So as I've writing a keynote speech for a Vietnamese student conference and I've been thinking a lot about history and identity. The two have shaped me a lot and my work. As I've grown, my understanding of the two have grown more complex and more nuance. For many Southeast Asian folks, we explain our narratives into this American dream concept and overcoming all to achieve. However the American dream is flawed and limited. It does not address the intergenerational trauma that exists in a community that have faced war, genocide, refugee and resettlement. That have come here and faced discrimination and poverty. Many believe that economic prosperity is the ultimate goal for our communities but it is not enough. Money does not address PTSD, Domestic violence, drug/alcohol addiction, gang violence. Money may seem like it can buffer these issues but it does now solve, address or target root causes. We require radical healing for our elders that have endure so much and often carry so much trauma with them. It requires community and a sense of identity for our youth that face so many forces of internalized oppression. Silence and suppression is the greatest enemy in the pursuit of this healing. History gives power to the people that write it and for too often, we have allowed others to write our histories. Our communities require and demand authorship again. It's just been on my mind a lot so I thought I would share. Let me know what yall think. ‪#‎fongthoughts‬
