Thai Vue
Fleeing War and Terror
to Build a Life and Community in the U.S.
Have you ever walked with a refugee? I have. Twenty years ago an influx of Hmong Refugees came to the La Crosse, Wisconsin area from camps in Thailand. As a social worker assigned to assist with re-settlement programs, there were many days I was privileged to be involved with Hmong families. I was saddened to hear stories that I could not imagine were a reality for the Hmong people.
Unlike my ancestors who chose to come to the “new” country as immigrants, the Hmong people fled their homeland in fear and anguish. The scars of the Vietnam War are permanent for many, including the Hmong people who agreed to be allies with the U.S. military in Vietnam.
Since the Hmong were literally sought and killed when ensnared, they not only fled from the Communists, but remained in refugee camps in Thailand until such time as arrangements could be made for asylum in the United States, Great Britain, or Australia.
I recently (March 2004) sat in the office of Thai Vue, no longer a refugee, but a U.S. citizen, whose inspiring story reminded me of those early years of strife, resettlement, and pain.
Thai and his wife, Kaying, fled from their native Laos in 1978 with their infant son, Neng, 
who they drugged with opium while they crossed the Mekong River to keep him from exposing them to the Viet Cong in the area. The opium almost killed the boy because the dose was too strong, but an injection brought him out of it, although he slept for a day afterward. Despite the precautions, they were spotted by Viet Cong and were forced to run back into the jungle, where they hid for six months before successfully crossing the Mekong River into Thailand.
Thai also narrowly escaped death in the first attempt. He was shot in the buttocks by an assault Soviet made B-40 fire arm. “Two of my fellow soldiers got shot and were killed,” he recalled. His mother, who was a shaman and a Hmong traditional medical practitioner, treated his wounds, and eventually he recovered.
The family arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1979, where Thai attended technical school, studied English, and in 1983 passed all necessary courses to obtain his high school equivalency certificate. He also worked for an office cleaning service. Thai continued his education at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute (WWTC) after settling in La Crosse with his family in 1983. He received an associate degree in computer programming in 1985. Thai began working at the Hmong Mutual assistance Association (HMAA) as a health educator in 1986. Later that year, he was hired for his current position as the asociation's executive associate director.
Thai’s wife, Kaying also attended WWTC for English and then her high school equivalency certificate. She also received an associate degree in accounting. Kaying is a proficient seamstress and runs her own tailoring business out of the basement of the family’s home.
In 1993, Thai ran for the La Crosse School Board and was elected to a three-year term. The campaign involved family members going out and knocking on doors to talk to voters. “They found the experience so enjoyable that they continued participating in friends' political campaigns,” Thai noted. The family bought a house at the end of 1995 in Onalaska, but continued to live in La Crosse until the school year was over and moved to Onalaska in mid 1996.
Thai and Kaying have six children of their own and a nephew making for a hive of activity: The Vue children have been encouraged to do well in school. Son Neng, 27, was in college for some time, but presently is employed; Mai Houa, 23, graduated from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse (UW-L) in Business Management; Vong, 21, is a UW-L student in Marketing and volunteers for the Children’s Miracle Network; Hnub, 22, is married and lives in Milwaukee; Julie, 19, is at UW-La Crosse in Education; Kong, 16, and a nephew, Lee Xiong, are students at Onalaska High School.
Besides schoolwork, the young Vues have been involved in athletics, such as soccer and volleyball. Hnub and Mai played violin in elementary school.
The Vue college students are active in a Hmong student organization on campus called HOPE, which stands for Hmong Organization Promoting Education. The group’s activities include mentoring younger Hmong students, tutoring fellow UW-L students, and providing education-orientated and Hmong cultural activities. The students also initiated new classes at UW-L, including a Hmong language class and a course in Hmong history and culture.
“The family stays connected to the Hmong culture through weddings, naming ceremonies, funerals, other activities and celebrations with extended family,” Thai explained. They also continue to practice the Hmong religion, an animism-based faith that includes the belief that all life is produced by a spiritual force separate from matter and all natural phenomena have souls independent of their physical being. Unlike some faiths, no formal worship services take place, but there are rituals that are followed for certain occasions, such as weddings and funerals.
The family speaks mostly English at home, something the parents somewhat regret. “We like to speak Hmong,” Thai said. “The kids speak mostly English. I don’t really like it. I think it’s good for them to speak Hmong.”
Thai continues promoting the Hmong Culture to youth and adults. He discusses with families “differences, and what to keep or give up.” His talks at churches, schools and groups relate to building friendships and maintaining tolerance within the Hmong Community and with the larger community. “In ten years,” he said, “the Hmong will likely feel a greater part of the larger community….generations will make a difference, but there will always be some distinction.” Now we are still a community within a community,” he stated.
Thai says there are many older people who are still in the “old” country, but changes are being made especially with the young. Though there has been tremendous progress with integration, more needs to develop in teaching the “blue – print” of America.
The topics of employment, education, violence and social justice continue to be focused upon in workshops and seminars. Thai said, “There are no substitutions for cultural ceremonies such as traditional marriages and funerals which knit the community together…. They have inter-personal value. It’s important to hold the people together and gives a sense of understanding among the larger Hmong community -- clans and non-Hmong. The younger generation doesn’t always see the whole value of cultural events, but we can’t leave cultural practices until we are fully involved in a larger society. It would be like a Christian going to church on Sunday without having the belief and value of that practice; the meaning would be lost."
“My job is a big one, beside the administration of my agency and a state coalition; giving talks at schools, churches,” he said smiling. Then Thai quickly added, “However, it isn’t an eight to five job -- so much needs to be done.”
As his phone rang intermittently during our time together, Thai was immersed in one concern or another -- a family or individual -- I wouldn’t know, as I do not understand the Hmong language. The phone calls were so typical of his everyday operations of meeting the needs of the people.
Thai continues to be a man accessible to all by:
- being willing to be approached and to assist where he can
- working tirelessly for major events, like the Hmong New Year (where Hmong people come together from all over the United States)
- providing leadership in numerous committees as he meets with state representatives, local community leaders, and HMAA staff
- initiating and helping to maintain, along with other team members, air time on a local radio station (WIZM 1410: Sunday mornings from 6:00-8:00 a.m.), featuring general information and noting community events in the Hmong language, along with Hmong music
His tireless, inspiring commitment is ongoing -- often with a sigh to re-energize -- knowing full well that "so much needs to be done."
*****
You are invited to study the related social justice issue of Migration.
Acknowledgements
This story, adapted and expanded by Wilma Spaeth, is based on "Living their American Dream"
by Gayda Hollnagel -- La Crosse Tribune, May 4, 2003; used with permission.
Photo of Vue family (above) by Erik Daily;
published in La Crosse Tribune, May 4, 2003; used with permission.