Imanaka and Lai
February 28, 2005
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LESSON PLAN
Contemporary Issues Facing Southeast Asian Refugees
and their Offspring, Residing in the U.S.
Objectives:
1. Understand the conditions facing refugees as distinct from that of immigrants;
2. Examine the issues of assimilation, identity and cultural conflict;
3. Examine the transnational migration, political and economic patterns of the Viet
Kieu;
4. Examine intergenerational issues, particularly with the 1.5 generation and those of
mixed race background;
5. Understand the global context as it affects the Southeast Asian diaspora.
Relevant Documentaries:
 Story of Vinh
 Kelly Loves Tony
 AKA Don Bonus
 Xich-lo
 Letter to Thien
 Daughter from Danang
 Mai’s America
 Amerasians
Readings:
Bass, Thomas A., Vietnamerica: The War Comes Home.
Clark, Thekla. Children in Exile: The Story of a Cross-Cultural Family.
Fifield, Adam. A Blessing over Ashes: The Remarkable Odyssey of My Unlikely Brother.
Hayslip, Le Ly and Jay Wurts. When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: A Vietnamese
Woman’s Journey from War to Peace.
Hein, Jeremy, From Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia.
Mote, Sue Murphy, Hmong and American.
Nguyen, Kien. Unwanted: A Memoir of Childhood.
Pham, Andrew X., Catfish & Mandala.
Phan, Aimee. We Should Never Meet.
Strom, Dao. Grass Roof, Tin Roof.
Terry, Simeon, et al. Through the Eyes of the Judged: Autobiographical Sketches by
Incarcerated Young Men, “Truth,” Tuan Ngoc Dang.
Thuy, Le Thi Diem. The Gangster That We Are Looking For.
Tran, Barbara, eds. et. al. Watermark.
Speakers:
Rose Dang, South Seattle Community College instructor
Seattle Police Department – Community Liaison Gang Unit
Asian Counseling and Referral Services – topic: mental health
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February 28, 2005
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Websites:
http://www.aaawashington.org (Asian Adult Adoptees of Washington: includes articles,
links, forums)
http://www.kaanet.com (Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network: eclectic
links to social/ lifestyle topics and organizations)
http://mavinfoundation.org/ (Mavin Foundation, a local organization with internships and
projects pertaining to mixed race issues)
http://van-online.org (Vietnamese Adoptee Network: established to support mixed
Vietnamese adoptees)
http://www.ichild.org/ (India Adoption Resources iChild: “U.S. & Indian agency
listings, information on the process of adopting from India, child sponsorship,
humanitarian assistance programs, a waiting child listing, ICHILD mailing lists, the
ICHILD Families sections”)
http://kaplanfamily.net/FCV.htm (Families with children from Vietnam, Washington
State Chapter: “An adoption support group for families who have adopted or are in the
process of adopting from Vietnam or individuals with interest in Vietnam and adoption.
Our purpose is to meet other adoptive families, share experiences, and learn about
Vietnamese culture.” )
http://fcc-nw.org/ (Families with Children from China, Seattle chapter: “a completely
volunteer run non-profit organization. Our purpose is to provide a network of support
and educational opportunities for families with adopted Chinese children, as well as
provide information to prospective parents and all other interested parties.”)
Key Lecture Points:
 Culture and Identity
 Multiracial Children
 Acculturation, assimilation – including shifting roles (gender, parents/elders)
 Gangs and Bui Doi
 Little Saigon and Development of Ethnic Communities
 Anti-Asian sentiment and violence (Chai Soua Vang – Wisconsin)
 Mental Health
 U.S. Laws affecting refugees, Cambodian deportations, Amerasians
Inquiry Questions:
 Distinguishing refugee and immigrant experiences
 How does class effect assimilation and acculturation experiences?
 How does class, gender, ethnicity intersect and impact identity and assimilation?
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
What stereotypes and discrimination arise from the context of the War in
Southeast Asia and how do they effect perceptions, attitudes and behavior towards
Southeast Asians?
Classroom Activities:
 seminar discussions based on videos, readings, guest speakers
 tour of Little Saigon; visit to Temples; Cambodian Holocaust museum
 Wing Luke Asian Museum – visit and/or collaboration
 Interviews with Southeast Asian students
 Collaboration with Basic Studies course