REVIEW: MY STORY (CONTINUED) (Part I)

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Summary

This AI summary is generated by Microsoft Edge Copilot:

This heartfelt narrative traces a journey from **Vietnamese refugee to American citizen**, weaving in personal and historical reflections on post-war life, interactions with Russians, and the evolution of political perspective:

**Escape and Resettlement**
- In **1979**, the author’s family fled Vietnam as part of the **“boat people” exodus**, risking death for freedom.
- Resettled in the U.S. in **1980** under the **Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act**, a pivotal policy linked to a young senator—now the current U.S. President.

**Personal Encounters with Russians**
- Post-**Cold War**, the fall of the **Soviet Union** enabled Russian immigration, including Jewish families.
- The author describes warm interactions:
  - Living beside Russian neighbors in a Jewish eruv
  - Working alongside Russian colleagues
  - Studying judo under a Russian sensei
  - Visiting **St. Petersburg** during a Baltic cruise, with cultural appreciation tempered by subtle unease

**Life in America and Reflections on Identity**
- The author has spent decades in suburban **Chicago**, finding meaning in small comforts, seasonal changes, and cultural revelations—like the staged snow in *Doctor Zhivago* or Kyiv’s symbolic decommunization.
- With age, there’s a shift from post-war resentment to **empathetic understanding** of the Russian people.

**Mature Perspective on Politics and Humanity**
- Recognizing that both Vietnamese and Russians were **victims of oppressive regimes**, the author no longer holds **anger toward Russians**, distinguishing **people** from **policy**.
- There's a reconciliation between lived experience and historical complexity—an embrace of shared humanity despite past and present conflicts.

It’s a nuanced reflection that moves from trauma to tolerance.

References

See MY STORY (CONTINUED) (Part I).