This past Wednesday, the LCS cohort has been able to catch up with both old and new EPs for an oral history extension on a crisis that has affected them. During our recap of all the amazing stories from each EP, there were some prevalent themes and generational wisdom in each story. A key lesson that stood out to me was that it’s important to persevere and as Professor Lewis stated to “soldier on.” This especially rang true from the personal crisis that my grandmother shared with me. The crisis that she shared with me was in regards to the largest move of her life in May 1993 when she moved from Quang Ngai, Vietnam to New York. This move meant leaving behind family, friends, and everything she’s ever known. All of her momentos and belongings were reduced into a single luggage because that was all that was allowed. Not only was this the first time that she moved, but it was also her first time on a plane moving across the globe. Despite all this, my grandmother felt nothing but excitement for her new start as well as better opportunities for her children. While bittersweet at what she had lost leaving Vietnam behind, she was hopeful for what her future would hold. Now after about 27 years in America, she is facing a totally different crisis that affects us all which is the coronavirus. While my grandma is scared for her family and friends’ wellbeing, she has two words of wisdom for us which is, “cố gắng.” “Cố gắng” while directly translated from Google is “trying”, but it’s true connotation meaning to always continue to persevere. To simply keep going.
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Katie HuynhArchives
June 2020
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