Please introduce yourself. Where were you born and raised?   

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia. We moved around a lot, starting with Falls Church, to Annandale, to Chantilly, and finally to Ashburn/Leesburg.

How did you hear about this project? What encouraged you to participate?

Tammy was the one that brought up interviewing me and Holly, my sister. I looked up the website and found that the purpose/mission of the project was really unique and important. As an individual whose knowledge about my parents’ background and my own identity is not very solid, I wanted to get involved to become closer to my heritage. 

Where are your parents from? Are they both Vietnamese Boat People? When and how did they arrive in the United States? 

My parents are from small villages in Central Vietnam. I know my father was a Vietnamese Boat person and I believe my mother was, but she’s not forthcoming about that. I’m pretty sure my parents arrived in the U.S. in the 80’s (they were in their older teenage years) but beyond that, I don’t know much. This interview/project is certainly going to spark a personal survey of my family history; I know it! 

Did your parents ever talk about their experiences of being Vietnamese Boat People? What was said, or not said? What was your reaction when you found out? What is your reaction now?

My parents have never really talked about their experiences as being Vietnamese Boat People. If they did mention their past, it was about when they were growing up here in America. It’s only recently that my dad started dropping little facts about how he arrived on a boat that stopped over in the Philippines. He also posted a video on my Facebook with a boat that’s similar to one that he was on. Otherwise, I know very little about their departure from Vietnam. My mother is very quiet about the issue, but I blame it partly on me for not asking. She wouldn’t normally talk about that unless we (my sisters and I) ask her about it.

When you hear the term “Southeast Asian,” what words or images emerge? What about the term “Vietnamese Boat People?” 

Southeast Asian = Elephants. It’s an absurd idea, but I see elephants, jungles, and tropical themes. The term Vietnamese Boat People recalls an image of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people wearing nón lá (straw hats).

How would you describe the typical “Southeast Asian American experience?” Are there any stereotypes you have heard or have had to face being Southeast Asian/Asian American? How would you define the “Model Minority Myth?” Has it played a role in your own life?

The typical Southeast Asian-American experience…it’s really a blending of two cultures. Out of the house -- usually at school -- I learned how to be an American through education and social interactions. At home, I was Asian again, eating Asian food, speaking/listening to the Vietnamese language, and practicing traditional customs (thanking parents for rice/food, bowing to elders, etc.). In my opinion, that is the southeast Asian-American experience: a blending of two cultures just as Asian American is a combination of two cultures.

I’ve faced many stereotypes that wouldn’t be surprising to other Asians. For one, I’ve constantly been mislabeled as being other than Vietnamese, even by other Asians, fitting the stereotype that all Asians are the same. Many people thought I was Korean and I used to have Korean kids come up to me all the time, speaking Korean first before realizing I didn’t understand a lick of it. Another stereotype constantly applied to me was that I’m naturally good at math. I didn’t have the natural talent for math and because of this, I had to work very hard. This made it difficult for me to ask for help and it made me believe something was wrong with me because, well, if Asians are good at math, why aren’t I? There is one stereotype I got that I’ll label as a racial slur: can I see with my eyes being so small/slanted? I didn’t get this often, but children are often very blunt and I forgave it then (however, I do not forgive it now). That was when I became more conscious of my appearance.  It used to bother me, but as I’ve grown into myself, it’s a unique feature I embrace. And along with that appearance stereotype is the big one: Asians are skinny and will always be able to eat whatever they want. I hate, hate, hate this. This type of thinking can cause psychological and physical damage. I have read blog stories of Asians who struggled because they didn’t fit the typical Asian mold of skinny, pale, cute, etc. I know this isn’t just an Asian stereotype, but it is certainly one I’ve heard applied to Asians over and over again.

The “model minority myth” is something I briefly mentioned above and deals mostly with academic achievements. That Asian inflated grading scale? An absolute truth. I know many of us hold ourselves to a higher standard, and part of this standard grew from the myth. We hear it enough, we believe it to be true. But it also comes from our parents wanting a better life for their children, pushing them to succeed. Some of it can be bad, especially when taken overboard. As with all things, moderation is key.

Did your parents ever talk about their experiences of being Vietnamese Boat People? What was said, or not said? What was your reaction when you found out? What is your reaction now?

My parents have never really talked about their experiences as being Vietnamese Boat People. If they did mention their past, it was about when they were growing up here in America. It’s only recently that my dad started dropping little facts about how he arrived on a boat that stopped over in the Philippines. He also posted a video on my Facebook with a boat that’s similar to one that he was on. Otherwise, I know very little about their departure from Vietnam. My mother is very quiet about the issue, but I blame it partly on me for not asking. She wouldn’t normally talk about that unless we (my sisters and I) ask her about it.

What languages do you speak or understand? Can you read or write in these languages? What is the level of fluency for each? What do you consider your first language? Is there a language barrier issue within your family? 

I speak and understand Vietnamese. My speaking is limited to everyday conversational words but I understand a lot. Unfortunately, I cannot write or read, although with context I can read some signs. My first language was definitely Vietnamese. I remember being in Kindergarten and finding myself faced with a language barrier moment. My teacher asked me if I’d thrown a toy over the cabinet. She asked, “Was it on purpose or accident?” In my head, I was trying to figure out which word meant I wouldn’t get in trouble. I answered purpose, but I barely understood what I was saying. With my parents, there isn’t a language barrier. Since my parents have been in the U.S. since they were teens, they can speak English fairly well. Usually they speak Vietnamese to me and I respond in English.

Have you ever visited Southeast Asia? If so, what were your impressions? If not, if you wanted to travel there, where would you go and why? 

I have not been back home (Vietnam) yet nor have I visited Asia in anyway. It is definitely on my bucket list, especially visiting the villages where my parents grew up.

What are your thoughts on the lack of Asian American/Southeast Asian American/Ethnic Studies in most schools? Did you ever personally learn about Vietnamese Boat People in your history classes? 

I honestly never thought about the lack of it as I was growing up. I consider this pretty sad, because I believed it to be normal and OK that Vietnamese events (even those entangled with America, aka the Vietnam War) were not covered in our curriculum. I only recently learned about the Vietnamese Boat People from PYD.

There are a lot of issues in the Asian and Southeast Asian communities that are considered a bit taboo to discuss, such as mental health, domestic violence, sexuality, abortion, and even politics. Have you ever been part of conversations or instances involving these or other issues? What steps can we take to help remove some of the stigma from these issues?

I think it is difficult to talk about some of these topics because of the traditional mindset. For instance, domestic violence may not be something that is odd to many Asians because of how life was back home. I think all of these issues need to be addressed and it starts with the younger/2nd generation. I think talking about it and not treating these issues as taboo is the best way to remove the stigma. As with anything, we must share stories and spread awareness/educate the people.

Mainstream media has often been criticized for its lack of or trivialized portrayal of Asians and Asian Americans. What do you think? Who was the first Asian or Asian American actor or media personality you remember seeing on TV or in the movies? Who are your favorite Asian or Asian American actors? Can you name any Southeast Asian actors? 

The first Asian personality that I saw was Jet-Li. Jackie Chan comes in a close second. It’s slightly stereotypical too, considering the roles they were playing (martial arts experts). I completely agree with the criticism of the lack of Asian Americans in mainstream media. For instance, there is going to be a live action film of Ghost In The Shell, a very popular Japanese anime, whose main lead will be played by Scarlett Johansson. A lot of backlash surrounded the decision, especially comments of more whitewashing of Asian films. I agree that in certain films, Asian leads need to be cast, but the political and business reasons outweigh the cultural ones for the film industry.

However, I can’t completely blast the media for being anti-Asian. Recently, a lot of Asian personalities have become popular and are doing very well for themselves. Ken Jeong, the cast of Fresh off the Boat (especially the parents: Constance Wu and Randall Park), Aziz Ansari, and Mindy Kaling are just some examples. They are getting their own TV shows, they are writing and winning awards, and it’s just amazing how much Asian Americans have gained recognition in American media. I honestly can’t list a favorite – as with many other things when people ask me for a favorite. I appreciate it/them all too much!

More and more Asian Americans are forging paths in sports, whether it be on ice, on the baseball field, in the ring, or on the gridiron. Does an athlete’s race and/or ethnicity influence your interest in a sport, or who you root for? Do you think that your race or ethnicity may influence your chances of "making it" mainstream sports? Can you name any athletes of Southeast Asian descent? 

I feel like all ethnicities have a sense of nationalism/racial pride for their country/race and it shows especially in sports. Asians are not common in American sports so when there is one, and they are good, we all root for them. It’s a way to reaffirm our presence in society and to show that we aren’t just academically good, we have other talents too. I feel like this is one of those constant struggles, to show that Asians are physically talented too. I don’t follow sports a lot but I can still name them (which is telling of our nationalism/racial pride once again). Some Asian athletes are Jeremy Lin (NBA), Michelle Wie (LPGA), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), and Manny Paquiao (boxing). I don’t know a lot of Southeast Asian athletes in particular.