July represents two things for us here at maivmai: independence and middling progress. One, because it’s “America’s birthday”, and two, because July symbolically marks the midway point of the year.
maivmai invites you to think and write more about these dual perspectives, to share with us ideas and experiences of being in-between as Hmong Americans, Southeast Asians, and/or rooted, but global citizens.
How do you broker your multiple and many identities? In what ways do they compliment one another or are they in tension? What is the conflict? Can we find solutions?
Tell us about your dreams — both good and bad. What does it mean to be free? What does it mean to be equal, happy, and/or unburdened? How do your various identities inform these visions of progress and success, failure and redemption?
How do “we” go on? What is the role of family, community, love?
However you define “we”, “I”, and/or “me” and “mine” — let us know with stories from your spectacular, outrageous, and daily lives. How has being Hmong, American, and/or Hmong American shaped YOU?
Whatever you may choose, write from your heart and see how the words unravel. We look forward to reading your stories!
