| Sunisa Lee's Olympic gold medal in the women's gymnastics all-around event "is a win for the country, for Asian Americans and, most of all, for her fellow members of the Hmong diaspora," writes Phillipe Thao, a second-generation Hmong American who, like Lee, is from St. Paul, Minn. Thao and Lee are members of a Minnesota diasporic community formed after the Vietnam War, when Hmong in Laos were recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to fight there in its "Secret War." After the war, and after being left behind by the United States, many Hmong fled rather than be forced into collective farms or reeducation camps. To see Lee win in Tokyo "feels like being acknowledged by a history that has only erased us," Thao writes. "It's not that the world finally noticed us — we wrote ourselves into the record." Thao also points out that Lee's victory is significant at a time when "Asian Americans have endured an increase in racial violence during the covid-19 pandemic," and "too many Americans denigrate Southeast Asians and refugees." Hmong pride in Lee's victory "isn't just about representation," he writes. "To be part of a diaspora means to create a home in lands that don't want you in them; to constantly carve out spaces just so you can exist." With Lee's achievement, "we are able to share the fruits and labors of the Minnesota Hmong community with the rest of the world."  (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters) Our elders have always yearned that one day we will have a country to unify our people. Lee proved that our love for each other is enough. By Phillipe Thao ● Read more » | | | | The Olympic gymnast is helping to foster change on mental health in sports, but it won't be a true revolution unless men are included, too. By Karen Attiah ● Read more » | | | | With 99 percent of covid deaths coming from unvaccinated people, it's a fight we can't afford. By Michael Saag ● Read more » | | | What are unions for, if not to protect the health and safety of workers? By Catherine Rampell ● Read more » | | | | The Justice Department said that inciting an insurrection is not part of the job description of any federal employee. By Laurence H. Tribe ● Read more » | | | | It's a clumsy and awkward process. But it always has been. By Karen Tumulty ● Read more » | | | President Biden wants the infrastructure bill to demonstrate that Congress has the capacity to get big things done. It doesn't really do that. By Eugene Robinson ● Read more » | | | | Criticizing Democratic timidity is their job, but relations are about as good as anyone had any reason to expect. By Paul Waldman ● Read more » | | | | California's governor was just starting to look safe from recall. Here's why that could change. By Helaine Olen ● Read more » | | | | Americans who can't afford private security like politicians are getting want police back on the streets. By Marc A. Thiessen ● Read more » | | | |
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