— PAGNIA XIONG

I wasn't supposed to be a music artist. But I believe you must live the life you imagine for yourself (& dream BIG). Join me on this journey!

Mar 9

Pagnia Xiong

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I'm not the mistakes that I have made
Or any of the things that caused me pain
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No matter what she did, she didn’t look like “hwj chim” to me.
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hwj chim: (n) power, prestige, prestigiousness, respect
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I was asked to speak and perform for a recent leadership event. The theme was around the word, “hwj chim.” Honestly, I had a very difficult time brainstorming for my speech. I was uncomfortable and even frustrated. After talking with my sister, Nancy, I learned something about myself.
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The word “hwj chim” is both common AND foreign to me.
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COMMON: It’s a popular Hmong name. You probably know someone named “Hwj Chim.” There’s even a Hmong music artist named “Hwj Chim.” It’s also often associated with public figures. Think Hmong parties. You’ll hear people say, “Tus nom ntawd muaj hwj chim laid.”
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FOREIGN: Yet, it’s foreign to me. The word, “hwj chim” is a masculine term. The Hmong music artist and public figures at Hmong parties — did you envision Hmong males in your mind too?
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Me too.
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“Tus ntxhais hu nkauj ntawd muaj hwj chim.”
“Dab laug tus ntxhais kawm ntawv tag muaj hwj chim.”
“Lawv niam muaj hwj chim.”
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When you read these lines, does it feel odd? Can you remember the last time someone said one of them? Or does it feel really foreign to you like it does for me?
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When I realized I had this limiting subconscious belief while writing my speech— that “hwj chim” is only for men, I had to check myself and was able to “learn, unlearn, and relearn” what “hwj chim” meant to me.
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Turns out I don’t need to be male nor named “Hwj Chim” to have “hwj chim.” And neither do you. You and I already are and have “hwj chim.” 👊🏼
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#hwjchim #power #limitingbelief #hmongwomen #hmongmusic #hmongstudentassociation #hmsa #pagniaxiong

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