|
Sarah M. | Gabby |
Izzy S. | Maggie
| Benjamin | Nate |
Pao | Martha | Alex
| Pakou | Dylan
| Erika | Cristina
| Tim | Thomas
Laos:
I think it is very important to show that farming was very,
very important [to the Hmong], because then people will imagine
how hard it was to go to a big, fenced-in camp [in Thailand]
where you can’t farm.
Outside, there should be a big photo on the wall [to show]
how green and pretty the landscape is.
Thailand:
Most important is to show how, [even with] so many changes,
culture and tradition [were] preserved.
–Sarah M.
Laos:
I think one of the most important things is for people to
see how self-sufficient the Hmong were.
Thailand:
On the walls, show a barbed wire fence to show [that] they
couldn’t get out.
Have a mail house with letters from the Hmong in America saying
how weird and different [life] was in America.
USA:
The most important thing is to say the children live in two
different worlds every day.
We could have a school room to teach us some Hmong, like an
ESL class only HSL(!)
–Gabby
Thailand:
In the refugee camp there would be a house, cooking storage
for the food and people could see how little food the Hmong
refugees would get in a day.
USA:
To cross over [to America] there could be a little room [like
an] airplane and there could be tapes of people speaking in
a different language [to show how confusing it must have been].
The house would show the components of Hmong and American
culture and how they intertwined when the Hmong came to America.
–Izzy S.
Laos:
It’s most important, I think, that they learn about
the houses. They were made of bamboo, no carpets, no couches,
nothing modern. There were [very] different jobs/chores. That’s
why I gave [Laos] more space.
Thailand:
They should learn about how hard it was in Thailand, with
no jobs or money, being fenced in and how scary it was. But
they should also learn the positive side: the games, the happinesses.
USA:
They should learn about the difficult change the Hmong people
made when they came here. Perhaps, afterwards, they should
feel like they [just] came from Laos to Thailand to America.
–Maggie
Thailand:
The most important thing is that there were troubles and good
things in the camps.
USA:
[There could be a store where] you shop but the labels and
everything are in Hmong.
–Benjamin
Laos:
The second stop should be the rice pounding area so they could
learn to pound rice the old-fashioned way.
Thailand:
The camps were not at all fun with lack of food and things
to do.
It would be a good idea for kids to learn about how when the
Hmong came they weren’t greeted by a five-star hotel
but just dirt.
–Nate
Laos:
Visitors should learn that Hmong life was hard and there was
lots of war.
Thailand:
One thing people should learn is that life in Thailand was
very boring.
USA:
They should learn that Hmong means being free.
–Pao
Laos:
I tried to make [my ideas] respectful so if a Hmong person
came in they wouldn’t think the exhibit was stupid.
–Martha
Thailand:
The single most important thing is to make sure visitors understand
the differences between an immigrant and a refugee.
–Alex
Laos:
The war is the most important thing visitors should learn
about Hmong life in Laos.
Thailand:
[Visitors should learn] how the Hmong became refugees and
where the refugees settled [after leaving Thailand]
USA:
Gardening and needlework [are important] because [you] garden
to get food and you can sell the needlework and get money.
(Suggesting a hands-on activity) I would go with dancing.
I don’t think it is easy for American people to do,
but for the Hmong it’s easy.
–Pakou
Laos:
[It’s important] to show what Hmong life was like before
the war and the camps.
In the games section there should be room to [actually] play
the games.
There should be enough room to tell, in depth, about Shamanism.
USA:
[It’s important for people to understand] the difficulties
the Hmong have in America due to language barriers and cultural
differences.
There should be a normal Hmong kid’s bedroom with some
Hmong things and American things in it.
–Dylan
Laos:
The most important thing I need to get across is that the
Hmong were happy in Laos and REALLY didn’t want to move.
USA:
[The exhibit should show] a summary of what the trip [to America]
was like and the changes the Hmong had to go through! Which
were a lot.
[It’s important] to show the FULL journey and that the
Hmong are also quite happy here.
–Erika
Laos:
Two very important things visitors need to know are who are
the Hmong and that they are very nice and don’t make
much trouble. I picked Tub Lub and sticks and rock because
I know they are Hmong games because we’ve been playing
them with our Hmong friends.
Thailand:
I think the most important things are family, health, shelter,
and food because all of this stuff is very important to your
life and health. I put the fence in because I didn’t
really know what else to put in for the refugee camp but I
think it is very important. I added a flute because I remember
what Dang Yang said about carving flutes for fun.
USA:
The most important thing is that Hmong [culture has much]
in common with us and we can relate and communicate.
Celebrations are very hard, especially in a different country
[where] you can’t get the things you want [for celebrations].
Culture is what made you. It’s your whole life.
–Cristina
Laos:
The Hmong home in Laos is back-to-back with the refugee house
and a doorway allows one to compare the two.
Thailand:
People could play school, draw water from the well, get rations
and mail and, hopefully, get a good idea of [life in the]
Thai refugee camps.
–Tim
Laos:
I think the way they were just peacefully living in Laos,
repeating traditions and making [new ones] is something visitors
should learn.
USA:
[Visitors should learn that Hmong] culture is really close
to yours.
–Thomas
|
