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Download Free DOCXRethinking Vietnamese Diasporic Subjectivity: A book review of The Vietnamese Dream in Vietnamese by Nhi T. LieuJonathan Lưuvisibility

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Abstract

AI

This review examines Nhi T. Lieu's work, "The Vietnamese Dream in Vietnamese," which explores the complexities of Vietnamese diasporic identity amid global capitalism. The book analyzes the economic and political maneuvers of Vietnamese subjects in the diaspora, particularly in Little Saigon, where identity politics intersect with capital gain and cultural authenticity. Lieu highlights the challenges of achieving self-subjectivity for Vietnamese people in the context of neoliberal influences and the remnants of colonial practices, ultimately questioning the implications of the American Dream for the Vietnamese community.

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Key takeaways

AI

1. Nhi T. Lieu critiques Vietnamese diasporic identity through the lens of race, ethnicity, and capitalism.
2. The concept of overlapping diasporas highlights identity manipulation for economic gain in Vietnamese communities.
3. The ao dai symbolizes cultural nostalgia and gender expectations, reinforcing bourgeois diasporic subjectivity.
4. Diasporic media productions reshape Vietnamese identity, moving away from the impoverished refugee narrative.
5. Lieu emphasizes the need to reconcile Vietnamese self-subjectivity with the realities of Western capitalism.

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FAQs

AI

What role does identity manipulation play in capitalist outcomes for Vietnamese diasporas?add

The study finds that Vietnamese diaspora participants utilize identity politics, particularly ethnicity, to gain economic advantages in capitalist systems, as seen in Little Saigon's development under Frank Jao's leadership.

How does the ao dai serve as a symbol in Vietnamese beauty pageants?add

Lieu argues that the ao dai represents both cultural nationalism and gendered expectations, demanding a flattering fit that sexualizes women while embodying nostalgic ties to Vietnam's past resistance against colonialism.

What does the book reveal about ethnic tensions among Vietnamese Americans?add

The analysis highlights ongoing ethnic competition between Vietnamese and ethnic Chinese communities, exemplified by entrepreneurial rivalry in diasporic contexts, affecting communal identity and political power dynamics.

How have media representations influenced Vietnamese diasporic identity?add

The research indicates that niche media productions have transitioned from depicting impoverished refugee identities to embracing a bourgeois ethnic identity, reflecting a broader transformation in the representation of Vietnamese selfhood.

What implications does the Catholic Church have on Vietnamese diasporic politics?add

Although not centrally discussed, the text implies the Church's potential role in shaping political ideology within the diaspora, particularly regarding the alignment of religious and capitalist values among Vietnamese Americans.

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