An Introduction to Vietnamese Americans
The Vietnamese American experience challenges us to rethink what we might know about history, identity, and power in the United States. This chapter examines the effects of French colonialism and US militarism on Vietnamese identity and culture. This chapter also centers Vietnamese perspectives and stories as it explores refugee resettlement and community building in the post-Vietnam War years.
Module 1 is a brief overview of the history of Vietnam, which provides essential context for understanding the challenges faced by Vietnamese Americans and their diversity of experiences. We will consider the history of Chinese occupation, the period of French colonial rule, and the era of American militarism in Vietnam as broader frames for situating the struggles and resilience of the Vietnamese diaspora.
How are refugees different from immigrants?
Why did Vietnamese Americans come to the United States?
What are the effects of colonialism and militarism on the Vietnamese people and their homeland?
