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generation celebrating the culture of not only tween the two differing arguments. During
their parents and grandparents, but this discourse, respect needs to be emphasized
themselves, will help strengthen their bond from all participants. Too often is it that the
with their heritage and an older generation older generation demands respect from their
who holds their traditional culture close to younger counterparts, while the latter receives
their heart. Next, the older generation needs to little in return. To achieve this respect, the
be willing to adapt to the ever-changing generational difference in personal values or
technological landscape of our world. In beliefs needs to be recognized and acknowl-
a world that is increasingly dependent on edged while having conversations. Respectful
technology, learning to properly utilize it will communication will lay the groundwork for a
help the older generation connect with young bridged generational gap in the Vietnamese
people who have grown up around technology community.
their entire lives. However, learning to simply It is evident that all the aforementioned
use technology is insufficient; an effort must propositions will be key to connecting the
be made to learn proper internet etiquette to generations of Vietnamese Americans. Em-
ensure that powerful resources such as news ploying all of these is no small feat; change
sites and social media are not misused in ways takes time. Yet, an effort needs to be made in
such as the consumption or reproduction of the current moment. All generations of Viet-
false information. The consequences of this namese Americans need to be willing to make
misuse can be catastrophic. Hence, seeking an effort for the benefit of their communities.
assistance from the younger generation that is The wheels of change need to start turning in
well-versed in this technological landscape order for the Vietnamese communities in
would be auspicious. America to be further prosperous.

The most crucial step to closing the gen- in the past, I have contributed hours of
erational gap is one that needs to be addressed my personal time to perform and help set-up
by all generations of Vietnamese Americans: at multiple events for both the Vietnamese
Communication. It is vital to the unification of Community of Oregon and the Vietnamese
any community. Miscommunication, or the Community of Clark County. I have done so
lack of communication, is the root of many by singing, performing martial arts, setting/
conflicts or misunderstandings. Thus, starting cleaning up chairs before/after events, running
a dialogue between the older and younger games for children, etc... If I receive this
generations of Vietnamese Americans would award, I will continue in contributing my ef-
be a key to connecting the two generations. forts to the Vietnamese Community of Oregon
Taking the effort to sit down with your loved in order to help it thrive and achieve its goal
ones to establish common ground regarding of celebrating traditional Vietnamese culture
topics such as politics, education, and familial and the aforementioned vision of connecting
values—all which contribute to the divide be- multiple generations of Vietnamese people in
tween older and younger generations—would America
ensure that a sense of understanding exists be-
tween the generations. Even if each parties’ Thiên Từ
opinions stay unchanged, recognizing the thaotvnco@gmail.com
“what” and “why” of each other’s positions 503 349 9232
would help to overcome the disconnect be-

Bản Tin SHCATN Số 6 Ra Ngày 30/4/2022