WHY CAN'T I EMRACE BOTH?

WHY CAN’T I EMBRACE BOTH?

By Alexander Nguyen

East San José is home to one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the United States, but identifying myself as Vietnamese was a journey. My dilemma was not about identifying between Vietnamese or American.

“My dilemma was not about identifying between Vietnamese or American.”

I am not fluent in Vietnamese, and many times in my life, I was told, “If you do not know Vietnamese, you are not one of us.” As a defense mechanism, I decided to identify as Chinese or Mexican. Why would I identify as Vietnamese if the community doesn’t see me as one of them?

“ As a defense mechanism, I decided to identify as Chinese or Mexican. ”

Luckily, East San José is home to a large Mexican population, so I grew up embracing Mexican culture. As I connected with the Mexican community and looked back, I realized the Mexican community nurtured me into who I am today—the importance of working together and listening to wisdom from our elders. When I needed advice, wanted to make food, or dance to music, I had mother figures who gave me advice such as “No hay mal que por bien no venga”(There’s no evil that doesn’t come with some good). I had mother figures teach me how to make tortillas and frijoles, and they taught me to dance to cumbia and banda.

I went to family gatherings eating mole, pozole, pambazo, and tamales. Today, I still listen to Spanish music while driving to work. I love listening to Luis Miguel’s “Ahora Te Puedes Marchar” and Los Angeles Azules “Como Te Voy a Olvidar”.I can hear them all day and remember helping my friend’s mom clean the house every Sunday morning with Los Angeles Azules playing in the background. What I learned from the community is always remembering where you came from and always giving back to your community.

“As I connected with the Mexican community and looked back, I realized the Mexican community nurtured me into who I am today..”