In Valverde's book, I was intrigued by the chapter "Whose Community is it Anyway." A problem that arose from this chapter was the naming of a business district. When the name "Little Saigon" did not go through, many of the Vietnamese elders were enraged and acted against Madison Nguyen. As I read the contents of this chapter, I questioned the anger and hatred coming from the elders toward Madison. Was it her identity that caused the issue to grow bigger? or was it the hopes the community had for her the reason she was in a difficult position? Little was mentioned about the reaction of the elders toward other ethnic or workers who have a word in the decision of naming the district. Thus, I can only assume that because Madison was Vietnamese, she is the only one the protesters can rally against. Also, I assumed that because she was a representative that many had high hope for, her decision to not choose the name caused a sense of betrayal. The result of this betrayal made her seen as traitor and a communist. I feel that the older generation actions does not coincide with the purpose of naming the district Little Saigon. As mentioned, the name was to represent anticommunism and the refugees experience, but I see their actions as a way of making a name for themselves and outgrowing other Little Saigon in Southern California.
By: Mai Vang
Question: What made the elders feel like they were the majority?
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