Dear America,
Do you see me?
I am a daughter of a single mom who made tremendous sacrifices to bring my siblings and me from Vietnam to the United States so we could have better opportunities. My mom wanted to further her education but was pulled out of school after 6th grade to help her family.
Do you see me?
I am a proud auntie to six nieces and three nephews. While they are born in the United States, it’s important that I remind them where their parents are from, our roots, and culture.
Do you see me?
To the mainstream, I am considered “educated” because of the degrees I hold. The degrees do not define me. It is through interactions with diverse people that are my best teachers. I am defined by the mentors, friends, family, and everyday people who shape who I am.
Do you see me?
I am a mutt—one-quarter Vietnamese and three-quarters Chinese. I consider myself Vietnamese American. I have been in the United States for more than 40 years. I struggle daily to hold on to pieces of my Vietnamese identity and try not to forget.
Do you see me?
According to CNN, a 164% increase in anti-Asian hate incidents occurred throughout the United States since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after the pandemic occurred and we were in shelter-in-place, I took my dog for a walk in the neighborhood, and a car with several young people pulled up beside me to make coughing sounds before driving off.
Do you see me?
As a woman, an Asian American woman, decision-makers tell me I can’t make decisions about my body. I am less than a man. My voice does not matter.
Do you see me?
When race and equity are discussed, the struggles of Asian American/Pacific Islander communities are often left out of the narrative. Don’t we matter?
America, if you see me, then why am I often invisible? Our stories, our history, and our struggles are not told.
Confused,
Your Vietnamese American Daughter
Buu Thai, Class XXVIII
About Making Waves | AAPI Voices
This article is part of the Making Waves – AAPI Voices project by ALF Silicon Valley’s AAPI Caucus. Through an ongoing series of letters and other forms of creative expression by ALF Senior Fellow guest contributors, we aim to share the experiences of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) with the broader ALF network. We are proud of AAPIs’ contributions to our multiracial society and believe we can help strengthen our community and democracy by sharing our stories to build understanding and solidarity.
View all current contributions to this series here.
The title of this project, Making Waves – AAPI Voices, is inspired by the book Making Waves, An Anthology of Writings By and About Asian American Women. We thank editor Dr. Elaine Kim and Asian Women United of California for their groundbreaking work and permission to use the title.
Tell us what you think. Want to start a dialogue? Contact Akemi Flynn.
