My experience living in Japan, China, and Vietnam for almost all my life, nearly 50 years, has shown me a way of life where inclusivity feels natural-where people treat others as family, regardless of differences. I’ve never encountered terms like ‘my people’ or ‘my folk’ used to separate or define groups here; instead, there’s a strong sense of unity and shared humanity. In contrast, I’ve struggled to relate to the racial divisions that seem embedded in American discourse. Phrases like ‘my black and Hispanic folk’ may stem from solidarity, but they also risk reinforcing an ‘us versus them’ mindset that feels foreign and exclusionary to me. I value the chance to live in a place where such distinctions don’t dominate daily life and where my family, including my Japanese children and grandchildren, are seen simply as part of the community. This perspective makes me hesitant to engage with systems rooted in race-based exclusion. Btw, I love this channel, especially Kenneth’s great points and fantastic questions, especially regarding history.
I lived in Japan, what you are saying does not relate at all. Race is a quite big deal there. If you are Japanese then..but if not......my wife is Japanese btw.
@@8dholland I have not been to Japan but have heard similarly. However, the experience one has or had, even within a smaller environment, is different. I share your observations more, but dare I say Eric’s point is more perfect endeavor. If only more can be amongst the more perfect situations.
A friend of mine got involved in the gang life and a few days passed his 18th birthday he was arrested for 3rd degree attempted murder because he was present when one of the homeboys decided to pull out a gun and shoot at a rival gang member. He did about 15 years and was put on ICE notice. He was born in Vietnam but lives his entire life in the U.S. and unfortunately, his single mother who worked all the time didn’t know or thought about getting American citizenship for him. He doesn’t know his father and doesn’t know anybody in Vietnam. He was a model inmate and after leaving prison he built a very successful business that employed many people. Sadly he had to leave everything behind and go underground to avoid being deported. He’s on the run and can never have any legal status again. He can’t have a normal life. I was much more luckier than him. I was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancement for attacking an American born Vietnamese guy who bullied me and my friend for being FOBs and half Khmer. It happened before I turned 18th and was given an opportunity to join the military instead of going to jail because my case workers and teachers vouched for my characters. Thanks to that I was able to get out of my neighborhood and go to college on the G.I. Bill after being discharge from the Navy. To be honest I’m not sorry for what I did and I would probably do the same thing if I relived that moment again. I was given a chance at life because my crime happened when I was under 18th and did well enough in school for my teachers to noticed. My friend was mild mannered and all around a very decent person but very shy. Things might have turned out very differently for my friend if he was under 18th instead. Thank you, Cat and Tín for your work in helping our people. Thanks Kenneth for providing a space for this issue to be heard.
Thank you for sharing this moving story of yourself and your friend. There’s countless stories like these in the Vietnamese American community. I pray that we find it in our hearts to figure out how to approach these members of our community with compassion.
We’re the culmination of the choices we’ve made for ourselves… Not sure how to feel for those that have been given an opportunity to be here and didn’t work hard to pursue the American dreams and instead committed crimes which got them to the situation where they’re now facing….
Yes we are the culmination of the lifetime of our choices. But what if these choices were affected by circumstances that were so bad that your choices were not really your own. And then after you did your time you cleaned up and did so much good for yourself and your community? Should we take the culmination of your story into account when it comes to deportation?
Look, i came to the US without parents at the age of 12… grew up in “the hood”, the Tenderloin area in SF…. I went to Potrero Hill Middle School, a crime infested neighborhood…..What other so-called “mitigating circumstances” would be needed? Look, America is a sovereign country…. We have a legal system that affords criminals due process which is not available in places like VN…. If you can’t make it then it’s your fault; we can’t have customized “solution” for each individual….
Again, Ken gave us a beneficial episode with a lovely young couple. Yes, the American legal system has an obsolete and biased view of crime. It frequently ignores the contextual aspect when dealing with criminal issues. A long time ago, in Asia, people used the fable of the nectarine, which said that due to the difference in geologic and meteorological conditions, the nectarine in the South is much sourer than the one in the North. The same contextual consideration should be applied in criminal law. The American legal system, until now, still views crime as caused by persons exercising their free will. In reality, people frequently commit crimes caused by factors beyond an individual's control. Can anyone decide when, where, and how the conditions of their birth? Of course not! But those conditions will, to some crucial extent, shape their growth and response to their living environment. Viewing that way, we will see that the deportation of immigrants who were born or grew up and committed crimes when they were at a young age in the USA, and sending them back to their original countries is not only inhumane but also illegal. Why do the US government and other social institutes take primary responsibility for the legal violation of those individuals and not impose the unfair burden on the original countries who otherwise would not benefit from the legal behavior of those individuals? It seems the US government is somehow hegemonic. Watching and listening to what the young couple does and claims, I feel somehow ashamed of my first generation of Vietnamese refugees, who mostly are ignorant and useless, not contributing enough to helping the second generation in dealing with this unfair deportation carried out by the coming extreme administration.
Ashamed might be a genetically pre-disposed condition, or a least a cultural one. I was in HS in the early 90’s , 2/4 friends went to juve, 1 went hardcore gangster the other was shot dead. I was low skilled but not useless. Fortunate to have survived the boat ride and HS.
The Vietnamese were the first Asians to look like people to me in Asia. They acted so, well human. their pain, sorrows, horrible actions, mixed wtih good actions made me think of them no less or more than me. The rich Asians screwed you guys I think. Curse of Harvard.
Listening to these two privilege 'Vietnamese' making excuses make me sick. Most of the Vietnamese people who came to the US in the 70's through the 80's (boat people) went through a similar circumstance. Most of us came with nothing but the back of our shirts. Through hard work we've made a better life for our families. Yes, my parents work 7 days a week and didn't really have time for their kids. Did we join the gangs or did stupid things to get arrested? No, we knew better! It's about people making poor choices and now they have to pay the consequences. I wish Tin and Cat would take their ideal and value to Vietnam to help the oppress people in there. Let's see how far their leftist view get them in communist Vietnam.
Kenneth Nguyen’s last name should be pronounced ‘N’win’ instead of ‘Win’! And Tinh Thanh Nguyen’s last name should be pronounced ’N’win’ instead of ‘Win’ too!
What makes Southeast Asians US history different is that many didn’t necessarily have a choice in coming to the USA or where they settled within the US. Brought in as refugees from war torn countries then only to be hated on and bullied mainly from other minorities. Not excusing what some did but it’s understandable how some feel. Those subject to being deported or already have been, were they really given a “second” chance. The irony is that they give two other demographics like 50 chances. Sure one group may be born here but not necessarily for another and they don’t seem to be deported. They are almost protected. The next irony is that this harsh treatment towards A sians usually leads to better overall behavior. It is what it is. It’s no different than for Korean adoptees. They didn’t choose to come to the US. Some were even abused by their adoptive parents and if they parents never filed the proper paperwork and they have been deported too.
It's hard for me to understand the perspective that there's zero merit to deporting people who've broken laws in a country where they are not citizens and/or entered illegally. Really wished to hear some pushback on this and hear their non-emotional response. It's also very hard for me to understand their perspective that this is all rooted in white supremacy. Really losing me on that one. If they want more people to join in their fight, they've gotta meet people where they are, and the majority don't subscribe to the white supremacy woke mindset.
Thank you Kenneth,Cat and Tin for bringing this subject to light!!
I also have a final order of deportation and just living life while waiting.
Best of luck to you.
My experience living in Japan, China, and Vietnam for almost all my life, nearly 50 years, has shown me a way of life where inclusivity feels natural-where people treat others as family, regardless of differences. I’ve never encountered terms like ‘my people’ or ‘my folk’ used to separate or define groups here; instead, there’s a strong sense of unity and shared humanity.
In contrast, I’ve struggled to relate to the racial divisions that seem embedded in American discourse. Phrases like ‘my black and Hispanic folk’ may stem from solidarity, but they also risk reinforcing an ‘us versus them’ mindset that feels foreign and exclusionary to me.
I value the chance to live in a place where such distinctions don’t dominate daily life and where my family, including my Japanese children and grandchildren, are seen simply as part of the community. This perspective makes me hesitant to engage with systems rooted in race-based exclusion.
Btw, I love this channel, especially Kenneth’s great points and fantastic questions, especially regarding history.
I lived in Japan, what you are saying does not relate at all. Race is a quite big deal there. If you are Japanese then..but if not......my wife is Japanese btw.
@@8dholland I have not been to Japan but have heard similarly. However, the experience one has or had, even within a smaller environment, is different. I share your observations more, but dare I say Eric’s point is more perfect endeavor. If only more can be amongst the more perfect situations.
I have heard from Chinese who live Japan that Japanese are very exclusive.
There are two types of successful people. Those who succeed and pull everyone else up with them, and those who succeed and shut the door behind.
They are right about "shock and awe ". It's the same shit ,just a different day and a different guy. And now, only louder.
A friend of mine got involved in the gang life and a few days passed his 18th birthday he was arrested for 3rd degree attempted murder because he was present when one of the homeboys decided to pull out a gun and shoot at a rival gang member. He did about 15 years and was put on ICE notice. He was born in Vietnam but lives his entire life in the U.S. and unfortunately, his single mother who worked all the time didn’t know or thought about getting American citizenship for him. He doesn’t know his father and doesn’t know anybody in Vietnam. He was a model inmate and after leaving prison he built a very successful business that employed many people. Sadly he had to leave everything behind and go underground to avoid being deported. He’s on the run and can never have any legal status again. He can’t have a normal life.
I was much more luckier than him. I was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancement for attacking an American born Vietnamese guy who bullied me and my friend for being FOBs and half Khmer. It happened before I turned 18th and was given an opportunity to join the military instead of going to jail because my case workers and teachers vouched for my characters. Thanks to that I was able to get out of my neighborhood and go to college on the G.I. Bill after being discharge from the Navy.
To be honest I’m not sorry for what I did and I would probably do the same thing if I relived that moment again. I was given a chance at life because my crime happened when I was under 18th and did well enough in school for my teachers to noticed. My friend was mild mannered and all around a very decent person but very shy. Things might have turned out very differently for my friend if he was under 18th instead.
Thank you, Cat and Tín for your work in helping our people. Thanks Kenneth for providing a space for this issue to be heard.
Thank you for sharing this moving story of yourself and your friend. There’s countless stories like these in the Vietnamese American community. I pray that we find it in our hearts to figure out how to approach these members of our community with compassion.
We’re the culmination of the choices we’ve made for ourselves… Not sure how to feel for those that have been given an opportunity to be here and didn’t work hard to pursue the American dreams and instead committed crimes which got them to the situation where they’re now facing….
Yes we are the culmination of the lifetime of our choices. But what if these choices were affected by circumstances that were so bad that your choices were not really your own. And then after you did your time you cleaned up and did so much good for yourself and your community? Should we take the culmination of your story into account when it comes to deportation?
Look, i came to the US without parents at the age of 12… grew up in “the hood”, the Tenderloin area in SF…. I went to Potrero Hill Middle School, a crime infested neighborhood…..What other so-called “mitigating circumstances” would be needed? Look, America is a sovereign country…. We have a legal system that affords criminals due process which is not available in places like VN…. If you can’t make it then it’s your fault; we can’t have customized “solution” for each individual….
Again, Ken gave us a beneficial episode with a lovely young couple.
Yes, the American legal system has an obsolete and biased view of crime. It frequently ignores the contextual aspect when dealing with criminal issues. A long time ago, in Asia, people used the fable of the nectarine, which said that due to the difference in geologic and meteorological conditions, the nectarine in the South is much sourer than the one in the North. The same contextual consideration should be applied in criminal law. The American legal system, until now, still views crime as caused by persons exercising their free will. In reality, people frequently commit crimes caused by factors beyond an individual's control. Can anyone decide when, where, and how the conditions of their birth? Of course not! But those conditions will, to some crucial extent, shape their growth and response to their living environment. Viewing that way, we will see that the deportation of immigrants who were born or grew up and committed crimes when they were at a young age in the USA, and sending them back to their original countries is not only inhumane but also illegal. Why do the US government and other social institutes take primary responsibility for the legal violation of those individuals and not impose the unfair burden on the original countries who otherwise would not benefit from the legal behavior of those individuals? It seems the US government is somehow hegemonic.
Watching and listening to what the young couple does and claims, I feel somehow ashamed of my first generation of Vietnamese refugees, who mostly are ignorant and useless, not contributing enough to helping the second generation in dealing with this unfair deportation carried out by the coming extreme administration.
Ashamed might be a genetically pre-disposed condition, or a least a cultural one. I was in HS in the early 90’s , 2/4 friends went to juve, 1 went hardcore gangster the other was shot dead. I was low skilled but not useless. Fortunate to have survived the boat ride and HS.
Ethic Studies is where one learns the history of minorities in the US. And how one may fit into the narrative or be weary of it.
Wow genuinely good souls all around . Props!
She has both the homie and Londoner in her voice.
The Vietnamese were the first Asians to look like people to me in Asia. They acted so, well human. their pain, sorrows, horrible actions, mixed wtih good actions made me think of them no less or more than me. The rich Asians screwed you guys I think. Curse of Harvard.
America isnt the same anymore. Best to leave. I seen plwnty of Americans going ovwr seas. They're happy as hell in Vietnam.
Please leave too.
Listening to these two privilege 'Vietnamese' making excuses make me sick. Most of the Vietnamese people who came to the US in the 70's through the 80's (boat people) went through a similar circumstance. Most of us came with nothing but the back of our shirts. Through hard work we've made a better life for our families. Yes, my parents work 7 days a week and didn't really have time for their kids. Did we join the gangs or did stupid things to get arrested? No, we knew better! It's about people making poor choices and now they have to pay the consequences. I wish Tin and Cat would take their ideal and value to Vietnam to help the oppress people in there. Let's see how far their leftist view get them in communist Vietnam.
Kenneth Nguyen’s last name should be pronounced ‘N’win’ instead of ‘Win’!
And Tinh Thanh Nguyen’s last name should be pronounced ’N’win’ instead of ‘Win’ too!
What makes Southeast Asians US history different is that many didn’t necessarily have a choice in coming to the USA or where they settled within the US.
Brought in as refugees from war torn countries then only to be hated on and bullied mainly from other minorities.
Not excusing what some did but it’s understandable how some feel. Those subject to being deported or already have been, were they really given a “second” chance.
The irony is that they give two other demographics like 50 chances. Sure one group may be born here but not necessarily for another and they don’t seem to be deported. They are almost protected.
The next irony is that this harsh treatment towards A sians usually leads to better overall behavior.
It is what it is. It’s no different than for Korean adoptees. They didn’t choose to come to the US. Some were even abused by their adoptive parents and if they parents never filed the proper paperwork and they have been deported too.
Honestly Vietnam these days are very liveable. If The USA do not welcome you regardless your contribution, come home.
🏆
It's hard for me to understand the perspective that there's zero merit to deporting people who've broken laws in a country where they are not citizens and/or entered illegally. Really wished to hear some pushback on this and hear their non-emotional response. It's also very hard for me to understand their perspective that this is all rooted in white supremacy. Really losing me on that one. If they want more people to join in their fight, they've gotta meet people where they are, and the majority don't subscribe to the white supremacy woke mindset.
Dụ nghe khi thấy ….bye