OPEN LETTER FROM PIVOT TO THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY

October 31, 2019
Tung Nguyen, PIVOT President

This coming year 2020 will mark the 45th anniversary of the first settlement of Vietnamese refugees in the US. This is a long span of time, more than twice as long as the history of the South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. The majority of refugees have lived here longer than in Vietnam. We will never forget our homeland, but in reality, we have adopted the US to be our new country, the land that has nurtured us and will continue to do the same for our children and grandchildren’s generations.

Refugees like us defied the untold hardship and danger to reach new shores to find freedom, and this country did open her arms to welcome and protect us. Yet today, many refugees and immigrants in circumstances similar to ours then, do not receive the same humanity and generosity when they try to come here. Moreover, the US is facing challenges from within and without. The year 2020 is a great opportunity for all of us to work toward building an America that is better for everyone.

PIVOT, The Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, was founded a few months after the 2016 election, because there was a yearning among us to change the way we think about and exchange views on issues concerning the US. Within a short time, our call was answered by Vietnamese Americans from all walks of life from many parts of this country. Those who have joined PIVOT include social activists, community leaders, professionals, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, workers, artists, students, etc... This showed that the desire for change was not limited to the founders of PIVOT, but was a concern of many Vietnamese Americans.

At PIVOT, we are determined to collaborate with any organization and individual to increase the political power and social influence of Vietnamese Americans to serve the needs of our community and all Americans. We do not believe that America belongs to any ethnic group, socio-economic class, gender or sexual orientation alone, but to all Americans.

PIVOT plans to publish a series of substantive and balanced articles to help our community gain a balanced view of the important issues that must be considered in the 2020 election. We aim to inform on governmental policies and the impacts of those policies, based solely on the truth (not ‘faked news’). The subjects of these articles will range from climate change, gun violence, policies toward immigrants and refugees, health insurance, economic policies, etc... Through them, we hope to energize Vietnamese Americans to participate in activities that can bring about change, such as voting or convincing others to vote. This is the most direct and effective way we can influence outcomes that are beneficial to Vietnamese Americans.

PIVOT’s objective is always to facilitate meaningful dialogue in our community on important issues, based on the truth and in a spirit of mutual respect. This dialogue will help us in reaching a collective understanding of the roles of Vietnamese Americans in the efforts to build a better future for everyone.