11月03日
“Can I Sew for You?”
The quilts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania stitch distant worlds together
“Can I sew for you?” They tiny Asian woman asked her question in halting English. Keeping her gaze on the floor, Bee Kha, a Hmong refugee from Laos, held up a sample of her needlework for her new American neighbor to see.
At that time, the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania housewife Emma Witmer had not yet become the unassuming “queen” of the area’s famous quilt making, but she was on her way. She had just taken over her mother’s well-established quilt shop as the older woman’s mind became cloudy.
Emma had never seen one of the recent Asian arrivals to Pennsylvania “Dutch” country. And she certainly didn’t need any more quilt tops, but she bought two from the dark-haired woman anyway. She wanted to help a stranger in need. Little did Emma realize the far-reaching consequences of her simple act of charity for both of them.
The journey to a new life
The Hmong’s pivotal role in the business of handmade American quilts began when about 30 families, frightened and destitute, arrived during the late 1970s in the farmlands of Pennsylvania. They had endured a harrowing flight from conquering soldiers who overran their native land in the bloody aftermath of war. Many Hmong who came to the United States settled in California. But this group in central Pennsylvania came at the invitation of the local Mennonites through their church.
The Mennonites, while being of northern European origin, had much in common with the Hmong. Both cultures were agrarian, insular, deeply religious and bound by tradition. The new arrivals had one other thing in common with their hosts: the ability to ply a needle with grace.
Mennonites and Amish, the famous Plain People of Pennsylvania, were (and are) the nationally acknowledged experts of American quilt making. The Hmong had unknowingly brought with them an admired and valued skill.
Specialized Terms
Hmong (n) 洪族 a member of a people group inhabiting the mountainous regions of southern China and adjacent areas of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand
Mennonite (n) 门诺派教徒 a member of a separatist Christian church started in Holland that is noted for its simplicity of life
Amish (n) 阿米许人、亚米许人；阿曼门诺派教徒 a member of a stricter group that separated from the Mennonites and is characterized by complete separation from American culture
Vocabulary Focus
Quilt (n) bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
Unassuming (adj) quiet and showing no desire for attention or admiration
Pivotal (adj) being of crucial importance
Destitute (adj) without money, food, etc and other things necessary for life; impoverished 贫穷的
Harrowing (adj) (experience) extremely upsetting or disturbing
Aftermath (n) the period which follows an unpleasant event and the effects which it causes
Insular (adj) of an island 岛的
Ply (v) use or wield (a tool or weapon) 使用（工具或武器）
Discussion Question
Do some research on Hmong. Who are they? Their religion, tradition, characteristic etc.
Extra Exercise
1. Translate the following sentence into Chinese, ‘The Hmong had unknowingly brought with them an admired and valued skill.’
2. According to the recording, a writer is also called ?
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