I Wrote a Book About Diversity and Inclusion… and COVID-19 Has Made it Extremely Relevant
By: Thy Nguyen
Tags: Xenophobia, Covid 19, Asian American, Diversity, Coronavirus

I Wrote a Book About Diversity and Inclusion… and COVID-19 Has Made it Extremely Relevant

On March 10th, 2020, Babson College canceled all campus activities and required that students move out by March 21st to be proactive and combat the COVID-19 pandemic. I was devastated; for me, Babson is my home.

As someone who has moved to different countries, the concept of home has always been unclear to me. Between Vietnam and the United States, I have never quite been able to place myself entirely in either country, but instead, I feel like I belong in both.

The recent COVID-19 outbreak has caused a lot of tension and hysteria, and unfortunately, a lot of pain. Mass hysteria has turned into xenophobia, and Asian people have been the target of this discrimination. Every week, I have seen more and more violence against Asians in the media. Asian people have been called out and mocked in public places. Asian people have been seen as walking diseases, even when they are not sick. Asian people have been beaten up for just walking around the streets. I, personally, have had friends who have experienced racism; my friends have been mockingly coughed on, jeered at, and videotaped in public just because they are Asian. Now is a time when active conversation needs to happen. We need to look at these issues in the face and address them.

This past year, I wrote and published a book called Origins: An Immigrant’s Journey in America. Origins is about my initial journey as an immigrant at the age of twelve from Vietnam to the United States. The story includes short stories, poems, and essays about my experiences and thoughts. I wanted to write this book because I have a passion for social change for marginalized groups, especially as it relates to those experiencing racial micro-aggressions and discrimination. I wanted to create a vehicle for others to feel included, understood, and supported. That is the purpose of the book. I wrote a book about cultural diversity and inclusion, and today, it is incredibly relevant.

This book matters because it starts a conversation. What are the emotions of these people who are experiencing violence? What is their story? Education and awareness are vital to combat this recent xenophobia. Understanding the facts and having empathy for those who are suffering is critical.

Through learning about the stories of others who are different or similar to you, you will be able to empathize with diverse groups and see things in a new way. Xenophobia comes from ignorance and a lack of education, but you can be proactive and make sure you can stay informed. You can have empathy for others around you.

On the last day of in-person classes, as I walked around campus, I saw many tears, hugs, but also bittersweet smiles. The COVID-19 pandemic is a tragedy. We should not be pit against one another but reunite to beat something terrible. The news articles that you see on social media… share them and spark conversation. I hate seeing people being treated with violence because of something that’s not even their fault. The consequences of xenophobia need to be made aware of and changed. This change can happen through sharing stories, conversation, and an effort to understand one another.

In order for you to understand a bit more about my story, I am going to share an excerpt from my book. I want to share this story to begin having these much-needed conversations. Here is an excerpt from Chapter Five of my book:

“Vermin I am a pest in this country. Came from the outside, Born outside of the nation’s soil. Some people consider me vermin, filth. If that’s the case then Let me contaminate more. Let me spread the sickness that is my culture In the country that you deem so welcoming. For I too am a part of this nation now.” -Excerpt from Origins, Thy Nguyen. This material may be protected by copyright.

I chose to share this particular poem from the book because I think it sincerely and best encapsulates the sentiment that a lot of Asian people are feeling in America today. I know Asian people are afraid to go out or cough in public because of paranoia and mass hysteria. I know that I, for one, would be uncomfortable with coughing in public in fear of false speculation from others.

I no longer want to live in fear in my own country. I no longer want my people to live in fear in this country. Conversations need to begin. Awareness needs to spread. I urge you to spark conversation about diversity and inclusion and encourage others to do so. Having empathy goes a long way and prevents feelings of alienation from large groups of people. We are all experiencing this epidemic together; let’s not create further divide and hostility. The only divide and fight we need to have are with COVID-19 itself, not one another.

Below is one review on Amazon for my book that I believe is especially relevant to today’s social and political climate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I wish that my writing can further impact people like I did to this person. I believe that reading my book, Origins, can add tremendous value for you and help you have those conversations, especially in a time like this. For those who share the same sentiment as me, let me be a voice that you can relate to and resonate with to help you feel less alone.

“So Heartfelt and Strikingly Beautiful: Thy Nguyen’s experience resonates in a deeply profound and meaningful way as she talks about her hardships with not only uprooting her life as a eighth grader in Vietnam, but also learning to assimilate to the culture and traditions here. Her poem called “I Am More Than Yellow” is so beautiful and inspiring; it truly speaks to people of color and how our struggles are valid and our experiences heard.”

Here is a link to my book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Origins-Immigrants-Journey-Thy-Nguyen-ebook/dp/B08548R246/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=origins+thy&qid=1583975792&sr=8-1

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at tnguyen2@babson.edu.