Hmong Involvement in the Vietnam War - 1921 Words

Research Prà ©cis and Annotated Bibliography Hmong Involvement in the Vietnam War Literature Review Outline I. Introduction A. History of Hmong existence in America (Barr, 2005; Mote, 2004; Castle, 1993) B. Hmong Values (Moore, 2003; Moua, 1995) C. Conflicts between Hmong culture and American culture (Moua, 1995) II. Body A. History of Hmong existence in America 1. Secret Vietnam War in Laos (Barr, 2005; Castle, 1993; Murphy 1997) 2. Communists persecute Hmong in Laos (Castle, 1993; Barr, 2005) B. Hmong Values 1. Cultural identity (Moore, 2003) 2. Marriage (Moua, 1995; Millett, 2002) C. Conflicts between the Hmong culture and American culture 1. Religion: Animisit and Christianity (Moua, 1995) 2. Authority:†¦show more content†¦Today, 18 different Hmong clan names are still passed down from generation to generation. Hmong clan names are equivalent to American last names. First names identify people and last names identify clans. The 18 clans provide life-time membership and ongoing material and spiritual support to their members from birth to death. Newborns are given the father’s clan nam e, which they cannot change. For that reason, Hmong women retain their clan name when they get married (Moua, 1995). The foundation of Hmong life is marriage and family (Millett, 2002). An ancient ritual requires the groom to pay â€Å"a bride-price,† a negotiated sum of money paid to the bride’s parents. Hmong newlyweds live with the husband’s parents until they have two or more children. However, Hmong culture expects the last-born married son, his wife, and children to permanently live with, support, and care for his parents and grandparents until their death. Unfortunately, time-honored Hmong traditions are challenged by American culture. For example, there is conflict between Hmong Christians and Hmong Animists. Animists sacrifice animals to worship spirits; they believe â€Å"that all living things have spirits† (Brittan, 1997). Hmong Christians worship God and condemn animal sacrifice. As a result, Christianity altered traditional Hmong rituals and ceremonies. For instance, Christianity eliminated the payment of a bride priceShow MoreRelatedEssay American Interve ntion1723 Words   |  7 PagesThe U.S. going to war in Vietnam is also a great example of how the U.S. tried to impose American values on the â€Å"less fortunate.† Through understanding America’s so called â€Å"duty† in Vietnam one can interpret the intervention of American idealism in the life of a Hmong family. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Lia lee, a little Hmong girl, has a severe case of epilepsy. 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