In the crisp sunlight and windy days of late spring, Quynh H. Vo visited and interviewed nine individuals who are militarized refugees from Vietnam. As war survivors and social, political, and aesthetic activists in the DMV area, the Vietnamese refugees sat down with Quynh in their homes. Between sips of tea and poignant moments, they shared their complex and emotional stories of ocean crossings, perilous flights, and countless ordeals as they struggled to resettle in the US. Their reminiscences reminded Quynh and themselves of April 30th, 1975, when Saigon fell. This year marks the 49th anniversary since the Vietnam War ended; its legacy still haunts generations of the displaced. In some of the interviews, Quynh brought her students from the upper-level course on “AAPI Oral History in the DMV area” with her and engaged them in conversations with the Vietnamese refugees. Their stories illuminated the students’ understanding and awareness of imperial wars, forced migration, and the minor feelings of the displaced, culminating in the students’ midterm projects that will turn into an academic panel at the American Studies Association Annual Meeting in November 2024.
