Vang Pao Case Bridges Hmong Generational Divide
New America Media, Commentary, Mai Der Vang, Posted: Jun 18, 2007
Editor’s note: The arrest of General Vang Pao and nine other men on charges of plotting to overthrow the government of Laos caused shock waves in California’s Hmong community. Younger Hmong Americans, with less connection to the history Vang represents, viewed his arrest with apathy or fear of being tarnished by association. One possible outcome may be something Vang Pao never achieved prior to his arrest—a genuine dialogue between two very different generations. NAM commentator Mai Der Vang is a youth media coordinator in Fresno.
FRESNO, Calif.--Around 7 a.m. on June 11, one week after General Vang Pao and nine of his alleged associates were arrested and accused of plotting a coup against the Lao government, I received an agitated phone call from my father. In my half-awake stupor, I heard him urging me to attend that day’s demonstration in support of Vang Pao.
Even before his frantic reminder, I had planned to attend. I wondered, Could Vang Pao do under indictment what he couldn’t do all those years as a revered Hmong leader—unite the generations?
My father shares the view of many Hmong elders—that Vang Pao’s arrest represents a turning point for the Hmong people, and that our very legacy is at stake.
Most of the elders believe Vang Pao had a legitimate motive, that Laos was once our country too, and that the ongoing genocidal acts against Hmong in Laos must cease.
Many young Hmong, on the other hand, fear the charges against Vang Pao will tarnish the community’s reputation for generations to come. Many were born and raised in this country, and identify America as their primary homeland. Some shun Vang Pao for creating a new label for Hmong people--“terrorist”.
I, too, am a young Hmong born and raised in this country. If you ask me, the generations are not as far apart as they appear to be. If young Hmong had more knowledge of Hmong history they might be better able to empathize with the concerns and views of the older generation.
Many have never heard the war stories of parents, aunts, and uncles having to trek through dark and dangerous jungles in order to reach safety in Thailand. Many do not know about the treacherous Secret War, when the U.S. recruited Hmong men to fight against communism in Laos. They do not know that for every American soldier who died in that war, ten Hmong soldiers’ lives were lost.
Sadly, many young Hmong are not aware of the sacrifices made by parents and elders. Perhaps this is due to the lack of dialogue between parents and children. I have struggled in communication with my elders, sometimes going months without meaningful conversation with my parents or grandparents, despite living under the same roof for much of my life.
The pressure to adapt, to change ourselves and conform to American ideals, is an ever-present challenge in young Hmong people’s lives. Some say we have to leave the past behind in order to move forward. But I believe the Vang Pao case offers a chance to resurrect our past in order to achieve reconciliation and closure, which could ultimately help us move forward for good.
I believe much of our past is linked to our present state, which cannot be ignored in the case of those Hmong in Laos who continue to endure genocidal acts and extreme human rights abuses at the hands of the Lao military. Many young Hmong do not realize these current political conditions were created by a war that the U.S. started decades ago, but never seemed to finish.
From the elders’ perspective, our past evokes memories of a lost motherland and the continued search for a place to call home. I recently asked my mother what she would do if the opportunity to return to Laos was presented. If political conditions improved, she responded, she would choose to return. The terrain of the United States, she explained, could never compare to the natural beauty of the Lao highlands.
Now, as hearings for the Vang Pao case begin, many young Hmong may continue to linger in apathy—the past remains something to be left behind. It disheartens me that they fail to realize the implications this case has for their culture and their history.
Yet the views of young and old both are necessary to create the momentum needed for a real intergenerational dialogue. Parents and elders need to make a concerted effort to tell the history and stories to their children, and children should feel inclined to ask, listen, and learn.
Since the arrests occurred, I have been asking my parents more questions, wanting to know their side of the story, and where they stand on the issues the case has raised. I am also taking the initiative to educate the younger generation of my clan by bringing them together to dialogue and learn about our history.
Speaking on the phone with my father that morning, we both realized this was a fragile situation for both generations, and thus we began our dialogue.
Related Stories:
Leader in Trouble: 'Hmong Unite Like Never Before'
Laos' Secret Drug War Lives On
Vang Pao Case Highlights Hmong Community’s Losses
Alleged Coup Plot Leaves Hmong Americans in Limbo
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User Comments
alex lee on Jun 26, 2007 at 15:55:50 said:
To all the young’s hmongs peoples, it doesn’t matter if you are a Vang, Lee, Moua; Lo… we all have to stick together for one last time to save our father.
For the last 30 years and so, we were just like a back ground noise that nobody cares about.
Today our father and leaders have sacrificed them self to give us the opportunity to step up and show to the all world who we really are. He and all the leaders have sacrificed them self so we can open other people eyes to look at what still going on in LAOS.
It’s doesn’t matter any more what our father and all the others are trying to do, because today they have win our hearts, they have show us they love, there love to the hmongs peoples, today I would like to ask all the hmongs nation to come as one and let the Laos government know that they are wrong to be happy on our father GENERAL VANG PAO arrest.
Because today all GVP children’s have grow up and with more knowledge then they use to be, today we will be more dangerous than what our father GVP was, we will not use violence, we will not use weapons, we will not kill like these Lao communist, but we will use the world to take them down, we will use the world to show what are there real faces, these liar faces, these murder faces, these evil faces!!!!!
Please to all of you, brothers and sisters HMONG come out and help free our father and the others, please come support them.
To the ones that don’t agree with this S-O-S call, please remember that our father General Vang Pao is 77 years old now and he have health problems.
All the things that he has done are not for him but for all the Hmong peoples that still remain in the jungle of Laos.
Just think and ask you self, if our father the general Vang Pao have that mush money and selfish like a lot of people said why don’t he just enjoy that money till the rest of his life? Why will him put him self to that kind situation?
Alex Lee on Jun 25, 2007 at 14:43:54 said:
Reply to Mai on Jun 19, 2007 at 12:16:25:
Mai, Mai, Mai where have you been? Peace and love are not the thinks that you can ask for in Laos and especially if you are Hmong on these days.
Have you ever been a leader of any things in your life? Believe me it’s very, very hard!!
General Vang Pao our father have try every thing that he could in the past 32 years to stop these killing, he have try to contact all kind of legal organization to help to stop the genocide but as you may know no one want to help him.
I am just a Hmong guy grow up in this country and like you I use to believe in justice peace and love, I use to think that this is probably the most beautiful country, and the true is this is still the most beautiful country, but how this country get to be so powerful and so perfect, by stopping every one that stand in front of them with force or other think that I won’t mention, you just have to look at every day news and you will find out by yourself since you are so smart.
You know I never thought that I could care so much about hmong peoples, until that day were I saw the tape “hunting like animal”.
You know what I saw on that tape? I saw that every faces in that tape look like my face, every kids in that tape look like my kids, and I start to cry and ask my self Why?
Now would you go and ask all these people that are still in the jungle of Laos if they have fear for God?
Believe me they’re probable have more fear for death than Good, and believe me they only hope is General Vang Pao not YOU, not ANOTHER LEADER, NOT GOD but the only man that they always trust and he is “GENERAL VANG PAO”.
For myself I just want to ask you a favor, can you please look at the tape “hunting like animals” and once again since you are so smart you can probably be able to find it in the web, and when you saw that tape can you please look at yourself in the mirror and tell me what you see behind all these make up.
Sheng from Sac on Jun 23, 2007 at 21:25:15 said:
Laos gov\'t (LPDR) is really the Vietnam Communist party, who overthrown the Laos royalty in 1975. The Vietnamese Prime Minister was a guest at the White House on 6/20 sacbee.com/836/story/237514.html
THe US is still doing business with him, reagardless of his acts against innocent humans. So the Us is fiancially supporting this govt, and now Vietnam is more comfortable to increase their violence, knowing that it does not affaect their business and relationship with the US. Who are the real criminals? And why arrest VangPao now? The Govt knew of his plot for 30 yrs. The govt is showing the Viet govt that they are supportive and interested in their business relation, so arresting someone like Vang Pao makes their business partner VERY happy, and a happy busines partner = $ savings.
xyooj on Jun 22, 2007 at 14:50:03 said:
I believe GVP's the one who carries our pain and the burdens. He's the one who holds us together, well most of us. He's the one who those in the jungles call for. So I'm proud of him. He gave his name out and he represents the Hmong therefore I also believe he carries all the hatred people have for us. He also sacrifices many things.
Thai Vue on Jun 21, 2007 at 20:41:35 said:
It is so wonderful to see Hmong young and old speak out from their hearts. You are Hmong and speak proudly as a Hmong person. Your parents either brought you here all the way from Laos or Thailand or gave birth to you here. Whatever the case, speak and act from your heart, stand tall as a Hmong and be proud of yourself. No one will like you until you like yourself. You are not just here, a lot of bloodshed that made it possible for you to live here. Open your eyes and ears and take action as you see. American is probably the only place for you to express your feeling without prosecution. I am proud to be a Hmong American! Vang Pao is our hero, keep him in your thought and pray. Want to discuss more about being a Hmong, email me.
Mainkao Kong on Jun 21, 2007 at 20:15:04 said:
General Vang Pao is our leader.....
the helps of hmong people has been forgotten years and years.....
VANG PAO IS OUR LEADER WE MUST STAND FOR HIM AND SUPPORT HIM TO THE END.....
paul/h. on Jun 21, 2007 at 09:45:05 said:
I think those HMONG/LAOTIAN people that hate GVP just turned the table around for him(GVP)to sit. No matter what happens to him or his men, I'm still every proud of them and I support them all the way.
Kuv xav tias GVP yuav tsis nruam npaum li sawv daws xav. Nej xav tias nyob ntiaj teb no puas muaj ib tug NOM coj nws cov neeg tuaj rau USA. Peb yuav nco ntsoov cov nyob thiab cov es tuag lawm txiaj ntsig.
There's no land left for HMONG to live in. The country that you are living now is your country. Do not hope to have a country of your own.
Vam Neeb Yaj on Jun 21, 2007 at 07:30:01 said:
Why the innocent people is in the jail and the killer is free? if the general is qulty why should the lao government too? they hunt the hmong chao fa like people hunt animal for 32 year to now, is that nothing wrong? so general is not wrong too. I would like all the American citizens to open your eyes and pray for the rigth and judgstice.
G.Xiong on Jun 20, 2007 at 17:49:24 said:
To be honest, weapons and murder, killings isn't the way to solve a problem, but the plans of overthrowing the Lao government and killing people.. well those are stilll allegations. But then again, i can understand why ammunition could be sent to the Hmongs in the jungle. They're living off roots and leaves, a diet which I think won't last them long enough, and they're being raped and killed. Also, they have no weapons, except for those they saved from the Vietnam war and those fromt he dead soldiers. But they're not using it to kill the Laos Soldiers, but to protect them selves. Gosh, I have so many things going on in my mind and I can't really write what I'm trying to say because everythings so fustrating. VP, yes maybe he's done a few things here and there, but come on, anyone who has had anything to do with the military has done at least something wrong here and there. You might not look up to him as a leader, but are you trying to make a difference? Ask yourself that? Think about it. At least he's willing to give a fighting chance. Also, things are getting worse in laos, and VP, well everyone's depending on him and complaining to him, If I were him, I'd say yes to any opportunity. I'd also be stressed out from all the pressure people are putting on him. Not only that, He's getting old. What if VP never existed? How did we even get to the U.S.? I'm not saying that I'm right, but it saddens me to know that there are Hmong people who don't support him but we all have our own oppinions i guess. In all, all i know is that i'll be supporting VP and the others all the way. It's thanks to them I'm able to get an education and live a wonderful life. It's thanks to them I exist. It's thanks to them, I have something to be proud of.
One more thing, I'd like it if some people would at least take a look at the videos/documentaries of the people in Laos and see how they live. If you go to Youtube, you might find some things. A famous one would be "Hunted Like Animals". I warn you, it's pretty bad, I could barely watch it.
Thanks again for letting me write my opinion out here. I'm sorry if I offended anyone of you. I happy to hear others oppinions. And I'm sorry if I'm a bit stubborn. Once again, thank you.
alicia anger/cha on Jun 20, 2007 at 11:03:02 said:
I believe he had the right intentions in his heart but the actions that he chose was wrong.
neng yang on Jun 20, 2007 at 07:42:32 said:
Well, I like to shared a fews of my thoughs. Well, firstly we all know that Gen. Vang Pao is at a very old ages, were times is very limited for him. It is not much to what he can or can't do, UN, and US has turned their back completely on him. So in order for him to get their attention back is to get cuaght and went to court. A person as smart as Gen. Vang Pao wouldn't get cought that easily, unless he has a purpose. A purpose to turned the tables around, a purpose to turned Laos into democracy, a purpose to free our Hmong peoples that are still live in the jungles, a purpose to proved that in this day the Laos Gov. has denies any genocidal acts and extreme human rights abuses at the hands of the Lao military agianst the Hmong peoples whose work with CIA during the Vietnam War are still active. Perhaps, he wanted to proved to the world that he is right. Second, as Mai mention about a leader who cares equally about all Hmong, a leader who is righteous, a leader who is wise, and most importantly a leader who fears God. Yes it's true, but, also a greatest leader is requires have loves,braverly,comimments, and the most importants of all it self sacrifices, that is the hardest thing that words can not express of loves/cares. So here he is Gen. Vang Pao and his mens, this is the very last chioce that he have to do is sacrifice himself for our freedom, our hopes, our futures to paved the way to saves his peoples from being genocide. We as a Hmong should be proud to have such a great leader him. Now the Laos Gov. should realizes that if Gen. Vang Pao is going to court, he maybe end up behide bars, but he will reviels that the Laos Gov. have broken the NEUTRALITY ACT, and the genocide are true, then thier Gov. will faces dangers, what faces will they have, who will be the victories, and who will end up in HELL.
I just sharing my though, if I have offend anyone I'm in my comments, I am sincerely apology.
Lao on Jun 20, 2007 at 06:52:26 said:
Mai, you have touched the very raw nerves that needs to be touched. This IS the time for young and old generations to come together. Regardless of whether you see VP as your leader or not, he was the one who opened the door, and gave you the chance at a life full of opportunities. Many of the youths today do not know of what VP has done for us, however big or small. When I first heard of this, I thought entrapment. I mean, how could a bunch of old guys have enough funds and enough people to overthrow a country that we once called home but was never our homeland? It doesn't make sense that VP could even attempt anything this large without the backup of the US government. When I heard of the rally right after his arrest, I told myself that I was going to attend this rally, because I am Hmong, even though I do not support VP 100%, I still respect him and what he has done for me, simply because I AM HMONG! Regardless of the truth of these allegations, we have to stick as ONE! The media has already portrayed us as a divided group, cause enough for them to look down upon us. I, for one, will support this Hmong cause, because whether I like it or not, whether VP is innocent or guilty of these charges, I AM still HMONG and nothing will ever change that, and just because I am Hmong, I will be looked down upon because of this so I will not be complaining about this issue at home but will taking part in this case. You can take a Hmong person out of his/her culture/heritage, but you can never take the Hmong-ness out of a Hmong person! Don't ever forget that! It doesn't matter if you have dyed your hair a different color or change your skin color, the blood running within you is still HMONG! VP may not be liked by many which is due cause to those people wanting to replace him in his fame, but that is not cause to not support your brothers, sisters, and friends.
For once, I would like all HMONG, young and old, to forget our differences, the differences that we have picked up living here in the US, to forget the hatred/envy/jealousy we may have for each other, to come together and fight for the same cause, for our future as Hmong Americans. We don't have a place to call home anymore and we have made the US our home. It is time we take our responsiblities into our own hands and make ourselves known to the world, that we are not terrorist but just another group who is trying to find their place in the world. Like a child seeking the love of parents. We still have alot of growing yet and we need to come together and put aside our differences to grow stronger. If we let this divide us even further, I don't know if anything will be able to bring us all back together again!
I am Hmong on Jun 20, 2007 at 04:23:27 said:
Who can answer the question: What/how is it that the very same government was once used million of dollars/resources to support the White Star to fight Pathe Lao government, but now that very same government arrests and put the White Star in jail for fighting Pathe Lao government? Here is my guess, the fight is still go on but the rules have been changed. I, too, fight Pathe Lao government but not with AK-47, but fight with helping the young generation in Laos to be better educated, better business, and better living, etc. This is the fight we can all benefit from no matter which side you are in. I went there to visit...I fell in love with the land, I saw the suffering of all little people of all ethic group. I just don't see how destroying everything and declaring a victory at the end will do any good. To be the leader today, it is required to see through the eyes of suffering-little ordinary people. Give them the support and they will build a beautiful Laos for all of us to visit and enjoy for years to come.
HmoobXyooj on Jun 19, 2007 at 19:30:55 said:
They haven't done any wrong. If a person can be prosecuted for having thoughts, everyone will be criminals. There were thousands of Hmong Americans protesting against Normalize Trade Relation (NTR)of the USA with Laos, but US government officials look the other way not wanting to see that the communist laotians are killing the Hmong people in Laos. How can a country such as America which has been fighting for people\'s right to exist since its founding, granted communist Laotians the materials to exterminate the Hmong people in Laos? How can the greatest democratic nation (USA)on Earth have peace with a communist nation like Laos that is killing people within its border. Vang Pao is the greatest hero to fight democratic principles in Southeast Asia. To me, the fundamental of this whole case is whether the Hmong people have the right to save their brothers and sisters from extermination in Laos. Is the humans\' created Neutrality Act of the US greater than the natural law of a people\'s right to live in peace? When a humans\' law contridict a natural law, the human\'s created law must be amended!
Jonah Andi on Jun 19, 2007 at 15:59:53 said:
Like Hmong and many other tribes from Laos and Lao people themselves, those (born in Laos/from Laos) laotian people as a whole should not be divided - we are all in it together. Laos is not your country nor mine, but the original people or true-citizen of Laos. I'm an American, Laos is where my motheer was born... She (a Ta-oy tribe, orignal people of Laos , not immigrant to laos like some other tribes some 2oo hundred years ago. My mother always want us to call ourselves American, not Ta-Oy Lao, or Lao. Some other tribes from Laos do not want to assimulate,they can curve out their own country her in America, good luck!
Tsis tseeb on Jun 19, 2007 at 13:29:14 said:
Poeple just want General die so they can take his place or the Hmong has no face.
Mai Der on Jun 19, 2007 at 13:04:36 said:
Reply to Mai on Jun 19, 2007 at 12:16:25:
Mai, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Keep in mind these are still "allegations", so we don't know for sure if he was going to "overthrow" Laos. Everything is alleged.
And you are right, I personally condemn violent war acts such as what he is being alleged with, but my understanding is that he did attempt peaceful negotations with the U.S. government with the U.N., lobbied Congress, etc.
No luck whatsoever.
Mai on Jun 19, 2007 at 12:16:25 said:
Come on be realistic. You can praise General Vang Pao for what he did in the past, but do you really think what he did was right? Do you think that sending ammunitions to his people in Lao’s to take down the current government, was going to save the innocent lives of those who still live there? What Vang Pao did only put them in more danger. If he really wanted to protect the Hmong in Lao’s he should have voiced his concern to congress and have some negotiation with the Lao government. Most of you tend to forget what’s right from wrong, because of your pride for Vang Pao. Yes, Lao was a country that all of our elder loved and grew up in, but rightfully it was never our country to begin with. Does that mean we, the new generation of Hmong, born and raised in America, should overthrow the American government because this is our country? No. This leader, whom you all claim to be General Vang Pao, is not well liked by many Hmong Americans. We need a leader who cares equally about all Hmong, a leader who is righteous, a leader who is wise, and most importantly a leader who fears God. For any one who fears God will not be corrupted or indulge in sinful deeds and/or acts.
G. XIONG on Jun 19, 2007 at 11:12:04 said:
General Vang Pao is a wonderful man who has done nothing wrong. The only thing he may be guilty of is having loyalty and trust for one another. I myself is a Hmong youth. I\'m a little upset that some of us don\'t understand the situation or what\'s happening to out people in Laos and thailand. I\'m also upset to hear that there are some people who are angry or disagree with General Vang Pao, but I have to respect their opinions. In this comment, I\'d like to say whats on my mind and I hope that I won\'t offend anyone. First off, I\'m angry at how people keep on trying to give VP a bad image by bringing up the past. The past is the past, why not worry about the genocide in Laos. At least VP is trying to do something and make a change. I believe VP was lead into this mess. In the past, the CIA brought up .. hey if you fight for us, you get protection.. we helped because we are loyal and trustful people. Even some vets agree that you can always relie on the Hmong for you know that you can always trust them. Now about the situation with VP in jail, it\'s been more that 30 years and we\'re all tired of that sick stuff the Lao army is doing to our people, therefore if someone who has some type of government relation comes up to you and ask if you\'d like to overthrow or find some way to help those suffering in the jungles of laos.. wouldn\'t you say yes since they were those who offered protection if we helped them fight in the war?
I\'m sorry I\'m just saying whats on my mind but I\'m sick and tired of what\'s going on in Laos. It saddens me. They\'re hunted down like animals and yes, there\'s proof. They\'re tired of always running and hiding. And I\'m tired of waiting too. But in all I\'m proud of everyone who is supporting VP and those who are participating in the rallies. I too participated a rally recently and if they\'re not going to do anything about those getting killed in Laos, at least free VP for us. To those who disagree or dislike VP and are Hmong, he might not have touched your life personally, but he opened up a world of opportunities for the Hmong. Appreciate it a little, I doubt you\'d even be here if it weren\'t for him.
wan. yang on Jun 19, 2007 at 07:55:52 said:
i think general doing this by reason, because he just want people around the world to see how bad the laos government did to his people after 1975 to today. because the war was over about 30 years why the killing still active?
elisaVue on Jun 18, 2007 at 23:52:51 said:
I think that this is stated very clear. It's like everyone said, its time for us to stick up for our people and love and care for each other. I think that General Vang Pao has done nothing wrong and it's not what Americans think, he was just trying to stand up for his country just like everyone else in this world. It's not fair if Americans is trying to protect there country or what so ever, then how come our General can't do the same for his country that he cares for the most. He lead the Hmong people to United States,but it's like others had said, no matter what he will be the greatest to all Hmong people and he just wanted to show that he cared for his people.
chao fa on Jun 18, 2007 at 18:56:05 said:
why do we have to trust the americans so much...we should be like those middle eastern....the americans only use vang pao to protect them...in the end, the americans turn back and cut vang pao's throat...theres no need to trust them american anymore...
LE VAN HONG PHUOC on Jun 18, 2007 at 12:33:36 said:
THAT'As A SHAME FOR AMERICANS TIoo ARREST VANG PAO,AN ANTI-COMMUNIST HERO
Lane on Jun 18, 2007 at 12:16:26 said:
mai,
great article, well stated! but i dont see how overthrowing laos will help hmong people progress amongst the global community. although vang pao may have had the right intentions, i also believe he was highly motivated by personal political reasons.
Gao Vang on Jun 18, 2007 at 10:40:28 said:
Thank you. Could not have conveyed this message better if I tried. Many of us relate to this issue but is unsuccessful in our attempts to express these feelings. Very well said.
Ka Wah Chan on Jun 18, 2007 at 09:51:10 said:
General Vang Pao and nine other men should tell the Judge in Court that "every" naturalized US citizen has been raised his/her right hand to take an oath to promise being loyalty to the United States of America and against the Communists under our US Constitution. Laos is still an anti-American Communist nation. Between the US CIA, Vietnam War veterans and Hmong there is always a tacit agreement and tacit understanding with the guerrilla combats and secret military missions to defend those left-behind Hmong refugees (women, children and elders) since the US troops had been pulled out from Vietnam War.
SoojTswvyim on Jun 18, 2007 at 09:23:33 said:
I think that General Wang Pao trust American all his heart, like we trust God. I also think that he leaves American alone because American theory is to use you and dump you after, not like East Asian people. This is a good lessson for VP and his Hmong/Mong not trust anybody all your heart.
nkaujnagthoj on Jun 18, 2007 at 07:38:59 said:
I think that General Vang Pao done nothing wrong to the people that lock him up. He's innocent from the bottom of our heart and no matter what happen his name will live on til enternity in our heart.
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