Vì Sao Người Việt Ở Mỹ Khó Đoàn Kết? Góc Khuất và Sự Thật

Summary

In this heartfelt video, the speaker explores the reasons behind the lack of unity within the Vietnamese-American community, despite its large presence in the U.S. The speaker discusses the diverse backgrounds of Vietnamese immigrants, including refugees, family reunifications, and new arrivals, each carrying their own struggles and experiences. Political divisions, regional differences, and a culture of comparison contribute to the fragmentation. The video also touches on generational gaps, with younger Vietnamese adapting to American life, while older generations strive to preserve traditions. Ultimately, the speaker urges for greater understanding to unite the community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vietnamese immigrants in America come from diverse backgrounds, including refugees, businesspeople, students, and family reunification, leading to different values, political views, and life experiences.
• 😀 Despite having a large Vietnamese population in the U.S., the community struggles to unite due to deep cultural, political, and regional divisions.
• 😀 Political disagreements often cause Vietnamese-American community organizations to split, making it hard for a unified voice to emerge.
• 😀 The Vietnamese tendency for comparison and competition, rather than celebration, contributes to internal strife and weakens community ties.
• 😀 There is a lack of strong, long-lasting organizations within the Vietnamese-American community compared to other ethnic groups like Jewish, Korean, and Chinese communities.
• 😀 The village mentality carried over from Vietnam causes people to form small, insular groups, making it difficult to build a larger, more united community.
• 😀 Fear of exploitation and past negative experiences, like borrowing without repayment and failed partnerships, makes many Vietnamese-Americans cautious and hesitant to engage in communal activities.
• 😀 The first generation of Vietnamese immigrants, Generation 1, faced immense hardships and laid the foundation for the community, but their deep-rooted differences, such as regional prejudices, hinder unity.
• 😀 Generation 1 built the economic foundation of the Vietnamese community, preserving culture, establishing temples, and raising children to value education and success.
• 😀 Newer generations, including Generation 1.5 (child immigrants), Generation 2 (American-born), and Generation 3 (grandchildren), have different values, cultural practices, and worldviews that create more fragmentation within the community.
• 😀 Newer Vietnamese immigrants (post-1990s) tend to integrate quickly into American society, often showing little interest in older Vietnamese organizations, further complicating the community's ability to unite.

Q & A

What makes it difficult for the Vietnamese community in America to unite?

The difficulty in uniting stems from factors such as diverse immigration backgrounds, differing political views, regional prejudices, lack of strong community organizations, and a village mentality. Additionally, the generational gap and varying levels of attachment to Vietnam contribute to the fragmentation of the community.

How does the political landscape affect unity within the Vietnamese community?

Politics is a sensitive issue that often creates division within the Vietnamese community. Disagreements on political views can lead to the splitting of community organizations, turning close friends into strangers and hindering efforts to form a united voice.

What role does comparison and competition play in the Vietnamese community?

The habit of comparison, where people often measure success by material possessions or achievements, fosters jealousy and competition rather than support. This cultural trait can lead to gossip and damage relationships within the community, further preventing unity.

Why do Vietnamese organizations in America often lack longevity and unity?

Many Vietnamese organizations struggle with maintaining unity due to internal disagreements and lack of cohesion. The absence of strong, long-lasting organizations that protect collective interests, coupled with the habit of splitting into smaller groups, hampers the community's ability to stay united.

What is meant by the 'village mindset' in the Vietnamese community?

The 'village mindset' refers to the tendency for people to form cliques and social circles based on familiarity, often avoiding interactions with outsiders. This mindset, carried over from Vietnam, makes it difficult for the community to build a broad, united network, especially in a diverse society like America.

How does fear of being taken advantage of affect participation in community activities?

Many Vietnamese in America, having witnessed exploitation or failed business partnerships, become cautious and hesitant to engage in community activities. This lack of trust and reluctance to open up contributes to the fragmentation of the community.

What are the key characteristics of the first-generation Vietnamese immigrants in America?

Generation 1 refers to those who fled Vietnam between 1975 and 1990, including refugees, boat people, and those who came through the HO re-education camp program. They are deeply attached to their homeland, work hard to rebuild their lives in America, and focus on preserving Vietnamese culture for future generations.

What challenges does Generation 1 face when trying to unite?

Even within Generation 1, there are regional differences (North, South, and Central Vietnam), political disagreements, and a tendency to socialize within familiar circles, which makes it hard for this generation to unite. Despite their shared hardships, these factors create invisible barriers between them.

How does Generation 1.5 differ from Generation 1 in terms of cultural integration?

Generation 1.5 includes Vietnamese who arrived as children between 2 to 15 years old. While they grew up in America and attended American schools, they still retain some Vietnamese culture and language from their families. This generation's cultural experience is a mix of Vietnamese and American influences, unlike Generation 1, which clings more to Vietnamese traditions.

What are the key differences between the newly arrived Vietnamese and the older generations?

The newly arrived Vietnamese, often sponsored through family reunification, have different experiences, goals, and lifestyles compared to the older generations. They focus more on economic stability and enjoy a modern lifestyle, while the older generation tends to live frugally and values tradition. These differences, in terms of lifestyle, financial attitudes, and cultural integration, make it hard for the community to unite.