some of you know that i taught for many years at a school with a primarily hmong population.  most of my students and their parents, and some of my colleagues, had spent years in the refugee camps in thailand.  their stories on how they escaped TO thailand are harrowing.  i have a story cloth made by the aunt of one of my students that tells the story.

i admit i haven’t given much thought to them (as a large group – i’ve thought often of individuals) in recent years, but a quick glance at the bbc front page website today showed me this:

** In pictures: Forced expulsion of the Hmong **
How the forced repatriation by the Thai military of 4,000 ethnic Hmong to Laos unfolded, despite international condemnation.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/in_pictures/8434973.stm >