“At the playground of the Saint Paul Liberty Plaza Townhomes, children screamed and laughed like background music to the stories my grandmother told in front of our townhome. At times, I was the guilty ‘musician’ participating in the screaming, but mostly, I was her favorite audience member.”

“I would sit and listen to the stories of her journey to America, not quite at an age where I could appreciate the incredible lessons and history she lived through. She was a survivor of the Japanese occupation in China, the war in Vietnam, immigration to Minnesota, and later in her life— a global pandemic.

“I was always left in wonder, amazed by her willpower and mental tenacity. But it made sense. She held each tragedy close, right next to the gratitude she had for the people and community that supported her. From securing housing and navigating countless paperwork, to opening a savings account, to learning the bus transportation system. Every step was made possible through the unwavering support of the multi-generational Minnesota Asian American community. These people made it possible for a non-English speaking immigrant in her forties without immediate family to establish a life in Minnesota. 

“I was fortunate enough to be a part of and witness the community my grandmother established for herself. It made growing up easier. I never saw myself as a minority but as part of a vibrant community of color and a network of Vietnamese immigrants who cared for one another. My K-12 experience was also informed by attending low-income schools and students of color with whom I could embrace and celebrate our unique and interdependent experiences and identities.”

“Community became a core value and the social capital I carried throughout. In college, I was with the Asian American Student Union; as an artist, my first professional play was with an all-Asian cast; and without doubt, I will continue to find and create opportunities for communal care. 

“Although the Asian American community in Minnesota might be considered smaller than the coastal states, in our midst, we nurtured and uplifted one another, shared resources with boundless generosity. Our story is a testament to the power of community and the remarkable strength that emerges when people come together.

“Earlier this year, my grandmother passed away. The communities we created together showed up, and together, we cried and grieved the wondrous life she lived. Until the end, her life is a reminder; it is crucial in all my endeavors I lead with love. Her spirit of love manifests a drive in me to uplift and support those around me, extending the same compassion and guidance generously bestowed upon us. That is the legacy of her story interwoven with mine.”