The poem "Journey to America" condenses the Hmong's history and the younger generation's sense of identity in four stanzas. The poet raises a question "Where was I from?" to his father in the first stanza. The second stanza, narrated from his father's point of view, reveals how his people fled out of Laos for freedom, enduriong hunger, pain and restlessness, and also risking their lives at any moment. The third stanza continues the journey for freedom more from the poet's point of view. The father's account is a memory of adversity, while the boy's is of pride and confidence. The last stanza ends up strong with a declaration. The Hmong lost their homeland, but they are free in a new land, America.
In conclusion, the poem reveals how the Hmong remember their painful history and how they take pride in being Hmong and being free in America. The poet's optimistic attitude towards his identity is impressive.
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