31/12/2022
There has been a lot of excitement surrounding Payengxa's arrival to the United States and her upcoming participation in the Miss Universe competition in New Orleans. Should the Hmong feel proud of her along with many others around the world? Payengxa comes from Laos, a country that many Hmong see as a country of the enemy, a bitter tone they refer to as Hmong Vietnamese and Hmong Red Laotians during the War. Now that Payengxa has accelerated to a world stage putting Hmong at the center of all attention and representing all Hmong and for the matter representing Laos, we wonder if those who hold political matter still see Laos as the enemy. How is she doing? Payengxa is brave enough to not only represent herself but girls especially for those that are poor in Laos and around the world.
Additionally, for so many years, the Hmong have been in the United States. Many claim to preserve the arts of the Hmong particularly the culture, crafts, and customs. But today, Payengxa's national costume has come to light a creative way of representing not only the cultural norms and traditions of the Hmong but of Laos, connecting that of a poor girl and sustaining the interdependence of all ethnic minorities of Laos.
