Vietnamese American Families in Transition

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Wednesday Morning Session with Gina Masequesmay and Sissy Trinh
This is a summary of the session from my notes and the presentation. All comments and additions welcome! Rebecca Mansdorf

Brief history of Asian immigration patterns to California:
Several waves of immigration beginning with Chinese in Gold Rush era, Limited to men in menial labor occupations
Japanese
Filipinos
Many early immigrants subject to "push-pull" patterns: Seeking better life, leaving hard political or economic conditions at home

Considered "un-American" Much discrimination and racism: Chinese Exclusion Law of 1882, CA Land Act, 1913 (cannot own land), Cable Act, 1922, Executive Order 9066 (Jap. relocation) Legal precedents for not permitting citizenship and rights for Asians.

Post 1960's
Civil rights legislation 1964, changes to immigration law, family reunification efforts, refugee status, all contributed to increasing waves of immigration for Asians to California and greater acceptance of their role in economy.

Vietnamese were a stark change from "acceptable" Asians. Until 1975, most of the Asian immigration was of educated, "brain-drain" types: Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indian etc. In 1975, 130,000 refugees emigrated from Vietnam. Continued with boat people, agrarian refugees, traumatized victims of the war and the subsequent Thai refugee camps and prisoners.

Vietnamese were victims: PTSDisorders, witnesses to torture, rape, problematic and with no safety net of social services. Resettlement dispersed families. Western psychotherapy is culturally inappropriate, problems largely undiagnosed.

Results: Chronic depression is big issue. Strained family relationships, under or un-employment. Poverty: Jobs are predominantly in low wage labor or service jobs. Inadequate employment supports. Shortage of ESL training, Welfare time limits.

Many live in overcrowded housing. High rates of TB. Youth forced to work to support their families. Low HS graduation rates as a result. Less likely to be college ready. Cultural and economic barriers to parental participation in schooling. Gang associations are frequently sought as tie/belonging.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rebecca for your summary!
I was surprised to find out that the first major Chinese migration to the US came with the gold rush. However, it makes a lot of sense. Also, it explains a lot to me about the high Asian population in the Bay area. The largest Chinatown in the US is in San Francisco. During the time of the gold rush, the major port on the West coast was San Francisco. Los Angeles was still a dusty little town.
It makes sense that the ethnic onclaves settled around where they first arrived.
Kathleen

[Anonymous]

It was really eye-opening to hear about the stuggles that the Southeast Asian communities face here in the US. Many have the misconception that Asian Americans (and I really learned that this term is soo generalized) are prospering and have good jobs, etc. I was quite surprised that so many Southeast Asians are on welfare and live in poverty. It is so sad that there are not enough community resources to help them.
It must be a real culture shock for them when they need to go to hospitals, schools, etc. It has really helped me understand the Asian community so much better; after learning about their traditions, history, and culture.

[clay dube]

Attached is a short summary prepared by the US Census Bureau on Asian American demographics. This may be useful when combined with the numbers available in the LA County report Sissy Trinh provided.

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