Vietnamese youth must rise up: leader

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2...10/3578997.html


Young Vietnamese must take a more active role in their community if they’re to eliminate the stigma of drug and gang ties, says the 28-year-old head of the Edmonton Viets Association.

But Andrew Nguyen says exposing youth to positive lifestyle choices isn’t easy, and that can be frustrating for community leaders.

“It’s difficult to get young people involved in what we do, promoting our culture and celebrating our heritage,” he said, pointing out how few among the thousands attending Saturday’s celebration of Tet - Vietnamese New Year - at the Shaw Conference Centre were teens and 20-somethings.

“We’re not about drugs and guns, but often the only news we hear (of the Vietnamese community) involves crime. Young people need better examples, so they can feel empowered by choosing not to hang out with (criminals).

“It’s about awareness across all generations. Parents who came obsessed with making money to feed their families are developing a more active interest in their kids today, and are helping build a stronger community.

“Those involved in crime come from all segments of society, and are a small minority of Edmontonians.”

One of several booths at the pavilion promoted a Vietnamese youth group based in Calgary. Another helped immigrant and refugee families link up with health care services.

“These kinds of things we are most proud of,” Nguyen said.

The Vietnamese community in Edmonton is around 10,000 strong and this year celebrates the Year of the Pig, which represents strength and dignity, he said.

Presenters at Saturday’s celebration included dragon dancers, singers, and kung-fu students.

Hung Ngo, 59, came to Edmonton as a refugee in 1984, and said he is proud of local teens and young adults, despite the fact most youth attending the celebration were young children.

“Youth in Edmonton are taking full advantage of the sacrifices their parents made to find better lives in Canada,” said Ngo, whose three children are engineers and pharmacists.

He served as a lieutenant with the South Vietnamese Army before fleeing to Canada. He joined in 1969, one year after the Tet Offensive, a bloody series of battles that were launched during New Year celebrations and sparked the American anti-war movement.

“The opportunities are here for those willing to work for them. And in Canada, the work is worth it.

“Many of us take for granted how good we have it here. But I’ll take cold weather over communism any day. I feel a freedom in Canada that no other country can provide.”

bmerritt@edmsun.com

yes! we can start by killing those fu-kers thats telling us to rise up !

Man, you are always angry ! Memo to self: don't tell ntn1987 to rise up, if you value your life

Regarding the article, yep the young Vietnamese generation over sea should rise up get a proper education and pursue a career. Others would kill to have the opportunity and chances that you have.

why have education when u can be gangsta and erotic like Chuckie Akenz

Education...check, check, check.

Career...check.

Role model...check.

Model citizen...check.

Community leader....still working on it..

Chuckie Akenz makes me so proud to be who I am.

SE China is blamming us Viets for their Meth problems in their community.