shvonne asked us to read "girl" by jamaica kincaid then write our own "girl" piece.
here's mine:
Wake up early and make your bed, then come make breakfast for your brother and sisters. Wash the dishes, then dry them, then put them back where they belong. Sweep the floor, then mop the floor – don’t step on the wet floor, or we’ll see your tiger footprints. Don’t laugh so loud – a good hmong girl only giggles or at least covers her mouth when she laughs. Good hmong girls know that it’s rude to talk back to anyone, so listen and do things right the first time around. Don’t ask me again – just listen like a good hmong girl. Don’t be lazy – or you won’t find a husband. All good hmong men only want good hmong girls who know how to cook and clean. So when you’re done with the sweeping, go wipe the fridge, the sink, the oven – remember that your place is in the kitchen, not in front of the TV, or outside with boys playing soccer. But I just want to have fun with my friends. Girls do not play with boys, they do not kick a ball all day, they do not get dirty. There’s a lot of work to do – no time for fun. You’re the oldest sister, you’re a role model for your siblings – they look up to you, so work hard! If you don’t listen to us, they won’t listen to us. If you don’t clean after yourself, they won’t clean after themselves. If you just play all day, they will play all day. Remember - no money, no honey! When guests come over, greet them with their name and title – don’t just say “hi” and leave the room. After your greeting, go and wash some fruits, boil the water for hot tea and coffee, then bring us the fruits and knives, with a plate for trash, go back and get the cups, spoons, sugar, tea, and coffee ready – and bring them back. Tell the guests to go ahead and have some fruits and tea and coffee. And when they say “it’s okay – we don’t want any” – you must say, “please eat some fruits and tea and coffee” and serve them fruits, tea, and coffee anyway. Learn to smile without showing too much teeth. Learn to cook all of the dishes that your mother cooks. Learn to sit properly – do not cross or open your legs – make sure your skirt is long enough to cover your legs and knees. Make sure your shirt isn’t too low—don’t bring us shame. Dress like a proper Hmong girl – so people won’t talk about you behind your back and our backs, so our friends will be able to find you a good man and family to have. Think of us – think of us hard before you do anything irrational. You’re too young and don’t understand what life is about. So work hard, stop spending money on clothes and shoes – save your money for emergencies, stop playing outside in the sun with the boys, stop daydreaming about nonsense – a good Hmong girl can’t travel by herself or be away or far from her parents. You can follow your education, but you don’t want to be like your aunt – she’s an old maid, good education, good job, but no husband. But what if it’s the life she chose for herself? Stop questioning the way it’s been for centuries - the way of life our ancestors have lived and preserved and cherished - the root & essence of who we are. Stop it - stop asking questions. And, please do not bring us shame.
