The Hmong people have historically sought independence and autonomy rather than dominance over others. Their desire has always been to exist peacefully without interference from larger cultures, a request that often proves challenging in the context of majority-minority relations. The struggles they faced illustrate the complexities of cultural coexistence.

Anne Fadiman's book emphasizes the difficulties that arise when a minority group, like the Hmong, asks simply to be left to their own ways amidst overwhelming external pressures. Their experience reflects broader themes of cultural preservation and understanding, highlighting the tension between differing worldviews and the inherent challenges in achieving harmony between distinct societies.