Week 9: Transnational Diasporic Experiences

Thanks to Linda and her presentation on the impact of Vietnamese variety shows on family relation, I can see that the Vietnamese variety shows, such as Thuy Nga Paris by Night, Asia, and Van Son, are the connections of the first and second generation Vietnamese American. Because according to Linda, many of her participants said that they did not watch variety shows, but they watch with their families. Hence, the Vietnamese variety shows. Families also family time thanks to variety shows.   Variety shows are reliable sources for children to understand how struggle their family has when coming to the U.S as refugees.  The two MC Nguyen Ngoc Ngan and Ki Duyen usually talks about the past of the South Vietnam, The Vietnamese variety shows are also a way for the second generation to not to forget their identities because watching those shows is a great ways for them to learn their heritage language. The Vietnamese American shows help the Vietnamese who lives overseas to maintain a strong tie with their homeland. If there were no such variety shows, the Vietnamese community would miss their homeland more. It also maintains a firm anti-communism political stand because they still refer the Vietnamese government as “Cong San (communist)”

I see in Justin’ presentation the idea how transnationalisim affects the title of the movie “Hot Boy Noi Loan.” The English title “Lost in the Paradise” is nothing related to the original title. After I watch the movie, I understand why they name it. The title “Lost in the Paradise” reminds me of some American movies. I think they made that English title to aim to the world market. Anyways, I think the Vietnamese society is more open to homosexuals; thus, the government gives permission for the movie to be public. Honestly, I did not really understand Justin’s main focus on his research.

Melissa presentation is the idea about transnationalism of Confucianism.  Confucianism of the Vietnamese again is influenced by Chinese. Chinese invaded Vietnam since 111 BC. The Vietnamese Confucianism is the 3 principle and the 4 virtues which Professor Valverde already discussed in class. However, Confucianism is rejected by many second generation girls in the United States. I agree with Melissa because there is a gap between two cultures. American culture values individualism and equality. Therefore, girls tend to stay with the new culture because the new culture makes girls same with guys. They do not want to do such housework that is defined as “girls’ duty.” In other words, they want equality. For instance, our guest speaker Louansee Moua said that her husband and she both have to work, thus, they should also divide the housework. Yes, I completely agree with her. To conclude, I can see Melissa point how transnationalism creates the difference between Vietnamese girls who live in Vietnam and Vietnamese girls who live in the U.S. Vietnamese girls tend to accept their cultural role and expectation more than Vietnamese American girls.

Question to Melissa: I think the Vietnamese girls who live in Vietnam nowadays tend to “Americanize themselves.” Many of them do not even have the four virtues. Am I correct? Do you have any source in Vietnam to clarify my opinion?

Trieu Nguyen