Being Hmong you have to shake EVERYONES hand. From personal experience, Hmong people have some of the worst handshakes ever. You would think the culture would have mastered this technique by now.

Unfortunately, first impressions are lasting impressions, and quite a bitch if i don’t say so myself. It only takes a couple seconds for another person to evaluate and square you up. That is why the handshake is so important. Your handshake defines who you are.

I am involved with the military and do a lot of advocacy with non-profits. I have shaken hands with the average Joe, to politicians, high ranking officers, and even entrepreneurs and millionaires. So i have had my fair share of handshakes. Are you a “Limp Fish” or are you “Confident”. Unfortunately I encounter more of the “Limp Fish” when meeting Hmong people.

There are three keys to a successful handshake:

1. How you do it
2. When you do it
3. Where to do it

Continue reading this article at HmongMen.com

What happened in 2011 and what stood out most for you? 18XEEM looks back on a year of loss, triumphs and most discussed stories of 2011! Tell us what you think in the comments area below, or let us know what else should have made our Top 10.

1. Former leader General Vang Pao dies on January 6 and a statue is unveiled to commemorate his life on December 28. TIME magazine names Vang Pao one of the “TIME’s People Who Mattered in 2011“
2. Hmong National Conference resumes after a year on hiatus in St. Paul, MN on April 22
3. Brothers Abel Vang and Burlee Vang Win 2011 Motion Picture Academy Fellowship.
4. Thousands of Christian Hmong protestors demand religious freedom in Vietnam
5. Phagna Touby Lyfoung honored at Lao, Hmong and American Veteran Memorial on May 30 in Sheboygan, WI
6. Fresh Traditions holds successful fashion show for the fifth year in a row on October 7
7. Jerry Yang releases book “All In” in July
8. Non-Hmong singing contestant wins big at Hmong New Year in Fresno, CA
9. Community members rally at KDWB Studio on April 15 in response to racist remarks made on the radio show
10. All-star high school football players featured in Sports Illustrated’s November issue

In 2006, a few concerned individuals who wanted to see a change in the cycle of troubled teens, got together and formed Hmong Haib Heev. Today, HHH is a well-known youth-led organization that provides an athletic outlet for the Asian-American community across Metro Detroit. HHH organizes sporting events such as the Motown Throwdown, Hmong Madness Basketball, and Volleyball tournaments. One of HHH’s mission is to “build unity in the Asian community by hosting sporting events to keep teens and young adults stay off the streets.” In English, the group’s catchy name translates to “Very Cool” Hmong.

By: Kathy Mouacheupao

Model wearing outfit from Once Upon A Time Collection by Kao Lee Thao, Photo by Yeng Yang

Friday, October 7, 2011 – Minneapolis, MN The Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT) held the Fresh Traditions V Fashion Show (FTV) at the beautiful McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. FTV is an annual fashion show featuring all Hmong fashion designers and Asian models.

Each designer is given creative control over their collections, with one exception. Because there is little documentation as to why the unique palette of traditional Hmong fabrics were used, designers are challenged to make sense of the traditional fabrics in today’s contemporary world.

They are all required to design at least one full outfit using a combination of the 5 Hmong fabrics: black satin, black velvet, neon green chiffon, florescent pink chiffon and a royal blue satin.

As the doors opened at 6pm, the line at the entrance quickly filed out into the hallway and the room filled with excitement and curiosity for this year’s 5 featured designers. With only an hour left before the show, attendees were entertained by DJ Luchie’s music spinning in the background.

Originally published in 18XEEM, April 2008, Issue 04

Dr Ia Kue at her office, Photo by CVPix

Why are we here? What is the process of getting to medical school? What is it like to be a medical student? What does it take to become a doctor? These were some of the questions that Dr. Ia Kue helped answer and facilitate during a Future Doctors Gathering in her humble home for a group of eager students currently pursuing the medical field. “It’s a long, difficult, and sometimes lonely journey that takes a lot of dedication, sacrifice, and determination to get to.”

With this in mind, Dr. Kue, came up with a meeting to bring Hmong students from all over Michigan to discuss and share their experiences, in hopes of helping them get through this rigorous educational procedure. If there is anyone who has the most knowledge on what it is like struggling through medical school to attain a professional career, while juggling other cultural and social activities, only to make it out in the end, as successful and as enlightened as never before, it would be Dr. Kue.

Dr. Kue is the first female Hmong osteopathic medical student in the United States, the first female Hmong Family and Osteopathic Physician in Michigan and the first to open and manage her own clinic: Lifetime Family Care, PLLC. She is a pioneer in Hmong women leadership, not because of these numerous accomplishments, but because of her perseverance and determination in higher education and empowering youth to live their dreams. Some of the things she shared with us while we sat in her office were extremely heartwarming, and it showed through that she is a dedicated,hardworking and genuine person. Her gentle voice revealed that she was a caregiver, not just to her kids, but also to her patients, in always being compassionate and thoughtful about their well-being.

Originally published in 18XEEM, April 2008, Issue 04

What was your inspiration?
Traditional Hmong Costumes and High Fashion.

Do your designs have any functions/unique aspects to it?
Hmong Reinvented is a fashion line that represents and bridges the gap between being Hmong and being American. In my designs I use Hmong embroidery with western silhouettes. I want to make wearing Hmong clothes fashionable. My motto is: Forget about the layers, the heavy money belts and bags. Keep it simple and chic.

How long does it take you to finish one piece?
Depending on how complicated the garment can get and how much time I have to work on it, it could take a few days up to a month.