I couldn't help but crack a wry smile (think gallows humor) when this pop-up appeared on my screen. I had been reading with great sorrow and anger about the cold-blooded murder by blue of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and riots in Minneapolis and across the US. Meanwhile in America, as all hell breaks … Continue reading Meanwhile in America…
racism
BLM, ALM, and “Minority White” in 2045
Montecruz Foto/Flickr You see, love is strong. Stronger than hate even. Love is the only thing that can kill hate, nothing else. You see, hate destroys and that's why love is stronger. It builds. ---Peter Abrahams, The Path of Thunder A white expat recently uttered this revealing statement: Apparently, if you say 'All lives matter' … Continue reading BLM, ALM, and “Minority White” in 2045
Dear Vietnamese Community…
As seen on Facebook. Thank you, Meagan Tran, and thanks to those who have shared this message far and wide. Needless to say, racism is not limited to Vietnamese-Americans and other overseas Vietnamese (Việt kiều). I recently saw a racist rant written by a US-educated Vietnamese, a Fubrighter, no less. He subsequently deleted his post … Continue reading Dear Vietnamese Community…
Let America Be America Again
Minneapolis, Associated Press The shocking on camera murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, riots, and looting reminded me of this poem written in 1935 by the poet, novelist, fiction writer, and playwright, Langston Hughes (1902-1967), and published in the July 1936 issue of Esquire. Racism is one of those "isms" whose seeds were … Continue reading Let America Be America Again
“The core sadism & power madness totally on display…”
In an image from 25 May 2020 video provided by Darnella Frazier, then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneels on the neck of George Floyd who was pleading that he could not breathe. (Darnella Frazier via AP) What's Past Is Prologue I detect a smug look of self-satisfaction on Derek Chauvin's cop face as George Floyd's … Continue reading “The core sadism & power madness totally on display…”
Gun Violence & Study in the USA
I spoke to some students last Friday at a top private high school in Hanoi about overseas study. Among the small group that was planning to study overseas, they mentioned Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand as potential destinations. Not one expressed interest in studying in the US. When I asked why, they … Continue reading Gun Violence & Study in the USA
Teaching Tolerance: A Facebook Message from the Head of School, The Northwest School (Seattle, WA, USA)
I noticed this post on my Facebook feed and felt compelled to share it with a wider audience. The Northwest School has 509 students, 70 of whom are international, including some from Viet Nam. Shalom (שלום), MAA Dear Parents and Families: Sadly, I write yet again to acknowledge and denounce acts of hate and violence that … Continue reading Teaching Tolerance: A Facebook Message from the Head of School, The Northwest School (Seattle, WA, USA)
Happy MLK, Jr. Day!
One of my heroes on a very short list. He was assassinated 50 years ago this April but his spirit of peace, justice, and love lives on! MAA
Irony
Charlottesville & EducationUSA Defined as: a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result. That and surreal are the words that best describe a situation I encountered while reading an online US newspaper article about the white supremacist "rally" in Charlottesville, VA. … Continue reading Irony
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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