The Hmong in me: photos

Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts

Hmong photography exhibit on display in Los Angeles

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Photographer KC Ortiz has a new exhibition at the Known Gallery in LA entitled "Forced Rebellion." "Forced Rebellion" is a collection of photos Ortiz shot during his recent stay in the Hmong jungle in Laos.
In the 1960s, the CIA recruited the Hmong people to fight the Communist forces during the Vietnam War in what is known as the "Secret War." The Hmong became known as some of the best guerrilla fighters in the world, fighting the Communist forces on America's behalf. When the US withdrew its forces in the region, it left many of the Hmong to fend for themselves. Many attempted to flee to Thailand as refugees, but thousands were killed by Vietnamese and Lao forces during that journey. Some returned to their villages to suffer death and prison sentences, many fled to the remote mountains to escape, and today, some 5,000 Hmong veterans of the CIA's secret war and their descendants remain hiding in those mountains, still defending themselves against Laos and Vietnamese forces. More recently, the Laos' government has asked the Thai government to deport more than 4,000 Hmong refugees back to Laos, which worries many of the refugees.
Ortiz's work captures the Hmong people in their daily lives, as they struggle to make it through each day.

His work is on display at Los Angeles' Known Gallery until June 12:
Forced Rebellion by KC Ortiz
Known Gallery
441 North Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
310-860-6263
May 22, 2010 - June 12, 2010
Hours during shows:
Wednesday thru Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Sunday: noon - 6pm
For more information on Ortiz and his other work, click here.

Source

Hmong UNHCR Refugees in the Immigration Detention Centre Nong Khai, Thailand

Monday, September 21, 2009

I have gotten permission to use these photos from Yvonne. She lives in Thailand and visits the Hmong people at the Immigration Detention Center in Nong Khai, Thailand, when given the opportunity.

1-3 Feb 2009
I went to visit the 158 Hmong UNHCR Refugees in the Immigration Detention Centre Nong Khai, Thailand.

They have been there for 800 days - waiting to be relocated to a Third Country.
158 people including 91 children, who are locked up for 22 hours a day.

PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO PROTEST THE DETENTION OF THESE INNOCENT CHILDREN.

THIS FORCED DETENTION OF CHILDREN GOES AGAINST ALL THE RULES KNOWN TO LAW AND CIVILISED MAN.

Leaders, Zhong Lee and Blia Shoua Her, eager for all news and information. Begged me to tell the world of their plight and to Please Please get them out of their detention.

They are weary, and constant harrassment from Thai and Laos Officialdom are taking a heavy toll on mental and physical well being. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

Silent, her eyes convey the concern and fear for her children's future.LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

Just some of the 91 children who are allowed out into fresh hour for only 2 hours a day, seven days a week. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

Queueing quickly and quietly the children gathered for the small gift of milk that I brought with me. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

The children gather to see who has come see them during their two hours of precious play time. Today it was me. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

Toys are the leaves from the trees, and the fence is barbed wire. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.
Young men who deserve a future. Intelligent and questioning. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

A little toddler, in awe of his milk box and toy koala. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

These children have no immediate family in the camp and are cared for by an 18 year old girl. They keep close together at all times. LOCKED UP 22 HOURS A DAY.

Bla Zang Fang is 86, and often sits apart from the others, gazing into the distance - what does he remember, and what does he hope for?
He was the first to welcome me on my brief visits, and the last to say goodbye as I left the barbed wire behind and I walked down the road in tears.
LOCKED UP 24 HOURS A DAY.