Le Ly Hayslip, the author of "When Heaven and Earth Changed Places", returned to Vietnam after she emigrated to America, she faced dangerous speculation because of the circumstances that led to her leaving the country. The Vietnam government thought she was a person who was against communism, so when she decided to come back, she says she was prepared for an interrogation. The interrogations of her past as a teen and child were beatings and spening nights on end in damp cells, but in comaprison, the one she had as an adult was the complete opposite. Hayslip, a local friend, and two officials were in the best restaurant in the city, the Pacific. One official says, "My Goodness...a Viet Kieu who has lived so long in the states and doesn't smoke or drink and acts like a lady! We are very impressed! That's not how we remember most Americans"(264). The questions the officials ask give you a really good look into how Vietnamese people view Americans, mostly as heavy drinkers and smokers and although there are deffinitely people who do live that kind of lifestyle, to know only one type of answer to what an American is probably based on their fear. Later on, the officer says:
You are right about one thing, Miss Ly. Much of what our two peoples know about each other comes only from the war, and that is most sad. I would be discouraged to think Americans believe we are a country full of terror squads, secret police, death camps, and starving peasants (266).
The officer really hits the mark with this comment on the war, and pretty much all wars. Many of our, and their, misconceptions started in wars or similar events were people who knew almost nothing about each other were fighting against each other. Hate for killed friends and other numbers of dead patriots could lead to many wrong ideas about the other side. The wall of undertanding between America and Vietnam seems old, but it is still standing, even after all these years after the war.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
What the officer said reminded me of when we learned about Islam in AP World: "For the west, much of the history of Islam has been obscured behind a veil of fear and misunderstanding." Fights with Muslim countries have definitely kept us from learning more. Unfortunately, war is one of the main ways countries connect with each other, and this definitely establishes bad impressions about others. I guess I don't blame the Vietnamese for being surprised that Hayslip doesn't smoke, drink, or isn't rude; many of us are like that. Hopefully in the future, we have mostly good relationships with other nations.
Brendan is right. It is a pity how past conflicts and wars can limit what we learn and are willing to view in other cultures. People often hear fragmented information about other countries or cultures and just assume it is the truth and is an accurate labeling for everyone who is a part of it. Sadly that information is often false giving them the wrong impression of people. 911 is a good example of this, many people just assume all Muslims are terrorists and discriminate against them when that is not the case.
Post a Comment