The little-known Burmese community
The Monmouth community has strong relations with foreign people, providing employment and educational programs to assist in the assimilation process. This is particularly prevalent for the Burmese population that has settled and is thriving here in Monmouth. Burmese people hail from the nation of Myanmar in Southeast Asia, where they speak Burmese and its different dialects and predominantly practice Buddhism and Christianity.
Monmouth senior Duh Thang is of Burmese heritage and has lived in Monmouth for almost 10 years. Thang is fluent in Burmese and Hakha Chin, a dialect spoken in his former state of Chin. Thang and his family moved to the United States during September of 2010, and became a U.S citizen in 2017. Thang and his family moved due to the high levels of military discrimination against Christian and non-Burmese Buddhists. Thang’s father was beaten and thrown in jail as the military dictatorship believed he was a member of the Chin National Front (CNF), a group that stood for the Chin people. Thang’s parents were forced to do hard labor as the military would go into villages and “kill livestock for no reason.” In addition, the education system was not as advanced as other nations, so Thang and his family escaped to Malaysia and applied for immigrant status. With help from the UNHCR, Thang and his family, after three years, moved to the United States.
This story is further supported by the words of Pastor Niceu Cinzah, who proclaims that people move here for education or to follow their significant other. Many did not feel safe, so they escaped the military dictatorship to countries such as Malaysia, India, and Thailand where they apply for refugee status and ultimately come to the United States. A large attraction for Burmese people to come to Monmouth is the “Smithfield food,” known on campus as the pork-processing plant (to which many students know the smell). While this may not be an easy job, it provides good pay and it is easier to get a job there than anywhere else. This is how Thang’s parents pay for their life here, and it’s also why there has been an increase in the Burmese population. According to Thang, in 2011, there were roughly 60-70 in Monmouth; today, there are between 250-300.
As far as Pastor Cinzah is concerned, the Burmese population is welcomed into the Monmouth community. Not many Burmese people speak English well, so it is difficult for them to get involved with community activities, which is why they tend to stay within their own little community. However, they feel happy and welcome. There have been rare occurrences of discrimination and bullying. When Thang first started attending school in eighth grade, he experienced some levels of racism, such as name-calling and receiving the odd look. Stated by Pastor Cinzah, this discrimination comes from differences in culture, language and way of life.
The Monmouth Chin Christian Church (MCCC) is a Burmese church central to the community here in Monmouth. It is one of six Chin churches in Illinois, and there are more than 100 in the United States. They provide Saturday-night service for youths, but all are welcome. With regards to the services that the church provides, there is a Saturday-night service for the youth, Sunday service for the whole congregation, Sunday school for elementary-age students, and a Sunday-night service with a focus for the women.
The church also provides a college admission workshop to discuss future after school for high school students, leadership training, and know-your-rights, where a police officer comes in to discuss their rights in certain situations.
Importantly, is the assistance they provide new members, who are less fortunate with money, places to stay, jobs and use of vehicles.
Pastor Cinzah’s role in the community is primarily to spread the word of God and provide a safe place to worship. However, he does more than that; he often assists non-speaking English people in the Burmese community. Often, he translates for people at places such as the hospital, at court, or at the DHS and bank. When people have an emergency, he is the one they call.
The school district also provides support for students of Burmese heritage. In discussion with Amy Freitag, director of multilingual learners for the Monmouth school district, schools accomodate through English language development. Burmese students, along with other language learners, receive sheltered instruction from K-4, where they are given primary language support and are taught more in their native language.
From grades 5-12, students are taught in an ESL classroom for literacy and, if possible, are co-taught in core subjects such as math and history by a language certified teacher. Freitag notes that the Burmese students are fairly docile, yet high-achieving students and also credits the Chin church for the supports they provide the students. A product of these programs, Thang recounts that “teachers would assist with homework, exams, communicate better with teachers, and improve their literacy.”
A big community event for the Burmese population is Chin National Day, which they have celebrated for the last five years. Pastor Cinzah notes, quite often the Monmouth chief of police or the mayor will be invited, providing them with an opportunity to learn about their culture and “they like the way we present ourselves.” Chin National Day will be held on Feb. 23, in town, where people celebrate Chin culture: including traditional dance, food, and a traditional clothing show.
Kieren Marshall - Contributing Writer
[ngg src="galleries" ids="31" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]