After 30 years, an interview with mom
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Pakou Hang was just days old when she came to the United States in 1976. Her parents were part of the first wave of Hmong refugees to come to the country.
Now, they've lived here far longer than they lived in Laos.
Pakou has become ingrained in community life. She worked on the re-election campaign for the late Senator Paul Wellstone, and she recently ran for St. Paul City Council.
But Pakou wondered about her mom's sense of belonging. While the word "belong" doesn't really translate in Hmong, her mother was still able to explain her feelings about fitting in here in Minnesota.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.