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The Cross Cultural Workshop on August 14th was a success. We had several members of our bpou as well as other bpous across the Metro and even Linwood, MN. Thanks to Mikki Murray and Tawn Johnson and others in promoting the event to other local party units.

Presentations by May Lor Xiong & Waihon Liew

The first presentation was by Asian American Republicans Chair May Lor Xiong, who was the endorsed MN CD4 Republican candidate in 2022 talked about some of the lessons learned when she ran for office. One might think the Karen of Myanmar (formerly Burma) would have the same cultural ties to Hmong but they are completely different cultures.

May Lor Xiong stressed that people in general want to be part of the solution to problems that present themselves. The best practice is to listen to people and find common values you share and start from there.

Next Waihon Liew, Chair Donna Liew’s husband has many accolades in connecting those from other cultures

Waihon Liew’s Background

Originally from Malaysia, Waihon has his M Sc in Education Leadership and Masters in Cross Cultural Studies.  Waihon taught comparative religions and cross cultural studies at St Mary’s University, Winona, as well as similar courses at North Central University, Minneapolis . He has taught under the American Degree Transfer Program at two major universities in Malaysia and has been teaching / mentoring Karen immigrant students at Sejong Academy (K-12), St Paul since 2016.

Through his alma mater, Winona State University, Waihon started a Continuing Education program for schools in Malaysia in March 2023. Because of his work with immigrants and efforts to improve education in Malaysia, he was named Distinguished Alumni of the Decade by Winona State in 2023.

3 Core Values We Share

• Freedom
• Faith
• Family

Waihon talked about the 3 Core Values Karen Immigrants from Myanmar have in common with us.  They are Freedom, Faith, and their Families.

In Myanmar they had no concept of politics but they would get dictates from their government what they were supposed to do. So when someone in a uniform shows up at their house there is an element of fear.  Jason a BPOU leader from SD 33 Stillwater is a mailman and he expressed how when he shows up at houses were Karens live at, the children run and hide and they close the shades. 

Waihon Liew said how they were taught by experience to fear anyone in a government uniform. They were targeted for their Christian Faith and they were forced to flee their homeland for the safety of their families.  The Hmong were no different when they fled the country of Laos pursued by the Communists.

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Books and Movies

Waihon talked of different books and movies to learn valuable lessons from. Here are two of them.

• The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn (there’s an audiobook at the Ramsey County Library using the Libby App). Also probably available at Half Price Books. It’s about a mailman named Fred who gives the best possible customer service to those on his route in Denver.
• McFarland USA (Movie). It’s about Coach Jim White

Mark Sanborn has several videos online that cover the exceptional service by Fred Shay his mailman for over a decade in Denver.

Ways to Cross Cultures and Be an Influential Leader

Waihon said the best way to be an influential leader is to be a servant to others first. The best example of this is Jesus Christ. In his ministry he was first to serve others before he taught lessons.

In his ministry to the Karen of Myanmar Refugees he was welcomed into their community and given a robe of the Karen colors.

He suggests to listen to others as everyone has a story to tell. Once hearing them, you can relate a story of your own the people you are talking with can understand.  Praise others and nurture their values.

If you would like to know more here are some assignments you can do until the next workshop:

• Read Books
• Support Groups
• Servant Leadership
• Go to Cultural Events with your kids
• Find ways to volunteer
• Be intentionally attentive
• Learn to be patient (it sometimes takes time for people to catch on to understand the ideas you are putting forth)

Thank You to those who attended

We thank all those who attended our workshop. Initially there was a phone number in the first notice of the event to Chair Donna Liew that was in error. We had such a great showing that future events of this kind will be planned.

Thank you to Chair Donna Liew for the meal she made for the event. Thank you to Waihon Liew and also to May Lor Xiong for their great presentations.