Dear Sunisa Lee
Dear Sunisa Lee,
I want you to know that Pagnia did not get any work done today. She tried with all her might. Instead, after watching you take gold in the women's gymnastics all-around early this morning, she cried, reflected, and celebrated with the online world, especially our Hmong family.
I also want you to know that I remember exactly how I was sitting in class that day when Mrs. Ahlers taught us about the Olympics. Crisscross applesauce. Hunched over with hands on my face. And surrounded by my classmates. I had never met an Olympian before. I did not know one either. And, of course, most of them did not look like me. In that split second of learning, I believed that a little Hmong American girl like me could not be that remarkable. And to be very honest, Pagnia has held onto that belief all this time.
“...a little Hmong American girl like me could not be that remarkable.”
But today, what you made happen at the Olympics in Tokyo, in that split second of seeing you win and cry, Pagnia changed her belief.
Thank you. Thank you for believing in yourself against all odds you, your family, and our ancestors were up against through history and time. Thank you for inspiring Pagnia and the world, especially the Hmong community, so they too can dream big and make it a reality.
At long last, a little Hmong American girl like me IS that remarkable.
Yours truly,
Pagnia Xiong
Age 7, 1992
Sunisa Lee taking home gold at the awards ceremony for Women’s Gymnastics All-Around.