of the woman - the lighting & her face.
    I remember when Hmong & Cambodians were resettled here in RI, most have turned into some of our finest neighbors.

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  4. You're not normally that retiring, Kate.
    Think Whatshisname Bell...

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  5. c'est un tres bon post, avec de tres bonnes questions. En ce moment, à Evry nous avons depuis peu une colonie turque, je me demande pourquoi d'un coup une communauté s'installe, tandis qu'une autre part dans une autre ville ?


    it is a very good post, with very good questions. In this moment, in Evry we have a Turkish colony recently, I wonder why of a blow a community settles, while an other share in another city?

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  6. First of all your caption touched me so much and I am proud I've ever had same feeling about immigrant that come here to work hoping to live decently and definitely better than in their countries.

    Then it's touching your photo too.

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  7. Very telling portrait. Keep up the good work, Kate.
    --steve buser
    New Orleans Daily Photo

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  8. A beautiful photograph. I needed to Google Hmong as I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard the word. Very interesting narrative. I wish this lady a good life.

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  9. wonderful portrait. And this is the first time I ever heard about Hmon. Thank you for sharing!

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  10. An interesting post, and a wonderful portrait.

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  11. Lovely portrait - such a face filled with experience.

    I bought some lovely Hmong handicrafts in Wisconsin.

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  12. Anonymous11:20 AM

    This is very nice, Kate. We helped Hmong refugees with English in LA back in the early '80s, and you're right, what they lived through was heartbreaking. We found them to be very resourceful friends.

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  13. Congratulations, you got incredible images...
    Send you a warm hug from Chile.
    Spring here is very near, even showing us her arms:)

    I have some images's blog, take a look if you want...
    Keep blogging

    PD I linked you, hope you dont mind:)

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  14. Anonymous10:57 AM

    beautiful, kate...

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