I remember the childish excitement as my parents took my hand and led me down a bustling alley to my grandparents. During Tết, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the streets are overwhelmed with pops of firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, lion dance performances bringing good fortune, and people in their beautiful áo dài (traditional dresses). Aunts, uncles, and in-laws congregate to feast, pray, and give the children lì xì (lucky red envelopes).
My name is Hoang Nguyen, the Director of Government Affairs at AAPI Equity Alliance. And, aside from the thrill of receiving money as a kid, my favorite memory was playing traditional games with my cousins! From cờ cá ngựa (chess) to bầu cua cá cọp (dice game), Tết became the one time of the year we all gathered and laughed together like this.
Things changed when my family moved to Little Saigon, California for a better life. Tết in America felt different, with my parents working at the restaurant and my extended family thousands of miles away. But, as the years passed, I grew older and my family grew bigger.
I was determined to see my younger cousins, nieces, and nephews – many of whom haven’t stepped foot in their homeland – enjoy the same traditions as I did. Each Tết, I began hosting both traditional and modern games to bridge the gap between them and our shared heritage. It was truly a full circle moment, preserving tradition and sharing it with the next generation of Vietnamese Americans.
It’s moments like these that make me wonder how different life would be if it weren’t for policies that welcomed and celebrated immigrants like my family and me. The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has and continues to shape American society, from Wong Kim Ark’s legacy in securing the constitutional right of birthright citizenship in 1898 to California recognizing Lunar New Year as an official state holiday in 2022.
With the recent attacks on birthright citizenship and immigrants, our communities are more vulnerable than ever. According to AAPI Data, a majority (51%) of Asians are foreign-born and one in seven Asians are unauthorized immigrants. It’s people like my family, and perhaps yours, who endure the consequences of policies threatening the rights of future generations to come. We belong in America, a nation with a rich history of diverse cultures and a home to all immigrants.
The Year of the Snake represents transformation and adaptability. The snake sheds its old skin and is highly fluid in nature. As we ring in the Lunar New Year together, let us also reflect on the power of renewed energy and the practice of adapting to oncoming challenges. Surround yourself with your loved ones, celebrate loud and proud, and return to join us in our fight for a brighter future.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
With care,
Hoàng Nguyễn
Director of Government Affairs
