Regarding debate over the teaching of Hmong history in Wausau public schools:
The Hmong have a long and proud cultural history, and have certainly in many if not most cases quite successfully overcome a significant amount of adversity to become proud contributing members of their adopted country and home.
Whether it is desireable to “teach” a specific cultural heritage in the government schools, either for the benefit of those who trace their heritage to that culture, or for the perceived benefit of those whose own society and culture has been embraced through the act of immigration – ought I think to be considered in the same context as school students are taught the culture and heritage of ANY of the major ethnic and cultural sub-groups who immigrated to central Wisconsin over the past 200 or so years – or those for that matter who were already here when they arrived – Germans, Polish, Swedes, Norwegians, Danes, Irish, English, French, the Chippewa, the Dakota, the Meshkwa kihig’, the Sauk, the Illinois, the Kickapoo, et al.
If I emigrate to Canada, Mexico, Britain, Apain, France, Egypt, or Iraq (or anywhere) even Laos, Cambodia, or Vietnam – I hardly expect or can rightfully demand that I be instructed in American culture, history, and heritage in the government-run schools of that country. As a (legal) resident or new citizen, I am expected to learn the history and culture of my adopted home, and to assimilate into that society – even if I may enjoy and value getting together with other Americans and American ex-patriats to celebrate, share, and remember that from whence we came.
My new countrymen may be interested and curious to learn more about me and my cultural heritage – and I may be pleased and honored to share it with them when invited – but that is a far cry from demanding or requiring that it be taught in their schools.
What I think upsets many people is not so much the opportunity to learn about other cultures, as it is the seemingly (and sometimes not-so-subtle) implication that there is nothing unique, exceptional, or worth valuing about our own American culture – as much a melting-pot blend of tradition and innovation that might be.
American exceptionalism is nothing that needs to be ashamed of, or apologized for. Those who have come here came in most cases in search of it – and the opportunity for betterment that it represents.
Those who have been born into this unique American culture need to understand that blessing of sacrifice and hard work which they inherit, but which they have instead often been led to scorn and denigrate, by the self-debasing post-modern liberal mantra of “anyone but us, and anywhere but here”.
