Comprehensive Study Notes on Asian American Histories and Experiences

ALSO BY JOANN FAUNG JEAN LEE

  • Asian American Actors: Oral Histories from Stage, Screen, and Television

  • Asian Americans: Oral Histories of First- to Fourth- Generation Americans from China, the Philippines, Japan, India, the Pacific Islands, Vietnam, and Cambodia

  • Asian Americans in the Twenty-first Century: Oral Histories of First-to Fourth-Generation Americans from China, Japan, India, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos
    Joann Faung Jean Lee
    THE NEW PRESS
    NEW YORK
    LONDON

The Promise of America - Hoan Dang

  • Personal Background:

    • Hoan Dang, in his forties, is an auditor in Washington, D.C., and president of the Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA).

    • Born in Saigon in 1966, came to the U.S. with family during evacuation of Saigon in 1975.

  • Evacuation from Saigon:

    • In 1975, as part of the evacuation, 130,000 people were evacuated by plane, helicopter, and boat.

    • Hoan's family (19 members from father's side) was taken to the Philippines and then Guam for processing before entering the U.S.

    • His father's cousin was a colonel in the Vietnamese Air Force and arranged transport by a military plane.

  • Journey to the United States:

    • Family stayed in a refugee camp at Camp Pendleton in California for six weeks, living in tents similar to Marine training tents with straw on the ground.

  • Arrival in Annapolis, Maryland:

    • They arrived at the end of June 1975 after leaving Saigon in April; Hoan was eight years old.

    • Moves into a sponsored family’s three-bedroom apartment because all nineteen of them needed a place to stay.

  • Initial Impressions of America:

    • Hoan reflects on the differences between Vietnam and America; recalls the excitement of seeing clean roads and the airport lights in the U.S.

    • After being placed in second grade due to a language barrier (only speaking Vietnamese), he quickly learned English with help from a special teacher.

  • Settling in Annapolis:

    • Moved back to the fourth grade after six months of ESL classes.

    • Hoan exhibited a talent for languages; also translated for family while living in Vietnam.

  • Change in Residence:

    • After a year in Annapolis, the family relocated to Washington, D.C. where his grandfather bought a liquor store.

    • Hoan's father worked as a bartender in a French restaurant and mother eventually worked at a drugstore.

  • Impact of Family Dynamics:

    • Hoan's parents separated in 1984, a significant turning point for the family, highlighting cultural differences regarding divorce.

    • Influence of the Boy Scouts and Tae Kwon Do on his character development; earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

  • College Experience:

    • Attended Vanderbilt University (1984-1988) studying biomedical engineering; reflects on discovering his identity as an Asian American.

    • Faced subtle racism, including a poignant incident linked to dating a Southern girl.

  • Political and Community Engagement:

    • The Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association, founded in 1979, primarily assists Vietnamese immigrants and refugees, also supporting those from Eastern Europe and Africa.

    • Involvement in local politics and initiatives, including advocating for recognition of Asian New Year in Maryland.

    • Hoan is considering running for office to become one of the first Vietnamese Americans in Congress.

Marriage and the Green Card - Shamita Das Dasgupta

  • Background:

    • Shamita Das Dasgupta immigrated from Cuttack, Orissa, India in 1969 and founded Manavi in 1985 to fight violence against South Asian women.

  • Formation of Manavi:

    • The organization was established to understand the experiences of South Asian women, particularly in the context of domestic violence.

    • The initial mission transitioned from a broad understanding to focus on violence against women within intimate relationships.

  • Legal Cases:

    • Discussed complicated legal situations faced by immigrant women, specifically issues with documentation and custody when fleeing abusive marriages.

    • Highlighted cases where women become undocumented post-divorce due to immigration laws.

  • Legislative Impacts:

    • The 1994 Violence Against Women Act allowed women to apply for conditional green cards when in abusive situations.

    • The complexities of domestic violence within immigrant populations, emphasizing the cultural pressures faced by South Asian women to maintain familial structures.

Building an Orphanage in China - Ark Chin

  • Personal Narrative:

    • Ark Chin discusses experiences related to his family's past and their treatment in China post-communism.

    • Involvement in orphanage construction while raising funds and ensuring quality work, including negotiations to maintain standards.

  • Future of Family Association:

    • Ark reflects on the difficulties faced by Chinese community organizations to engage younger generations in preserving cultural identity while adapting to current needs.

From Laos to Iowa - Steve Thao

  • Background:

    • Steve Thao is a Hmong American who settled in Pella, Iowa, in 1976.

    • Discusses his family's journey from living in Laos to their sponsorship in the U.S. by local churches.

  • Cultural Integration:

    • Recounts the experience of growing up in a small, homogenous community and the transition to the more diverse Des Moines.

    • Reflects on the evolving concept of the American Dream as he matured and faced societal expectations and limitations.

  • Community Contributions:

    • Steve’s work in media and community representation highlights developing a unique identity as a Hmong American.

Growing Up in Kentucky - Albert Lee

  • Personal Background:

    • Albert Lee, a journalist, reflects on growing up as the only Asian family in Harlan, Kentucky.

    • Describes the early experiences of feeling disconnected and the impact of racial prejudice.

  • Cultural Disconnection:

    • Discusses the challenges faced in defining his identity while navigating through predominantly white settings and the clashing of cultural backgrounds.

  • Higher Education Experiences:

    • Transitioned to boarding schools and progressed to Princeton University where he struggled to find a sense of belonging within Asian student groups.

  • Identity Reflection:

    • Albert speaks about his family's history with American assimilation while maintaining dual cultural practices.

    • Discusses the notion of the American Dream and how it might be perceived differently for Asian Americans.