Episode 5 - Whitney Yang
EPISODE 5 - w/ Whitney Yang
I am honored to have Whitney Yang as a guest this week--wife, mom, actress, photographer and skilled culinary chicken preparer. I loved our conversation about Hmong culture and Whitney’s dedication to retaining much of her identity as a Hmong American.
In this conversation, she shares the nuances of Hmong culture and tradition, her ethnic journey, and teaches us about the “Secret War”. You’ll want to take notes for her favorite comfort food! As I learned more about Hmong history, I am so impressed by the resilience and fortitude of the Hmong and understand better why the community remains so tightly connected. Enjoy the episode! -Viv
Whitney is a first generation Hmong-American who was born into a large and racially diverse home. She is most known for her supporting role in Clint Eastwood's film, Gran Torino, where she is honored to represent her own people. Since then, she has married the love of her life and is currently raising three beautiful boys. Whitney describes herself as an introverted hermit who lives a not-so-solitary home. Her current goal is to have at least five children before she reaches age 30 so that she can focus on career aspirations sooner. For enjoyment, you can find her photographing weddings, tending her garden, and schooling newbies in Catan.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHITNEY
Instagram: @whitneyandmatsayaphotography
Facebook: Whitney and Matsaya Photography
Photography: Whitney and Matsaya
LEADERSHIP LESSON
“Leading is not about getting people to do what you want to do; it’s about stepping down, serving them, and being at their level…humbling yourself”
FAVORITE ASIAN COMFORT FOOD
Chicken Soup w/ Herbs >>RECIPE HERE<<
DID YOU KNOW
“The Secret War” In 1962, American CIA soldiers went to Laos and recruited 19,000 Hmong men, and kids as young as 10-12 years old, to fight as foot soldiers against the communist Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Since the U.S. lost, the tragic outcome was there was no exit strategy for the Hmong people.. They were ultimately left to fend for themselves. Many were captured and cruelly punished for helping the Americans.
From the mid to late 1970’s there was a large immigration of Hmongs from Laos and Thailand to the United States. While U.S. policies were created to aid in the resettlement of Hmong refugees in America, the U.S. still does not recognize the Hmong soldiers who helped the Americans in the war as war veterans.
To learn more visit:
https://www.mnvietnam.org/story/the-cia-the-hmong-and-the-secret-war/
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-hmong-and-the-secret-war-zwwpgu/