September 11, 2009
This was a paid assignment to photograph the Hmong American Writers Circle (HAWC) for Hyphen Magazine, Issue 19, published in print on April 13, 2010. The article was entitled:
“The Pen Is Mighty: Hmong American writers reclaim role as cultural storytellers”
I made these photographs during the group’s regular weekly evening meeting at Stone Soup Fresno. Present were:
Burlee Vang (founder)
Andre Yang
Soul Choj Vang
Xai Lee
Anthony Cody
Victoria Cochran
Mary Yang
Ying Thao
That evening, the members were discussing the upcoming publication of How Do I Begin? A Hmong Literary Anthology (Heyday 2011). Founded by Burlee Vang in 2004, the group was active until 2017 and still has a website: hmongwriters.org
Prior to the publication of How Do I Begin? members of the group organized or participated in many poetry readings and were published in magazines and anthologies. HAWC members who have gone on to notable careers include poet Mai Der Vang, screenwriter and poet, Burlee Vang, and poet Soul Vang.
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The Hmong American Writers Circle meeting at Stone Soup Fresno on September 11, 2009.
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Ying Thao at a HAWC meeting, September 11, 2009.
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Poet Andre Yang at a HAWC meeting, September 11, 2009.
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Poet Soul Choj Vang at a HAWC meeting, September 11, 2009
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Anthony Cody, one of two non-Hmong members of the HAWC group, argues a point, September 11, 2009.
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Xai Lee shares an insight at a HAWC meeting. Xai is the son of Hmong shaman, Yer Lor Lee, who is featured in several subject galleries in this collection, September 11, 2009.
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Founder Burlee Vang leads the discussion at this HAWC meeting. A paj ntaub story cloth from Stone Soup's collection hangs behind him, September 11, 2009.
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Victoria Cochran, one of two non-Hmong members of the HAWC group, explains her viewpoint as Mary Yang listens, September 11, 2009.