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I know some may think this question is bizarre and has no connection with Hmong youth issues, but I feel that it does. From what I have been seeing at parties, Hmong youth are the only people who breakdance. But there is also a concept behind this issue, sexism. Before many Hmong guys didn't approve of Hmong girls breaking, because they thought it was either unattractive or dangerous for the girls. But now, there are many girls who can breakdance and now some guys think girls who breakdance are attractive. Girls are able to do so much more in the US than in Loas. Ansd if we can break dance, then well take it to the max..

To many Hmong youth, breaking is something to do, like any other hobby. It's also to show of body strength, because you need a lot of upperbody strength to help support yourself while breaking.

Here are some quotes from other youth expressing how they think/feel:

Sure, I think Hmong girls should be able to break dance, because in the United States everyone has the rights to do whatever they want and desire. Women have the right just like men. They can split and do all sorts of body dance. Break dancing is like an arts of creation and body work.. go girl, go girl.. break it for me. -guy in Mn.

to hold females back is just holding the Hmoob people back.. - sifu

that it do not look good for us girls to break dance because we may think that we are here in america but hey I wonder es..peb lub meem mom ruas qhov twg lawm..tsis zoo nkauj ruas yus tug kheej. this is what I think. -Anonymous

Me personally I think it's great to see teens put their time and energy into something that is fun to watch.Keep up the dancing!!! -Anonymous

Hey I think Girls should be able to breake dance, because boy could so girls could too. Matter of fact girls might be better then some boys out there. -Anonymous

breakin is not IN or OUT!it still rocks the party if nobody gets into fighting and etc. yeah, it's funn to watch talented young people represent themselves. that's why it's all good. -Anonymous

no matter whether is in or out I think this is not our type. We should avoid it and move on to do a new things in our lives. -Anonymous

we are not in Laos anymore, girls can do what they want. -Anonymous

I feel that Hmong girls should be able to break. Just because we're girls does not mean that we can't do what boys can do. Girls and boys should not be limited to what they can and can't do just because of their gender. Hmong girls are just as talented as Hmong boys. Break dancing is for everybody. If a Hmong girl wants to break or learn how to break then she should be given that opportunity. - Mee Thao

Yes.... hmong gals should be able to break dance just like the guys.... actually they are just as good in dancing as the guys and maybe better! -Anonymous

I think that Break dancing is out of style in some communities and in style in others. Here in Fairfield, CA, it use to be the thing, but now, no one does it anymore. I don't see why Hmong Girls should not be allowed to break. I think that if they have the desire and ability to, they should do it. -Vue

Why does it matter? A dance is like an art form. It never really goes out of style. Its more whether or not it is still recognized. As for girls doing it why not!! -Anonymous

I am not a breakdancer and am to old to be one. But I believe that teens have adopted this hobby to express thier individuality of being american. It is a bridge fromold hmong to modern hmong. It should be looked as a positive activity that will keeps kids out of trouble and lead them to future job ideas. Regardless if a hmong teen is a boy or a girl, I believe it is something positive. We should also definetly let go of the old steroetypes of what certains sexes are "suppose" to do and learn to compromise with the american tradition.:) -Anonymous

Break in my time in 1996 Fresno Califonia was in styles and still is. I believed that if a girl whom choose to break, well she is able to, i know that people look down on girls, due to our lack of male ignorrants, that a girl is weak she can't do what a guy could. But Hello! This is the 2000's and I have seen girl break dance better than guy okay. -Raven

I think break dancing isn't out because there are still quite a few breakers out there and as long as they keep breaking I don't think it will actually go out. I think Hmong girls should be able to break dance...because you never know what the girls got until you let them show you what they got!!! -Anonymous

Linda Lee