As PIVOT marks its seventh birthday on February 21, 2024, we reflect on the remarkable journey we've traveled together and the impactful work we have accomplished.
Over the past seven years, PIVOT, our Vietnamese American progressive organization, has been steadfast in our commitment to advancing progressive candidates and policies that benefit Vietnamese Americans and all communities.
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B.S. Nguyễn T Tùng
Năm nay Mồng một tết Giáp Thìn là ngày 10 tháng Hai dương lịch. Trong nền văn hoá Việt Nam, rồng chiếm một vị trí đặc biệt , bởi vì theo truyền thuyết thì chúng ta là con cháu của tiên nữ Âu cơ và Lạc Long Quân, chúa tể loài rồng.
Với một người mẹ tiên, dân tộc ta là một dân tộc có nhiều ước mơ. Chúng ta mơ ước gì? Chúng ta mơ ước tự do––tự do trong tư tưởng và trong cuộc sống.
Vì tổ tiên ta là rồng, chúng ta là những con người tràn đầy sức mạnh và nhiệt khí. Vậy chúng ta dùng sức mạnh trong nhiệt huyết của mình để làm gì? Để cam chắc nền tự do cho chúng ta và cho mọi người khác.
Không phải người Việt nào cũng tin vào huyền thoại Con Rồng Cháu Tiên, nhưng hầu như tất cả người Mỹ gốc Việt nào cũng có lòng mơ ước mạnh mẽ. Cha mẹ ta và nhiều người trong chúng ta đã từng liều thân vượt biển bao la. Chúng ta không những đã thoát khỏi tay tử thần mà còn vươn lên xây cất một cuộc sống thịnh vượng, xứng danh con rồng cháu tiên.
Nhưng nền tự do chúng ta từng mơ ước và đạt được đang bị đe doạ. Nền Dân Chủ đã và đang bị lâm nguy, suy yếu bởi nhiều nguồn tin thất thiệt và những cuộc bạo động tìm cách lật đổ chánh quyền chân chính, và những tay côn đồ đó ngày nay đang trở lại quấy phá trong cuộc bầu cử năm 2024. Quyền phụ nữ đã bị hạn chế. Nền an ninh của chúng ta đang tiếp tục bị đe doạ bởi nạn kỳ thị người Á Đông và bởi súng đạn lan tràn không kiểm soát.
Năm 2024, PIVOT sẽ tiếp tục nỗ lực tổ chức trên toàn quốc để bảo vệ nền dân chủ, cùng ra tay xây đắp nền kinh tế vững mạnh, tìm cách bảo vệ quyền lợi phụ nữ và các quyền lợi công dân khác, xây dựng an ninh cộng đồng, và duy trì mong ước cho tương lai bằng cách phát triển cơ hội truy cập một nền giáo dục với chất lượng cao, cũng như đối phó với những tai biến do sự thay đổi khí hậu và môi trường gây ra.
Trong năm tới Giáp Thìn 2024, với sự đóng góp của chương trình Việt Kiểm Tin–VietFactCheck, PIVOT sẽ tăng cường bổ sung công tác chống nạn Tin Giả và gây phấn khởi bằng cách mang đến cử tri những thông tin về bầu cử cần thiết bằng song ngữ Việt Mỹ. Chương trình Câu Chuyện Người Mỹ Gốc Việt––VietAm Stories sẽ được phát triển để kết nối các thế hệ. Chúng tôi sẽ bành trướng các chiến dịch truyền thông bằng điện tử lẫn các mục truyền thông dân tộc cổ truyền từng có ảnh hưởng sâu đậm trên cộng đồng. Các thanh thiếu niên chính trị gia trẻ tuổi trong giai đoạn thực tập và phát triển tài năng sẽ đến cùng cử tri Mỹ gốc Việt ngay tại nơi sinh sống của cộng đồng.
Chúng tôi tha thiết kêu gọi sự đóng góp công sức và tài chánh của mọi tiên nữ và long quân già trẻ, những người đang nuôi dưỡng ước mơ hay những ai đang ra công xây đắp. Chúng tôi cần tất cả mọi hình thức giúp đỡ—từ quyên góp xây quỹ đến hy sinh thời gian cùng chung sức đóng góp tài năng.
Hãy tham gia cộng tác với Nhóm Bầu Cử của PIVOT hay đóng góp vào quỹ bầu cử qua mã QR kèm đây và hãy đến với chúng tôi trong ngày ra mắt kêu gọi Bước Vào Hành Động––March into Action ngày thứ bẩy mồng 9 tháng 3, 2024 lúc 10 giờ sáng giờ Cali tại trang mạng Pivotnetwork.org.
February 2, 2024
On February 10, we celebrate Tết, the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. Dragons hold a special place in Vietnamese culture because our origin story goes back to Âu Cơ, a fairy princess, and Lạc Long Quân, a lord of the dragons.
As descendants of a fairy and dragon, we are people who manifest our dreams, overcome adversities, and value our freedom and independence above all.
Legends aside, we Vietnamese Americans are powerful embodiments of the American Dream. We and our parents risked our lives to travel across thousands of miles of sea. We not only survived but thrived to build our lives and our communities. We are con rồng cháu tiên.
Yet the freedom we sought and found in the U.S. is under threat. Democracy has been weakened by disinformation and insurrection, and the people who were responsible are back in the 2024 elections. The rights of women have been restricted. Our safety is threatened by anti-Asian hate and the proliferation of guns.
In 2024, PIVOT will be organizing across the country to defend democracy, build a strong economy, protect women’s and other civil rights, build safe communities, and sustain hope for the future by expanding accessible high-quality education and addressing the climate crisis.
In the Year of the Dragon, PIVOT will expand our work to fight disinformation and engage voters by giving them the information they need in English and Vietnamese through our nationally recognized VietFactCheck program. To help with intergenerational communication, we will launch our VietAm Stories project. We will expand our highly impactful digital and traditional ethnic media campaigns. Our PIVOT Fellows will engage Vietnamese American voters where they live.
We need young and old, fairies and dragons, dreamers and doers. We need caring Vietnamese Americans to step up—from donating funds that you can afford to sharing your time and skills to help us reach Vietnamese American voters.
Join our Elections team by visiting our elections webpage, donate today here, and come to our virtual March into Action event on Saturday, March 9 at 10 am PT.
-PIVOT Board President, Dr. Tung Nguyen
PIVOT Note: Han Tran was a candidate endorsed by PIVOT and she successfully won her election in the November 2023 election. We chatted with her to get her post-election thoughts on how it feels to win, and to talk about what she hopes to accomplish.
How does it feel to win the election? What do you hope to accomplish?
Life has come full circle for me. The Northshore School District played a pivotal role in shaping my adolescence during my time at Inglemoor High, where memories of shared achievements, like surpassing our can food drive goals in order to get a major pop artist like Christina Aguilera to perform in our gym, are etched in my mind. Or the hours that I spent in pottery class and being able to be an assistant for the ceramics teacher. Or team building through sports. It's the same district that fostered an environment of warmth and acceptance, shaping my positive experiences.
Now, after traveling the world, I find myself drawn back to contribute to the district where I've formed so many fond memories. The same educator who once organized those impactful can food drive events encouraged me to run for the school board and after a decisive win of over 55% combined votes in Snohomish and King County, I get to be a director in the same district my young children are attending school.
My vision is to ensure that every student in the Northshore School District can experience the same welcoming environment and build joyous memories that will stay with them into adulthood. A beautiful and identity-affirming educational environment is crucial for students to focus on their studies without worrying about safety or basic needs. A district that supports its educators and provides them the support they need to be the best for the students is also part of my vision.
Reflecting on my journey, PIVOT has been a similar source of support. It's a community where our identities are celebrated and I feel a sense of belonging. These gatherings have not only allowed me to connect with local small business owners and other families but also provided a platform to invite people to campaign events, with some PIVOT members even attending the campaign kick-off. Having supporters for my campaign was crucial. No one runs a campaign like this alone.
In turn, I do not expect to govern alone. Being a school board director requires a team player mentality. With four other school board directors, we must communicate a unified vision to the administration. Especially in a time of crisis. The Northshore School District is facing a significant challenge in conveying the importance of public education to state and federal elected officials. A looming $26 million crisis threatens the very fabric of the educational system in Northshore. The board has to make difficult decisions on which essential programs we need to cut. This financial struggle is not unique to Northshore, and my concern is that without prompt intervention, the vision of creating a robust, equitable, and inclusive educational program, along with a beautiful learning environment, may remain elusive.
The alarming defunding of public education is a perilous trend that demands our attention whether one has children or not because that child that grows up will be the next generation of adults who will be making decisions while we are elders. We want them to be successful and have all the tools they need to make informed decisions.
Every child deserves quality education and every educator deserves support to give their students the best chance at a vibrant and fulfilled life beyond the classroom. I hope we help students in the Northshore district reach their full potential.
Originally shared in PIVOT Newsletter on Saturday, 11/10/23. Know anyone interested in PIVOT? Sign-up for our mailing list here.
Hi, PIVOT friends and colleagues!
I'm Saoli Nguyen and I have the honor of being the new Managing Editor of Viet Fact Check (VFC). I'm originally from Texas and now live in Brooklyn. Outside of being a rabble-rouser, I am a documentary filmmaker, freelance editor, and multimedia producer.
Since joining the VFC team as Social Media Manager in 2021, I have been proud to witness the tangible positive effects of our work. Likewise, I am often made aware that there is still much to be done. I am ready to face that challenge and I hope you join me on this journey.
I strive not only to help Viet Fact Check strengthen our ability to combat the harmful misinformation affecting our communities, but to help VFC evolve. I can't do it alone! If you want to join the VFC team as a writer, researcher, fact-checker, translator, or social media manager, please contact me at vietfactcheck@gmail.com.
I am excited to step into this role and look forward to supporting, collaborating with, and hearing from all of you going forward.
In solidarity,
Saoli Nguyen
The 2024 Presidential/General election is one year away (November 5, 2024)! While it may seem early, there are so many things we need to do to prep for these elections to bring a progressive voice to the Vietnamese American community, at the local, state, and federal level. We are looking for volunteers, fellows, and coordinators. If you are interested, please sign-up and we'll get in contact with you in upcoming weeks.
Thank you for everyone who joined us in Westminster (CA), Bay Area (CA), and Houston (TX) for our Pho the People events across the country. We had great food, and even better conversations about the future of PIVOT and the work we plan to do leading up to the critical 2024 Elections. We hope that next year we can bring this even to more places around the country! We were able to raise over $18,000, with generous matching donors bringing our total to over $36,000.
Support with Pho the People Merch
Couldn't make it, but want to support? Our generous donors are matching up to $40,000, so any donations made to PIVOT will double through the end of the year.
DVAN is excited to host Pulitzer-Prize winning author, Viet Thanh Nguyen, at San Jose's City Hall Rotunda to discuss his new memoir, A Man of Two Faces which explores Vietnamese refugeehood, displacement, finding belonging, reclaiming cultural power and celebrating the Vietnamese community. The night is moderated by and in conversation with notable writer Cathy Park Hong, author of Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning.
Viet Thanh Nguyen will sign books at this event- be sure to order your copy of A Man of Two Faces through Eastwind Books of Berkeley! Put "DVAN" as the promo code, and 10% of the sale will go directly to DVAN. Books can be picked up at the event (be sure to select 'pick-up' when ordering)!
Onsite registration is also available! However, space is limited to venue capacity. To confirm a spot, please register with an Eventbrite ticket if possible.
The Candidate Support committee has had the pleasure of meeting with two qualified public servants who aim to make a bigger impact in their community. Both candidates have transformed their lived experiences into a passion for effecting change in their communities. This year's Election Day is only a few days away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Han brings a wealth of experience in public service and a fresh and needed perspective to the school board. In an ever-changing environment, students need an advocate who is willing to ensure that they are represented in the curriculum they learn. She is a fighter who understands this need for diversity and is exactly what Northshore School District needs.
Kenny Nguyen, a Colorado native, is part of the next generation of Vietnamese-American leaders. He has devoted his life to public service and improving his community. Alongside his massive grassroots support, he brings a wealth of governmental experience that will allow him to serve his community effectively.
At PIVOT, we have worked tirelessly over the years to build a strong and inclusive community that fosters positive change and empowers our voices. We have made significant strides in promoting policy advocacy, supporting candidates who align with our values, combating disinformation, and providing a platform for our stories to be heard. Your one-time donation or your renewed membership will not only sustain our ongoing efforts but also leverage the additional funding to expand our programs and initiatives further.
Your commitment to PIVOT and our collective mission is vital, and we sincerely appreciate your continued support. Together, we can make a significant impact in promoting progressive values, influencing policies, and creating a better future for the Vietnamese American community.
Renewing your membership is quick and simple. Just click here!
Thank you for following along with PIVOT's latest events and updates. Have questions? Reply to this email and we are happy to chat with you.
In Solidarity,
The PIVOT Team
We are writing in support of Councilwoman Van Tran and her efforts to make multilingual ballots available in Morrow elections. The right to vote is the most fundamental right that any American has. To ensure that every American citizen can exercise that right– including making the information needed to vote available in their language of choice– is a patriotic duty.
Read MorePIVOT announces that Dr. Jennifer Tran is stepping down as our Executive Director to run for Congress. Dr. Tran was the first Executive Director for PIVOT, the leading national organization for progressive Vietnamese Americans.
Dr. Tung Nguyen, PIVOT’s Chair, states that “Dr. Tran joined PIVOT at a critical time for our growth and we benefited greatly from her energy and leadership.”
Read MoreMarch 1, 2023
Happy March, friends of PIVOT!
We’d like to kick off the month by celebrating Women’s History Month! Vietnamese women have been at the forefront of movements and continue to make history today in various industries across the country and the globe. From Woman-Warriors Hai Ba Trung (Two Trung Sisters) to countless mothers, aunties, and sisters– we honor your labor, leadership, and fight for community empowerment, resources, and a better life for future generations. PIVOT is committed to following the lead of our BIPOC and AAPI women and young leaders on social issues that impact their everyday lives.
"Mẹ Earth" Exhibit Opening Reception with Designer and Artist Tuan Tran
Date: March 3rd, 5-9 pm
Location: Chopsticks Alley Art, 38 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Little Saigon Short Stories
Date: Saturday, March 4th, 2-4 pm
Location: Garden Grove Main Library, 11200 Stanford Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92840
Book Tour of Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai,
March 14th- April 11th
PDX, OAK, Orange County, Las Vegas, HOU, NYC, DC, Toronto, and more!
Crosscut Origins presents: Refuge After War I Parallel Paths
Refuge After War will premiere on KCTS9 on March 3 at 8:50 p.m., and air every Friday through the month of March.
Refuge After War examines the experiences of Vietnamese and Afghan refugees forced to flee and resettle in Washington after the falls of Saigon in 1975 and Kabul in 2021. Through the eyes of director Thanh Tan, a daughter of refugees, this series is a personal examination of the power, the trauma and the challenges of refugee resettlement in the 21st century - and a reflection of America’s ongoing failure to learn from the past.
In beautiful community,
PIVOT Team
Stay Connected!
Become a PIVOT member today to learn more about upcoming events and projects!
PIVOT's Mission: To engage and empower Vietnamese Americans for a just and diverse America The vision of PIVOT is to be a collective voice for progressive Vietnamese Americans, to engage and empower Vietnamese Americans through civic engagement and leadership development, and to support policies and candidates that are aligned with our values.
October 18, 2022
We hope this weekend was kind to you. The PIVOT team is firing on all cylinders! We want to energize your week with some positive news. Some highlights include Viet Fact Check being featured in the New York Times! We established PIVOT Victory Fund, the first Vietnamese-American Super PAC in the country (more details coming soon)!
This week, Kathy Thach, our PIVOT CA fellow, gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to engage with our Vietnamese communities in Orange County. In this short video clip, she gives us backstage access into her outreach efforts and volunteer recruitment for the CA-45 Jay Chen campaign!
This week, Georgia is feeling the heat from Secretary of State Candidate Bee Nguyen, as she powers forward to raise funds and meets with Georgia voters. While her opponent, Brad Raffensperger, is inching ahead of his fellow Republican candidates, Axios Atlanta describes Nguyen as “undeterred.”
Visit the PIVOT Candidates page to learn more about other endorsed candidates!
We greatly appreciate our long-time PIVOT supporters. We encourage you to take the next step and become a member today!
With three weeks away, we are now holding weekly Election planning meetings to coordinate our multiple campaign efforts. Whether you are a first-timer or have been with us from the beginning, we welcome you to join us every Wednesday at 5:30 pm PST/ 7:30 pm CST// 8:30 pm EST!
There is no better way to build community than to work on a concrete activity together! Click here to sign up to volunteer for phone banking, text banking, or postcard writing!
Meet us in Dallas for “Pho The People” [OCT 26]
PIVOT is hosting a casual meetup at Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen in Dallas on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. And yes, there will actually be Pho! This will be our Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Tran’s first visit to Texas, so be sure to invite your friends and relatives to get to know her and other cool progressive Vietnamese Americans. RSVP through Facebook so that we can get a proper headcount!
Book your tickets for PIVOT Recharge in Seattle [NOV 11-13]!
Aside from being an important election year, 2022 marks PIVOT’s 5th birthday! We are inviting PIVOT members to come together to reflect, realign, and recharge after five years of hard work. This event will take place in Seattle, WA!
Register for PIVOT Recharge convening in Seattle, Nov. 11-13th 2022. It's going to be a blast to be together in person again! Also, given your active leadership, your attendance will greatly contribute to the discussion around PIVOT's future direction. Click the link below to register
August 2nd– PIVOT Young Vietnamese Americans (YVA) kicked off the Month of August with an engaging evening of connecting, reporting, sharing during 8/2 Tam Su! This Tâm Sự panel featured 2020 fellows, YVA Co-Chairs Hieu Le and Philip Nguyen, Elections Manager Victoria Nguyen, and PIVOT’s inaugural Executive Director Dr.Jennifer Kim-Anh Tran.The event was streamed live on both Facebook and Zoom. Participants signed in from across the country (one person came from as far as Australia!), eager to (re)connect after a long hiatus. Four 2020 PIVOT fellows– Vinh Dang (PA), Vu-Anh Nguyen (GA), Angie Tran- Uddullah (GA), and Lillian Trinh (TX) led the conversation on the current political landscape in their respective states. Additionally, they offered insight into contentious state races as well as key issues such as gun control, voter suppression, and healthcare. The remaining part of the program was reserved for state-specific breakout sessions for a deeper dive into the issues and local Vietnamese American community terrain. PIVOT Elections manager Victoria Nguyen built upon the inspiring work by offering concrete ways for individuals to save democracy and support this year’s elections. For more information on how to get involved, please check out PIVOT at www.pivotnetwork.org/elections.
