The Melting Pot
- The Lee family arrives in America in 1980. They live in Portland for two years before moving to their current home in Merced, California.
- Naturally, they go through some serious culture shock. Even things we take for granted like electricity and refrigeration are new to them. Though they eventually figure that stuff out, they never make too big an effort to adopt American culture.
- This is very different experience than, say, that of European immigrants who arrive in the early 20th century. These workers were given "free, compulsory 'Americanization' classes" that helped them learn English, adjust to their new home, and get familiarized with American culture (14.4). Which is helpful, if also a little overbearing.
- Of course, the Hmong wouldn't have assimilated even if they had taken Americanization courses. The Hmong want independence—if they had their way, they'd live in self-sufficient communities and wouldn't even need to interact with any Americans, refrigerators or no.
- No can do. To counteract that type of community, the U.S. government distributes Hmong refugees across the United States rather than to a few specific areas where they could band together. Which is of course seen as a disaster, given the tight clan structure of Hmong society.
- These new arrivals also face plenty of racism and xenophobia. Hmong are referred to as "primitive" and there are even instance of anti-Hmong hate crimes (14.27).
- Despite their much-avowed toughness, the Hmong rarely fight back. This is partly due to the Hmong's nature to avoid conflict. Or it might be due to their fear of the American prison system. After all, that might be where the ghosts and dinosaurs are kept…
- In the early '80s, many Hmong families left their scattered homes "and joined relatives in other cities" (14.50). Most ended up in California.
- Though there are plenty of Hmong with solid jobs—especially among the generation born in America—unemployment is a serious problem for the community.
- This leads to an awful catch-22. On one hand, they love nothing more than self-sufficiency and wish they could provide for their own families. On the other, many lack (or feel like they lack) the skills needed to make money, which forces them to rely on welfare to survive.
- However, there are others who are under the impression that welfare is the United States' payment for their service in the Quiet War. To them, it's veterans' benefits. Hey, however you want to slice it.
- Many in the older generation still "dream of returning" to Laos (14.80). The impossibility of this only makes it more heartbreaking.
- Plus, this leads to a disconnect between generations. The older generation feels lost in America; the younger generations feels like it's the only home they've ever known, even if they don't really fit in.