Over the weekend, Hmong Story 40 launched at a United Way in Fresno. Hmong Story 40 is a California state-wide project whose mission it is to collect and curate Hmong and Hmong American artifacts, documents, and oral histories related to Hmong migration from Asia to the United States, and to create an exhibit to showcase in a museum by 2015.
The project will be broken into four phases to document each step of the community’s migration: “Life in Laos”, “Laos & The Secret War”, “Thailand Refugee Camps” and “California”. In addition to histories, Hmong Story 40 is planning to add artistic components, including visual expressions of the Hmong experience and displays exploring Hmong and Hmong American fashion.
This project sounds both necessary and fascinating. The Hmong experience remains woefully under-explored and under-celebrated both within the AAPI community and the larger American cultural landscape. I really look forward to seeing this exhibit open next year. But, Hmong Story 40 needs your help for it to happen.
After the jump, check out a video, and the many ways you can participate:
Here are ways you can contribute to Hmong Story 40 (as summarized by Jaunehana):
There are many ways you can contribute to this project.
1. Provide cultural and lifestyle artifacts, pictures, and documents that could be helpful in documenting the Hmong experiences in Laos, Thailand refugee camps, and early days in the United States.
2. Assist with research.
3. Volunteer for future events. Contact the HS40 team about how you can volunteer at future events or during the exhibit.
4. Money, because in order for this project to be completed and available for the public to see for FREE, yes, FREE, the team will need your help in financing it. The project is currently looking in need of completing the 40 for 40 Founders list: by contributing $1,000, you will be named as one of the 40 Founders (like a SEED funder) for this project. Contact information is below.
To participate, contact the Hmong Story 40 team through the website HmongStory40.org or by calling (559) 454-1212. Please share this post with your friends and help spread the word!
H/T to reader Jaunehana (@jaunehana) for the tip!
