“We Are Here Because You Are There”: Viet Thanh Nguyen on How U.S. Foreign Policy Creates Refugees

[@StephiSensei26]

Thanh Nguyen, a very gentle, humble and highly intelligent man who has so much to offer us all. Thank you.

[@aatt3209]

Thank you so much for bringing Prof. Nguyen onto your program, I have learned so much from him and I am going to read his books. Thanks again Amy for all of your hard work showcasing people who exercise critical thinking, as demonstrated by Prof. Nguyen.

[@corneliakoller1914]

thank you too

[@Starwarrior9831]

Some 50 years ago, I saw a photo in Times magazine showing an immigrant, during a protest ,holding a placard, "we are here because you are there". Mr Thanh Nguyen, spot on !

[@sonitawong7993]

There countries are guilty also if war crimes, prejudice, discrimination, and genocide, not just the United States... Their Leadership is guilty also...

[@dividedconquered3784]

When knowing the true history of your Country and fighting to make it better, that's a true Patriot!💚💪

[@oliviawutam]

Nicole, fighting sounds violent which I don't like one bit, there's no justification to attack other people, BTW Americans profess to be very religious.

[@dividedconquered3784]

@@oliviawutam I didn't mean fight as in violence rather like protests!😒

[@robertgreen9150]

Mr. Nguyen is a blessing to have as a writer and an asset to the writing community, a true heart to all and I wish him the very best! I surely hope his parents Are Well and all his family are All Well!!

[@tajaicalip5323]

I felt very connected when I read the words "We are here, because you are there." That is my current situation. This Writer expression was right on point.

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

To see refugees as heroes would lead to caring about their lives, and that's something unfortunately many people don't want to do.

[@larryhughes4058]

Or maybe stop trying to flood the west with economic immigrants and trying to call them refugees.

[@rrbaggett7]

@@larryhughes4058 Well Larry, I've got good news & "bad" news for you. The "bad" news? The demographics of your country are changing...irreversibly. Your great-grandchildren will most likely be multiethnic & multiracial. The good news? One must have a heart to experience a heart attack so you needn't worry. God bless America!

[@larryhughes4058]

@@rrbaggett7 I have some bad news for you. Mass immigration is going to be brought to a screeching halt and there will be a middle class baby boom. Because we are going to make sure of it. Sorry not sorry. Maybe my grandkids will be multi ethnic but they will always be white in culture.

[@sea2959]

@@larryhughes4058 maybe stop raising little Rambo-wannabes and stop bombing others countries civilians to steal resources.

[@larryhughes4058]

@@sea2959 No

[@lexneuron]

“We Are Here Because You Are There”? That is deep!!!

[@jewellquander2444]

Why are any "foreigners" made to feel uncomfortable when they seek a better life in a peaceful land? Aren't they supposed to want a better life, or are they expected to remain in a dangerous situation and not seek safety? If we can't change our Nation's past... is it possible to improve our present and therefore improve/change our future? The bottom line is: we are a Nation of many foreigners. Where is our humanity?

[@federalreservebrown2507]

the dangerous situations were manufactured for fun & profit,, you missed the important message.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

Many assimilated foreigners.

[@jewellquander2444]

@@federalreservebrown2507 No... I didn't miss anything... I wanted to make "my" point. Thanks though...

[@sonitawong7993]

Some of them are racist... Also their governments also participate in genocide and other crimes, not just the United States... A lot of their leaders are guilty too...

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

@@sonitawong7993 as I understand your post it seems as if you are suggesting the US is committing genocide. This is news, where are they doing that?

[@ronhanson9453]

I, for one, always identify with the victims and feel deep sadness and rage when when I see the powerful victimize the helpless.

[@DerekFullerWhoIsGovt]

"They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it" George Carlin

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

More like you have to be awake to grasp it. George was funny, not bright.

[@rebeccaLV]

Bravo! Finally a person who understands the facts of the US and how it has been an aggressor , regardless of what type. And he is able and has courage to speak truth to power; meaning telling Americans how he sees that.

[@larryhughes4058]

Actually the aggressors were the communists in Vietnam.

[@rebeccaLV]

@@larryhughes4058 Obviously you are controlling the platform, (and giving yourself a highlighted reply designation) a bit Orwellian, isn't it? So let's see how open-minded you are and willing to be courageous. I will not mince words, invading another country, like Vietnam, and bending it to your will, IS Imperialistic COLONIALISM. If the US had won the war against the communists Vietnam would be like Puerto Rico, or Guam now. We are a domineering and violent nation. And if you're a veteran of that war, my sympathies, but re-writing history doesn't make it truth.

[@netabaughman3079]

You should see what they have done to the Native Americans. I was at Concho Oklahoma a few days ago. Where is all the natural gas going?

[@Boymanjusri]

Who the fuck are you? Get out of my county go back to your own .

[@netabaughman3079]

Rent is due dude

[@andrer.tannus6155]

Worthy thought

[@PapiElric]

Thank you from france.

[@Fafnd]

Yup 100% agree with Democracy Now and the writer.

[@pschreiber71]

Excellent interview and questions from Amy Goodman! Looking forward to reading Professor Nguyen's books.

[@coreycox2345]

He is brilliant, pschreiber71.

[@benniecrawford6876]

I very well remember when the Vietnamese refugees came here after the war we never should have been in and the majority of the American people hated them never realizing and never caring that those South Vietnamese were on our side and helped us and Nixon promised them they could come. I think there will always be a segment of Americans that hate anyone different , it’s what I’ve seen all my life and it’s not getting better.

[@jwclau1]

Indigenous Rights should be the priority in any work related to addressing america's colonial past and present. Great work Nguyen

[@andrearenee7845]

Thank you Mr. Nguyen for all you do. Refugees are a gift from the Creator. And the way we treat them is either healing, or fearing. And the solution won't come... US was NOT founded.. It was, and still is occupied... Go from there. Healing or fearing...

[@dividedconquered3784]

Hypocrisy has become a Plutocracy!😉

[@susanarupolo2212]

Thank you professor, you are calling things by its own name. You are a wise Human Being

[@healingasthmaacasestudy9851]

I love all your books! Thank you for sharing your excellent talent with the world.

[@Claytone-Records]

What an incredible story Mr. Nguyen has. I was in Okinawa when the mass exodus from South Vietnam happened. Times and attitudes have certainly changed concerning refugees. It was interesting to hear him say that the US acceptance of Vietnamese refugees was good PR.

[@KSunshine]

Very well worded and clearly spoken. You are expressing what I am feeling but unable to put a word on it.!

[@jonoc976]

There should be more exposure of the effects of the AGENT ORANGE and other Chemical and other stuff on current disabled newly-borns in Vietnam to the American people especially to Vietnam Vets so that they will give aid for the care of these disabled children in SE Asia as well as among Australian Vietnam veteran families.

[@oliviawutam]

I am worried for the professor, his opinions are not welcome in the US as far as I can see

[@ramonng7054]

so true, everyone of the world is here, because Americans are everywhere in the world..

[@candywilson1442]

So true sir!

[@ramonng7054]

best thing I learned from this smart man...that colonization is renamed the "american dream", and one has to be asleep to have it.

[@2u263]

I see myself as a person without a country

[@NellieKAdaba]

I consider myself international and a world citizen, but I wouldn't travel to certain countries where there is conflict, authoritarianism or totalitarianism.

[@titikati]

So true. We have no home country to go to for our vacation.

[@jon_nomad]

*UN introduced a bill that called for global action against racism.* Voting Summary: Yes: 106. No: 14. Abstentions: 44. Non-Voting: 29. Total voting membership: 193. More than 100 countries voted “Yes.” *Guess who voted against it*~ *USA, UK, Australia, Canada* These are the countries constantly calling out other countries on human rights & freedom.

[@barbarasmith6005]

Why am I not surprised? The U. S. and Australia have been notorious settler-colonizers, invaders, and genociders. And then they have the arrogance to deny persecuted peoples entry. into lands they stole.

[@oliviawutam]

There is at least one more. it is tabu to mention it

[@johnbuckner2828]

It's best to always read what's in the bill, and the reason given for voting for or against; I haven't seen this one but much of the time what's in the actual bill doesn't reflect the name of the bill. Chomsky explains how politicians will use language to frame a narrative, so I'm hesitant to just accept that the US and Australia voted against it because they are simply racist.

[@camelopardalis84]

@@oliviawutam You must be talking about Israel.

[@jefflynne3660]

figures, what about 🇮🇱?

[@richardpalmer1502]

👍

[@candywilson1442]

Heck a lot of races are here because of the United States actions in other countries.

[@sonitawong7993]

You have to also have take into consideration the Leadership in their own countries, The United States does not always do evil by itself... tThey have discrimination and genocide also...You can see this in some of prejudice and racist immigrant mentality when they are in this country...

[@musicloverkathy]

THE SYMPATHIZER is a great book. I recommended it to a shrink I knew who was one of the most compassionate people I knew. Shortly after, he committed suicide. I don't think the book was relevant to that, but it was an odd juxtaposition.

[@tupacamaru9627]

How come you never invite Aaron Mate or Max Blumenthal ( both top notch journalists) on to your program to discuss Venezuela or Syria or Gaza etc....

[@johnsonsvideoeditingjohnso5793]

Please God bring peace to humanity.

[@leslieboles6439]

Yes, any parent who would send their child across the border unaccompanied must be desperate for a better life for their child.

[@federalreservebrown2507]

school of the americas makes sure that desperation takes place,,,, smh....

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

@@federalreservebrown2507 perhaps they should change their country. If you are that desperate ...

[@federalreservebrown2507]

@@theccpisaparasite8813 look you lil boot licker you,, they would love to but can't, you would never guess why either SFB.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

@@federalreservebrown2507 can't or won't? Revolutions happen everyday. What sort of parent drives a 5 year old child up to the border of a foreign country, kicks a kid out of the door, and says 'See you sonny!' That's vile. Exposing them to child molesters, scam artists, God knows what

[@nickismith4787]

I was thinking they must believe a detention center means better care for their child. They will learn English and be employable when they grow up.

[@netabaughman3079]

I grew up around these indians and a treat was corn syrup with food coloring. Commodities

[@أحمدخلف-ش1ز]

I never thought of the American dream as the new colonization thanks, but you seem more fixate on past colonization rather than address current colonization hello from US navy 5th fleet colony.

[@akbarfarzin9857]

There is aLots of writers!!! To writing truth but we don’t have good Reader to Accept the truth!!!!

[@Johnpaul-j8e]

People will be kicking themselves in few weeks if they miss the opportunity to buy and invest in bitcoin

[@Marchoupi]

Mr Nguyen, watching Apocalypse now at 11 years old.....Of course you will be traumatized, it's rated R.

[@cybercuichi]

Two passages in the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth espousing the positive form of : Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Nothing new by any means, and very likely it was taken from even further ancient roots like Zoroastrianism, and Hinduism, and present on many Religions around the World, who have similar sayings, just common sense, somehow we need to be remind it often.

[@anthonyromano8565]

I get it but are you going to compare the seamanship of Spain with people drifting on the currents in a raft?

[@rgcwow]

This interview was supposed to be about racism toward Asians. But this guest turned it into a predominately Chinese propaganda piece against USA Gvt. Policy toward China. He did that to the degree that the majority of his script could just as well have been written for him by the CPC. Shame on you DN for letting that happen like that.

[@akbarfarzin9857]

HOW many countries doing that to spread children from theirs families and why ???what is value of family!!!

[@r.lewisblake7793]

Love you Amy, but “Ulysses was on a boat”? Give me a break🤦🏾‍♂️

[@MandawalaHimi]

We are here because you are there! Is this expression by great meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh?

[@christopherraymond4826]

... globalist, CIA, drugs, the corporate state, hegelian dialectics... Vietnam, Latin America...same difference ...

[@bokhans]

To expect decency from a nation that burned woman and children to death by napalm in your old homeland, not because they where in any way a danger to USA but because bombs and lost helicopters was a fantastic income for the military industrial complex is maybe a bit sad!

[@charlieduvall6463]

You won't learn that shit in public schools universities or media news.

[@corneliakoller1914]

coko

[@corneliakoller1914]

[@corneliakoller1914]

[@georgialynnjones3955]

mssg twice

[@jacktran7024]

china and former ussr were there too..he doesn't dare say anything about china though---typical America bashing from him. this dude is the epitome of white privilege. he went to Bellarmine Prep in San Jose (it aint cheap)--a private school in the late 80s and when most REAL Vietnamese Refugees just came here (in late 70s/80s) via Thailand/Philippines/Malaysia/Indonesia after living in horrible refugee camps (i know i was there) just came over here could barely get by and his family sent him to Bellarmine Prep...he's using the 'refugee' status to make whites feel sorry for him. he's no refugee lol. his family got connection and jettisoned out of vietnam in april/may 1975. he's faking the made up drama about separation at 4 years old..man there were young girls on my refugee boat that got raped by thai pirates--now that is real suffering.

[@RocketmanRockyMatrix]

Vietnam isn't where the pandemic started. It was China.

[@gtaytay2635]

@Free Assange What does Gates being a US citizen have to do w/ pandemic starting in China? You know Gates can travel wherever the hell he wants, right? He could be a Canadian citizen and it wouldn't change the fact that his Dad started the US industrial abortion machine, or the fact that he's a Eugenicist who wants 95% of the world population dead. Again, what's your point?

[@gtaytay2635]

@Free Assange Julian's been in witness protection since 2016, btw. Wake up.

[@josevelazquez6285]

@@gtaytay2635 he is part of a refuge group from Europe. As all Europeans descendant are. Aply the same name for all people.

[@seamusin1697]

That apparently makes no difference when considering the over 3,800 attacks carried out against Asian Americans of various backgrounds in the past year. Furthermore, hate crimes against Asian Americans have gone up by 150% since Trump defiantly decided against the advice of many representatives in Asian American communities to continue using ethnic modifiers like "Kung Flu" and "Chinavirus" to mock the virus and attack and ridicule China

[@1jediwitch]

Perhaps you should stop drinking the QanonNutjob Kool-aid?

[@moussaouiahmed]

.........................................AM

[@weirdshibainu]

Not even close...try harder

[@georgeomole14]

What is your point to refute this?

[@kgwal4760]

Us imperialism=violence= fleeing from countries that have been destroyed by violence. It’s not rocket science

[@kgwal4760]

@@georgeomole14 he’s probably a fascist

[@1jediwitch]

The imperialist endless wars for all of the natural resources has been US's game plan since the late 1800's. Also the Vietnam War, & the Korean War were the US's proxy wars against the USSR & Republic of China, the Gulf of Tonkin incident was a fabrication by the US/CIA in order to force public sentiment to send US troops to Vietnam. The term 'Banana Republic', is from the scorched earth tactics of South America, where American Corporations wanted to have access & complete control of. CIA & the Dole fruit company worked hand in hand to topple fairly elected governments to implement the US's handpicked puppet governments who were friendly to the US's Corporations. Al Qaeda & the Taliban, were created from the Mujahideen whom the US & CIA got to fight our (USA's) proxy war against the USSR in Afghanistan in the 1980's.

[@weirdshibainu]

@@kgwal4760 Where you're wrong is that even in countries without so called "u.s imperialism" they are often led by weak , corrupt institutions that cannot protect their citiizens. That history goes back decades. It's not rocket science.

[@corneliakoller1914]

coko