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The Evolution of the Vietnamese Community and Vovinam
Mon - 09/03/2007

Generation after generation mankind has sought and innovated ideas for the development of life on earth. Each movement and establishment has led to newer and bigger ideas; light bulbs replace the bickering of the sun, automobiles direct transportation, and computers connect our overflowing world.

1975 marks the fall of Saigon, following that year, many Vietnamese refugees migrated to the U.S. During the peak of Vietnamese immigration in the mid to late 70s, an average of 120,000 Vietnamese entered the U.S. each year. There they settled in various cities in various states, while the majority gravitated towards California and Texas, few found themselves in unconsidered places such as Alabama. Along with their hopes, Vietnamese communities brought their culture into their new world. Vovinam, the Vietnamese martial arts founded by the late grand master Nguyen Loc was apart of the culture since 1912. The teaching of martial arts which has historically followed the cultural traditions created the mindset that most Asians practice martial arts, and perhaps a stereotype. Asians have upheld the qualities of not only combat skills, fitness, and self-defense but also self-cultivation, mental discipline, character development and almost anything positive through the practice of martial arts. This wired mindset has influenced the interest of the first of many generations in learning martial arts. And some felt it was a necessity to uphold the importance of their culture. Vovinam is no exception to the tradition. Early Vovinam students practiced in hopes of glorifying their skills and honing the perfection of their individual style. Some were motivated to practice Vovinam simply to exchange and compare techniques of the style originated from their homeland. Others felt a special brotherhood prosper as they banded together in the purest joy of practicing Vovinam with each individual rendering a unique personality. And many entrusted others’ legs around their necks as they risk it all in order to find the strength to discover what they’re made of. All of these reasons make up the reputation of the school in which every student strives to uphold and protect.

            As the Vietnamese population settled in the U.S., they quickly but inevitably adapted to the way of life here, as how any ethnic group would. From food to income, the American life serves as an amenity to the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese can occupy any American occupation, well besides being president. The tolerance level of raising children has changed substantially. Beating or spanking was outlawed by the American concern for the children’s mental state such as depression, but instead this has caused spoiling children to become more common. On the contrary, some take the opposite approach, extensive parental control. Feelings of overprotection, humiliation, and unwilling forcefulness are symptoms children suffer from parental control. But in the end, don’t all parents only want the best for their kids? Many traditions are lost in the translation of life. Even the Vietnamese language is heading for the same end. Vovinam is a victim of the deficiency of Vietnamese culture. Some students are forcefully admitted to learn martial arts in order to have something to do such as to have a social life, to give parents free time, and maybe some join in hopes to learn. Vovinam would be suppressed into becoming a day care center if more and more students are there just to be somewhere. The days of training to the limit of physical demands are discouragingly replaced by the days of training to the limit of parental demands. Instructors are questioned by the parents concerning the legitimacy of their teaching. Some parents may even sit and stalk carefully for the safety of their child. Some even forbid their children to participate in particular exercises such as sparring due to safety concerns. The parents have put so many restrictions upon their children that it takes away the experiences Vovinam has to offer.

            Looking back, we had no idea what to expect. We were a bunch of kids with nothing in common except for the desire to learn how to fight. We took upon a few broken bones, hundreds of bruises, thousands of sweaty days, and a whole lot of dedication to get to where we are today. There are many benefits that evolution has to offer us and much to be complimented on such as equipment, facility, and much much more. But how has evolution hindered the future of Vovinam teachings? Each movement and establishments WERE intended to better mankind, however as I see it, it is taking much more away from us than it is giving. Where will Vovinam be in the future? Will Vovinam be lost in the cultural translation?? If each Vovinam center neglects the evolution problem then the generations of students will slowly reduce, and at the end they can only look back generations before generations.

 
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