Scholarly Articles Due March 26
1)
Helsel, Deborah G.Mochel, MarilynBauer, Robert. "Shamans In A Hmong American Community." Journal Of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 10.6 (2004): 933-938. Alt HealthWatch. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.
This article discusses concerns regarding how Hmong culture colides with American culture, specificically dealing with Hmong spiritual leaders who are called "Shamans" and the American medical way of life. It talks about how Shamans in America often feel disrespected when practicing in Hmong communities in the U.S.
While I think the article is obviously bringing to light problems that occur as a result of cultural clashes. The conclusion that this article that is supposed to be supportive and in favor of Hmong Shamans ends up deciding that Shamans are good, but they are more like a Santa Claus for Christians. I do not think that Shamans would find the conclusion respectful or positive. While the author obviously cannot claim that Shamans have healing power, I think it would be more important for the author to discuss the need for psychological and emotional healing that Shamans can provide.
I think this article can help me in research in a small way. I have decided after research that I am planning to hone in my research to Hmong Americans in Wisconsin, specifically in public schools. So while bringing attention to culture clashes and the disconnect Hmong students feel from their grandparents and families, I do not think the article will assist me in researching Hmong students.
2)
RIFFEL, BRENT E. "Hmong America: Reconstructing Community In Diaspora." Arkansas Historical Quarterly 70.2 (2011): 212-214. History Reference Center. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.
This article discusses the Hmong immigrant's journey to the U.S.
3)
Lee, MoosungMadyun, Na'im. "School Racial Composition And Academic Achievement: The Case Of Hmong LEP Students In The USA." Educational Studies (03055698) 34.4 (2008): 319-331. Professional Development Collection. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article discusses the U.S. Public school system and how it still is unable to close the acheivement gap between various ethnic and racial student groups. It mainly focuses on Hmong immigrants as it discusses disadvantages these students face over immigrants who had more of a choice to come to the U.S. The Hmong immigrants came because they really had no other choice and their own land had been ravaged by the Loation government.
This article is interesting but I feel like it points out obvious issues. Of course students who come to a new school and have to learn a new language are at an obvious disadvantage. The article also brings to light the information that statistically Hmong immigrants are among the poorest of immigrants to the U.S. What the article does not discuss is the reason for this poverty.
I think this article does help me with my research because I am realizing more and more how little we know about Hmong culture. As I read articles discussing Hmong immigrants as data to be processed, it bothers me because I feel like this is the same approach we take with students we do not necessarily understand in the classroom. If we analyze our students as if they were data instead of human beings with a story to explain a behavior, we will continually lose our students in academics and relationally.
4)
Vang, Christopher T. "Hmong-American Students Still Face Multiple Challenges In Public Schools." Multicultural Education 13.1 (2005): 27-35. Education Research Complete. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article addresses the academic and social challenges facing Hmong-American students in public schools across the Nation. This article discusses the language and cultural barriers between Hmong-American students and their educators. It points out the lack of Hmong interpreters in the schools as well as an overall sense of ignorance on the educators’ part in regards to Hmong-American culture in and out of the classroom.
While this article is hopeful it fails to offer real advice to educators in regards to solutions. I was incredibly bothered by one section of the article that names abuse, mistreatment, and neglect in the home, as main deterrents to Hmong-American success. The article seems to turn on itself in a way in that it tries to be two-sided and offer blame for disparages in Hmong-American student academic achievement, when what it should be doing is merely informing readers of cultural differences and offering suggestions on how to create a learning environment that fosters growth for all students.
This article will be helpful for my research simply because it provides me with new ideas of how educators and non-Hmong individuals may view students in their classrooms. But I also feel that an article from 2005 is probably not going to serve as my main source in terms of information I want to use as recent and relevant information.
5)
Walsh, James. "St. Paul's Hmong school creates a culture of success: Hmong Academy is helping students succeed with rigor -- and a lot of individual attention." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) 17 June 2008: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article is about a grade school that was started in 2004 and is run by Christianna Hang. Hmong Academy was specifically founded in response to a growing need for a K-12 school where Hmong students could learn in an environment that would focus on Hmong culture and values while providing a place for students to grow academically.
While reading through this article I wondered if the school was only for Hmong students and if so, if that is viewed as a problem to outsiders. One of the teachers at the schools talks about how she continually saw Hmong and minority students falling through the cracks in public schools. The only bias or critique I might consider is to question in which schools she has seen this happen. I wonder what studies have been done and if the school size determines how many minority students are falling behind. I have also observed minority students, in the few schools I have had experience in, being ignored and written off. Yet I question if having a segregated school is really the right answer.
I think this helps my research because the article is bringing up important questions for me to consider at this early stage. I realize I need to consider the achievement gap and if Hmong students have been specifically studied in this category. I also need to research segregated schools and if education is moving towards that again.
Nonfiction Text Due April 5
Yang, Kao Kalia. The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir. Minneapolis: Coffee House, 2008. Print.
Fictional Text
You unfollowed my other blog which was crottapotamus.blogspot.com but you still have to check off those blog entries that i have done. they are on that blog.
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