Voting Together

Carolyn Wong is a Research Associate at the Institute for Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and the author of Lobbying for Inclusion: Rights Politics and the Making of Immigration Policy (Stanford, 2006).

"This book is an important contribution to scholarship in Asian American studies and immigrant politics. To date, there has been no in-depth study of the civic engagement of Hmong Americans. This is a notable gap, given that this group has defied expectations of low participation among groups with low socioeconomic resources. Voting Together skillfully shows how Hmong Americans have beaten the odds, drawing critical attention to factors like geographic context, clan structures, gender, and intergenerational dynamics. The book also provides valuable insights to better understand the future trajectory of this important, yet often overlooked, group."—Karthick Ramakrishnan, University of California, Riverside "This is a pioneering work that provides coast-to-coast coverage of the political engagements of 1.5 generation Hmong Americans. Wong legitimates young Hmong trailblazers by placing these newly elected individuals into the context of American history while also highlighting their role as emerging transnational leaders who affect global changes by demanding human and citizenship rights for their fellow co-ethnics in Southeast Asia. This highly readable book is an excellent addition to the field of Hmong studies."—Mai Na M. Lee, University of Minnesota "In this lively and illuminating account of Hmong American participation in political life, Carolyn Wong provides a deeper understanding of the interplay between newcomers and the political system. Drawing on interviews of community leaders and everyday people situated in different parts of the country, Voting Together forces readers to reconsider traditional theories of community empowerment and identity formation. This theoretically rich and nuanced account of diversity in America is a must-read for those interested in ethnic politics."—Janelle Wong, University of Maryland

• 1. Citizenship and Participation2. Reconstructing Identity Narratives3. Participation in Local Contexts4. Views on Politics: From Leadership and the Grassroots5. Human Rights Advocacy Across Borders6. Deepening Intergenerational Participation