In freshman high school, I remember the strong bold team leader introduces herself with a handshake, “Hi, I’m Nikki Lee we have an all girls football team would you like to join we practice every Monday and Wednesday?” From that question I knew right away I wanted to join despite of the stereotype of being able to play football is an all-boy game. Without telling my parents I stayed after school and practiced with the team and at the same times I also joined another club called Hip Hop. With understandable questions and answer my parents allowed me to continue my practice and effort. However, relatives elders threw curveball question, “Why did you join such sports like that when its physical games especially, when girls don’t play games they do house chores and look after the kids?” Even though the elders has told me this I continued strong and be a team player. I hope my younger sibling and my nieces follow their wants and needs while being Hmong.
Kuv yog hmoob. I am Hmong. I’m proud to have the bloodline of being Hmong. Today, we easily adapt to the different cultures, yet we also change our traditions to fit in society where we lived in the United States. Forty years have passed, we have gained a better adjust, to help the elders and younger ones to spread the tradition while being Hmong is not