Introduction

Quietly reBorn follows Quietly Torn: A Literary Journal By Young Iu Mienh Women Living in Richmond, CA. Quietly Torn, the first publication written by young women about the Mien experience, is a ground-breaking literary journal that documents this important facet of multi-cultural America. The title refers to feeling torn between two cultures and not having outlets to speak out. As Senior Editor and writer Fam Linh Saechao points out, "The sole purpose of our magazine is to let people know about the hardships of growing up Iu Mien in America, changing our individual lives to fit in our environment, finding the middle ground between our two cultures and at the same time, figuring out who we really are."

Quietly Torn sold out of its first run within 2 months of its release. It became clear that many teachers, service providers, community members and Mien people wanted to hear more about the unique views of this immigrant generation.

Quietly reBorn further expands the work of Quietly Torn by including young Mien women and men, ages 12 to 21, from all over the East Bay, as well as the oral histories of Mien elders spanning the West Coast. The title, "Quietly reBorn," is a reference to the previous journal, as well as the idea of transformation. By re-examining who we are and who we want to be, we can transform our understandings of each other and ourselves.

The Iu Mienh are an ethnic hill tribe from Laos. "Iu Mienh" refers to the ethnic population comprised of a handful of clans. "Mien" refers to the practices or people of the ethnic group.

In ancient times, Mien warriors fiecely battled warlords in southern China. Several hundred years ago, the Iu Mien relocated to the mountainous hills of Laos, Thailand and Northern Vietnam.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Vietnam War engulfed neighboring countries like Laos and Cambodia. Mien supported the US war effort. Some Mien men were recruited by the US Central Intelligence Agency. Meanwhile, thousands of families left their homes to seek safety and refuge.

Mien escaped into Thai refugee camps, where overcrowdedness, hunger, disease, and endless waits plagued them. As they awaited sponsorship for immigration, years and even decades passed.

Now, there are 25,000 Mien living in the U.S., mostly concentrated in western states. The transition from traditional agrarian life to urban life in America has been immensely challenging. Many Mien struggle to overcome poverty, conflicting values, language barriers and cultural assimilation.

The young writers, artists, and photographers in this journal are the children of refugees, or immigrants themselves. They are students, tutors, organizers, dancers, poets and playwrights. Some are on the paths to successful careers in art or politics. Others are moving from dangerous lifestyles to a more positive future

. Project Coordinator Fam Linh Saechao and I conducted workshops around the East Bay. We asked, "What is it like growing up Mien? What do you like to do? What worries you? What do you think of your future?" They showed us that being Mien is profound but confusing. They talked about the power of being proud of who you are.

Collectively, the writings map the process of young people trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become. Sixth graders appreciate the New Year. Teens question gender roles. Young leaders seek a Mien hero. Groups of youth make creative works to share lessons learned and teach responsibility.

Please enjoy Quietly reBorn

Christine Wong Editor