sup my name is Tom no I’m Asian American born and raised in Los Angeles
born and raised in Los Angeles
born and raised in Los Angeles California San Gabriel Valley Monterey
California San Gabriel Valley Monterey
California San Gabriel Valley Monterey Park six to six
Park six to six
Park six to six I love the Lakers I love rap music Tupac
I love the Lakers I love rap music Tupac
I love the Lakers I love rap music Tupac is my favorite and Stephen Chow taught
is my favorite and Stephen Chow taught
is my favorite and Stephen Chow taught me Cantonese my parents named me after
me Cantonese my parents named me after
me Cantonese my parents named me after Tom Bradley the first black mayor of Los
Tom Bradley the first black mayor of Los
Tom Bradley the first black mayor of Los Angeles during the LA Raiders Super Bowl
Angeles during the LA Raiders Super Bowl
Angeles during the LA Raiders Super Bowl parade in 1983 yeah that really happened
I’m currently the head of business
I’m currently the head of business development for a live streaming company
development for a live streaming company
development for a live streaming company but before that I spent over 10 years of
but before that I spent over 10 years of
but before that I spent over 10 years of my life in the music industry I’ve
my life in the music industry I’ve
my life in the music industry I’ve worked with Far East Movement the first
worked with Far East Movement the first
worked with Far East Movement the first Asian American group to be on the
Asian American group to be on the
Asian American group to be on the Billboard charts first number-one on the
Billboard charts first number-one on the
Billboard charts first number-one on the Billboard charts I’m sorry MC Jin the
Billboard charts I’m sorry MC Jin the
Billboard charts I’m sorry MC Jin the first Asian American rapper to be signed
first Asian American rapper to be signed
first Asian American rapper to be signed to a major label dumbfounded a battle
to a major label dumbfounded a battle
to a major label dumbfounded a battle rap legend keith ape an underground
rap legend keith ape an underground
rap legend keith ape an underground korean rap superstar and a ton of other
korean rap superstar and a ton of other
korean rap superstar and a ton of other acts too but besides managing artists
acts too but besides managing artists
acts too but besides managing artists I’ve also helped create is ATV which is
I’ve also helped create is ATV which is
I’ve also helped create is ATV which is an Asian America media platform
an Asian America media platform
an Asian America media platform cash-only an Asian artist management
cash-only an Asian artist management
cash-only an Asian artist management company and Jet Set LA an Asian American
company and Jet Set LA an Asian American
company and Jet Set LA an Asian American events company that has done over 2,500
events company that has done over 2,500
events company that has done over 2,500 Asian American events in the past 10
Asian American events in the past 10
Asian American events in the past 10 years so when they asked me to come here
years so when they asked me to come here
years so when they asked me to come here to speak today I knew exactly what I
to speak today I knew exactly what I
to speak today I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about I’m not here to
wanted to talk about I’m not here to
wanted to talk about I’m not here to talk about my career or what’s on my
talk about my career or what’s on my
talk about my career or what’s on my resume I’m here to tell you guys why I
resume I’m here to tell you guys why I
resume I’m here to tell you guys why I chose this path I’m here to share with
chose this path I’m here to share with
chose this path I’m here to share with you guys the story of my self-discovery
you guys the story of my self-discovery
you guys the story of my self-discovery and explain to you guys the importance
and explain to you guys the importance
and explain to you guys the importance of understanding your identity now if
of understanding your identity now if
of understanding your identity now if you guys can’t tell all the acts I’ve
you guys can’t tell all the acts I’ve
you guys can’t tell all the acts I’ve ever worked with our Asian or Asian
ever worked with our Asian or Asian
ever worked with our Asian or Asian American right
American right
American right and that wasn’t a coincidence I
and that wasn’t a coincidence I
and that wasn’t a coincidence I purposely set out to do that because my
purposely set out to do that because my
purposely set out to do that because my passion wasn’t just music it was bigger
passion wasn’t just music it was bigger
passion wasn’t just music it was bigger than that he was about telling the story
than that he was about telling the story
than that he was about telling the story of Asian Americans so working with these
of Asian Americans so working with these
of Asian Americans so working with these acts my role was always how could I bark
acts my role was always how could I bark
acts my role was always how could I bark at the Asian face how could we tell the
at the Asian face how could we tell the
at the Asian face how could we tell the story and make it relatable to
story and make it relatable to
story and make it relatable to mainstream America we would share
mainstream America we would share
mainstream America we would share stories and I learned a lot from this
stories and I learned a lot from this
stories and I learned a lot from this you know I learned that ha I learned how
you know I learned that ha I learned how
you know I learned that ha I learned how unique and how different we were and yes
unique and how different we were and yes
unique and how different we were and yes a common fact a common you know common
a common fact a common you know common
a common fact a common you know common thing that we were all Asian but there
thing that we were all Asian but there
thing that we were all Asian but there was so much more to us that added to our
was so much more to us that added to our
was so much more to us that added to our identity whether it was it was where we
identity whether it was it was where we
identity whether it was it was where we grew up what our families went through
grew up what our families went through
grew up what our families went through who were our friends and the only other
who were our friends and the only other
who were our friends and the only other common factor that we had was the same
common factor that we had was the same
common factor that we had was the same type of stereotypes that were given to
type of stereotypes that were given to
type of stereotypes that were given to us being an Asian and entertainment is
us being an Asian and entertainment is
us being an Asian and entertainment is frustrating I’ve seen all my friends go
frustrating I’ve seen all my friends go
frustrating I’ve seen all my friends go through it whether we’re talking about
through it whether we’re talking about
through it whether we’re talking about Emma Stone as Allison Inge in the movie
Emma Stone as Allison Inge in the movie
Emma Stone as Allison Inge in the movie Aloha or Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at
Aloha or Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at
Aloha or Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or the I can’t promote that
Tiffany’s or the I can’t promote that
Tiffany’s or the I can’t promote that because it’s too Asian or it’s not Asian
because it’s too Asian or it’s not Asian
because it’s too Asian or it’s not Asian enough can you try it with an accent
enough can you try it with an accent
enough can you try it with an accent that all sucks and it’s it happens with
that all sucks and it’s it happens with
that all sucks and it’s it happens with all minorities in entertainment but I
all minorities in entertainment but I
all minorities in entertainment but I don’t blame people for eating up what
don’t blame people for eating up what
don’t blame people for eating up what the media feeds them it’s not their
the media feeds them it’s not their
the media feeds them it’s not their fault it’s what’s shown to them this is
fault it’s what’s shown to them this is
fault it’s what’s shown to them this is their only exposure to a culture people
their only exposure to a culture people
their only exposure to a culture people are so quick to focus on the differences
are so quick to focus on the differences
are so quick to focus on the differences but they don’t accept the similarities
but they don’t accept the similarities
but they don’t accept the similarities we like to attach specific labels to
we like to attach specific labels to
we like to attach specific labels to things and we say things like well if
things and we say things like well if
things and we say things like well if you listen to rap your to black or if
you listen to rap your to black or if
you listen to rap your to black or if you like this movie you’re too white or
you like this movie you’re too white or
you like this movie you’re too white or if you can’t hold topics correctly like
if you can’t hold topics correctly like
if you can’t hold topics correctly like me you’re a bad Asian look I don’t I
me you’re a bad Asian look I don’t I
me you’re a bad Asian look I don’t I don’t hate Hollywood it’s not a it’s not
don’t hate Hollywood it’s not a it’s not
don’t hate Hollywood it’s not a it’s not their fault they can’t tell these
their fault they can’t tell these
their fault they can’t tell these stories they don’t know these stories to
stories they don’t know these stories to
stories they don’t know these stories to them we’re still one-dimensional people
them we’re still one-dimensional people
them we’re still one-dimensional people they all know what they saw in that film
they all know what they saw in that film
they all know what they saw in that film that one time and that director just
that one time and that director just
that one time and that director just copied that other director and that
copied that other director and that
copied that other director and that other director probably just knew one
other director probably just knew one
other director probably just knew one Asian person in his whole life
Asian person in his whole life
Asian person in his whole life and that’s why it’s so important for
and that’s why it’s so important for
and that’s why it’s so important for asian-americans to tell their story but
asian-americans to tell their story but
asian-americans to tell their story but before you could tell your story you
before you could tell your story you
before you could tell your story you need to understand it too you need to
need to understand it too you need to
need to understand it too you need to actually do research and you need to be
actually do research and you need to be
actually do research and you need to be self-aware of who you are and at this
self-aware of who you are and at this
self-aware of who you are and at this point I’m just talking to everybody in
point I’m just talking to everybody in
point I’m just talking to everybody in the room okay whether your roots are
the room okay whether your roots are
the room okay whether your roots are from Asia Europe Africa the Middle East
from Asia Europe Africa the Middle East
from Asia Europe Africa the Middle East or or even native American doesn’t
or or even native American doesn’t
or or even native American doesn’t matter take some time out and learn
matter take some time out and learn
matter take some time out and learn about yourself figure out who you are
about yourself figure out who you are
about yourself figure out who you are learn the history of yourself and how
learn the history of yourself and how
learn the history of yourself and how you got here today embrace every label
you got here today embrace every label
you got here today embrace every label that makes up your identity I embrace
that makes up your identity I embrace
that makes up your identity I embrace being an Asian American that – right
being an Asian American that – right
being an Asian American that – right they’re really important okay because
they’re really important okay because
they’re really important okay because Asians and Asian Americans two different
Asians and Asian Americans two different
Asians and Asian Americans two different things I’ll break it down for you guys
things I’ll break it down for you guys
things I’ll break it down for you guys right now
right now
right now Asians are born in Asia Asian Americans
Asians are born in Asia Asian Americans
Asians are born in Asia Asian Americans are born in America there we go
are born in America there we go
are born in America there we go Asian Americans most of us have never
Asian Americans most of us have never
Asian Americans most of us have never been even to Asia I didn’t go to age’
been even to Asia I didn’t go to age’
been even to Asia I didn’t go to age’ tell us 21 and this is very important
tell us 21 and this is very important
tell us 21 and this is very important for any non Asians in here to understand
for any non Asians in here to understand
for any non Asians in here to understand that I’m not visiting America this is my
that I’m not visiting America this is my
that I’m not visiting America this is my home this is all I know so when someone
home this is all I know so when someone
home this is all I know so when someone comes and tells me go back to where you
comes and tells me go back to where you
comes and tells me go back to where you came from that hurts and confuses me
came from that hurts and confuses me
came from that hurts and confuses me because America you may see me as an
because America you may see me as an
because America you may see me as an Asian but when I go to Asia they see me
Asian but when I go to Asia they see me
Asian but when I go to Asia they see me as an American and that was a big
as an American and that was a big
as an American and that was a big revelation for me because I poured out
revelation for me because I poured out
revelation for me because I poured out all my heart into my career so that
all my heart into my career so that
all my heart into my career so that could have the opportunity to go to Asia
could have the opportunity to go to Asia
could have the opportunity to go to Asia to find my roots and when I got there I
to find my roots and when I got there I
to find my roots and when I got there I was like oh man I’m not like this at all
so I shifted my focus right I shifted my
so I shifted my focus right I shifted my focus
focus
focus I started supporting Asian American
I started supporting Asian American
I started supporting Asian American films started supporting Asian American
films started supporting Asian American
films started supporting Asian American artists I traveled to every Chinatown
artists I traveled to every Chinatown
artists I traveled to every Chinatown Asian suburb in America I wanted to find
Asian suburb in America I wanted to find
Asian suburb in America I wanted to find something familiar and I couldn’t
something familiar and I couldn’t
something familiar and I couldn’t I would I would have points like like
I would I would have points like like
I would I would have points like like Eddie Wong when he came out with fresh
Eddie Wong when he came out with fresh
Eddie Wong when he came out with fresh off the boat
off the boat
off the boat right all my friends came out they were
right all my friends came out they were
right all my friends came out they were like yo that’s you he’s Chinese
like yo that’s you he’s Chinese
like yo that’s you he’s Chinese he likes rap he travels that’s you and I
he likes rap he travels that’s you and I
he likes rap he travels that’s you and I was excited I went out I read the book
was excited I went out I read the book
was excited I went out I read the book and I was like yo this is so cool but
and I was like yo this is so cool but
and I was like yo this is so cool but it’s not me though see he’s from the
it’s not me though see he’s from the
it’s not me though see he’s from the east side I’m from the west side
east side I’m from the west side
east side I’m from the west side he’s biggie I’m Tupac my family story
he’s biggie I’m Tupac my family story
he’s biggie I’m Tupac my family story and his family story are totally
and his family story are totally
and his family story are totally different how could we be the same I
different how could we be the same I
different how could we be the same I spent most of my life trying to find
spent most of my life trying to find
spent most of my life trying to find someone that could 100% relate to and I
someone that could 100% relate to and I
someone that could 100% relate to and I couldn’t I find bits and pieces here and
couldn’t I find bits and pieces here and
couldn’t I find bits and pieces here and there and that’s that’s all I had so
there and that’s that’s all I had so
there and that’s that’s all I had so that’s when I realize you know there’s
that’s when I realize you know there’s
that’s when I realize you know there’s only one of you you know and that’s same
only one of you you know and that’s same
only one of you you know and that’s same with everybody here we’re all unique we
with everybody here we’re all unique we
with everybody here we’re all unique we all take bits and pieces from everywhere
all take bits and pieces from everywhere
all take bits and pieces from everywhere so I decided that I had to go back to
so I decided that I had to go back to
so I decided that I had to go back to where I started back to where I grew up
where I started back to where I grew up
where I started back to where I grew up back to my neighborhood the San Gabriel
back to my neighborhood the San Gabriel
back to my neighborhood the San Gabriel Valley the sgv ma hood I love it okay so
Valley the sgv ma hood I love it okay so
Valley the sgv ma hood I love it okay so I’m gonna give you guys a quick history
I’m gonna give you guys a quick history
I’m gonna give you guys a quick history lesson after the Kennedy assassination
lesson after the Kennedy assassination
lesson after the Kennedy assassination president lyndon b johnson passed the
president lyndon b johnson passed the
president lyndon b johnson passed the bill called the Immigration and
bill called the Immigration and
bill called the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 this was a surge
Nationality Act of 1965 this was a surge
Nationality Act of 1965 this was a surge of Asian immigrants he was changing the
of Asian immigrants he was changing the
of Asian immigrants he was changing the face of America and San Gabriel Valley
face of America and San Gabriel Valley
face of America and San Gabriel Valley was a receiving port of this new wave
was a receiving port of this new wave
was a receiving port of this new wave over half a million Asian Americans
over half a million Asian Americans
over half a million Asian Americans reside in this community this makes up
reside in this community this makes up
reside in this community this makes up one of the
one of the
one of the largest Asian American and Latino
largest Asian American and Latino
largest Asian American and Latino communities in the United States so when
communities in the United States so when
communities in the United States so when I went to back to my neighborhood I
I went to back to my neighborhood I
I went to back to my neighborhood I started hanging out my friends you know
started hanging out my friends you know
started hanging out my friends you know my Mexican friends my Chinese friends my
my Mexican friends my Chinese friends my
my Mexican friends my Chinese friends my vin amis friends my Cambodian friends
vin amis friends my Cambodian friends
vin amis friends my Cambodian friends and you know I shared my story of my
and you know I shared my story of my
and you know I shared my story of my travels and and I asked them questions
travels and and I asked them questions
travels and and I asked them questions that they’ve never been asked before
that they’ve never been asked before
that they’ve never been asked before like how did your family get here and
like how did your family get here and
like how did your family get here and and and and what are you about like how
and and and what are you about like how
and and and what are you about like how many brothers you have things that we
many brothers you have things that we
many brothers you have things that we don’t ask our friends and I realized
don’t ask our friends and I realized
don’t ask our friends and I realized that one thing that we had all in common
that one thing that we had all in common
that one thing that we had all in common was that we had an immigration story and
was that we had an immigration story and
was that we had an immigration story and everybody does everybody has an
everybody does everybody has an
everybody does everybody has an immigration story everybody has a story
immigration story everybody has a story
immigration story everybody has a story of how we got here today whether it
of how we got here today whether it
of how we got here today whether it happened this entry or last century and
happened this entry or last century and
happened this entry or last century and this was the thing that I could out that
this was the thing that I could out that
this was the thing that I could out that we could find familiar again there’s so
we could find familiar again there’s so
we could find familiar again there’s so many stories that we don’t understand
many stories that we don’t understand
many stories that we don’t understand that we don’t research and I do this
that we don’t research and I do this
that we don’t research and I do this because I love history there’s things
because I love history there’s things
because I love history there’s things like the Khmer Rouge that the Cambodians
like the Khmer Rouge that the Cambodians
like the Khmer Rouge that the Cambodians went through I’m sure a lot of people
went through I’m sure a lot of people
went through I’m sure a lot of people don’t know about that story or the Irish
don’t know about that story or the Irish
don’t know about that story or the Irish potato famine that happened in 1845 that
potato famine that happened in 1845 that
potato famine that happened in 1845 that brought over 1.5 million Irish women men
brought over 1.5 million Irish women men
brought over 1.5 million Irish women men and children and killed over 2 million
and children and killed over 2 million
and children and killed over 2 million in Ireland or that in 1890 to Ellis
in Ireland or that in 1890 to Ellis
in Ireland or that in 1890 to Ellis Island opened up and it was the hub for
Island opened up and it was the hub for
Island opened up and it was the hub for all newly arrived immigrants and that
all newly arrived immigrants and that
all newly arrived immigrants and that it’s estimated that 40% of all US
it’s estimated that 40% of all US
it’s estimated that 40% of all US citizens can trace at least one ancestor
citizens can trace at least one ancestor
citizens can trace at least one ancestor back to Ellis Island and that was
back to Ellis Island and that was
back to Ellis Island and that was awesome and that’s that’s so great
awesome and that’s that’s so great
awesome and that’s that’s so great but Asian Americans we are new to this
but Asian Americans we are new to this
but Asian Americans we are new to this country and yet a lot of us we don’t
country and yet a lot of us we don’t
country and yet a lot of us we don’t know our story we try so hard to blend
know our story we try so hard to blend
know our story we try so hard to blend in and I get that we try so hard to
in and I get that we try so hard to
in and I get that we try so hard to blend in but we don’t research we don’t
blend in but we don’t research we don’t
blend in but we don’t research we don’t figure it out we all group ourselves
figure it out we all group ourselves
figure it out we all group ourselves together by saying well we came over
together by saying well we came over
together by saying well we came over here for a better opportunity well of
here for a better opportunity well of
here for a better opportunity well of course you did but why that’s so broad
course you did but why that’s so broad
course you did but why that’s so broad how can you how can you shorten your
how can you how can you shorten your
how can you how can you shorten your family history like that that is one of
family history like that that is one of
family history like that that is one of your many labels
your many labels
your many labels there was a stipulation with the
there was a stipulation with the
there was a stipulation with the Immigration Act that all posts 1965
Immigration Act that all posts 1965
Immigration Act that all posts 1965 immigrants had to be either
immigrants had to be either
immigrants had to be either well-educated upper middle class and
well-educated upper middle class and
well-educated upper middle class and they all migrated over here in family
they all migrated over here in family
they all migrated over here in family units except for one group the post 1975
units except for one group the post 1975
units except for one group the post 1975 indo-chinese refugees now I’m gonna talk
indo-chinese refugees now I’m gonna talk
indo-chinese refugees now I’m gonna talk to you guys about immigrants and
to you guys about immigrants and
to you guys about immigrants and refugees okay not the same thing many
refugees okay not the same thing many
refugees okay not the same thing many people might think that but it’s not
people might think that but it’s not
people might think that but it’s not okay
okay
okay immigrants choose to relocate to another
immigrants choose to relocate to another
immigrants choose to relocate to another country for a better opportunities and
country for a better opportunities and
country for a better opportunities and to be closer to family this is a choice
to be closer to family this is a choice
to be closer to family this is a choice refugees are forced to relocate due to
refugees are forced to relocate due to
refugees are forced to relocate due to fear of persecution because of war
fear of persecution because of war
fear of persecution because of war politics or religion this is not a
politics or religion this is not a
politics or religion this is not a choice Asian immigrants they come over
choice Asian immigrants they come over
choice Asian immigrants they come over they have a little bit of money middle
they have a little bit of money middle
they have a little bit of money middle upper middle class they have Tiger moms
upper middle class they have Tiger moms
upper middle class they have Tiger moms they can afford tutors they’re the model
they can afford tutors they’re the model
they can afford tutors they’re the model minority that we all see on TV the Asian
minority that we all see on TV the Asian
minority that we all see on TV the Asian refugees we lost everything during the
refugees we lost everything during the
refugees we lost everything during the war we escaped communism we have family
war we escaped communism we have family
war we escaped communism we have family members that have mental illnesses
members that have mental illnesses
members that have mental illnesses because we lost family members and to
because we lost family members and to
because we lost family members and to this day we’re still living in poverty
this day we’re still living in poverty
this day we’re still living in poverty so this is where I start my family
so this is where I start my family
so this is where I start my family history for 20 years I didn’t know if I
history for 20 years I didn’t know if I
history for 20 years I didn’t know if I was Vietnamese or Chinese I was confused
was Vietnamese or Chinese I was confused
was Vietnamese or Chinese I was confused my last name is go which is a Vietnamese
my last name is go which is a Vietnamese
my last name is go which is a Vietnamese last name but my parents kept telling me
last name but my parents kept telling me
last name but my parents kept telling me I was Chinese didn’t understand it all
I was Chinese didn’t understand it all
I was Chinese didn’t understand it all my friends they would try to help me out
my friends they would try to help me out
my friends they would try to help me out they would be like Oh what do you what
they would be like Oh what do you what
they would be like Oh what do you what language do you speak at home and that
language do you speak at home and that
language do you speak at home and that was difficult too because I can
was difficult too because I can
was difficult too because I can understand Cantonese Mandarin and
understand Cantonese Mandarin and
understand Cantonese Mandarin and Vietnamese and I can speak a very rare
Vietnamese and I can speak a very rare
Vietnamese and I can speak a very rare not used anymore dialect of Chinese from
not used anymore dialect of Chinese from
not used anymore dialect of Chinese from the island of Hainan useless pretty much
the island of Hainan useless pretty much
the island of Hainan useless pretty much I can say things like sick Tang I’m sick
I can say things like sick Tang I’m sick
I can say things like sick Tang I’m sick Kong which is capped knees for I can
Kong which is capped knees for I can
Kong which is capped knees for I can understand but I can’t speak curly ting
understand but I can’t speak curly ting
understand but I can’t speak curly ting buchelli Jam which is Mandarin for I can
buchelli Jam which is Mandarin for I can
buchelli Jam which is Mandarin for I can understand but I can’t speak being at
understand but I can’t speak being at
understand but I can’t speak being at home big noise which is Vietnamese for I
home big noise which is Vietnamese for I
home big noise which is Vietnamese for I can understand but I can’t speak and
can understand but I can’t speak and
can understand but I can’t speak and with high nonny’s I’ve only met 8 people
with high nonny’s I’ve only met 8 people
with high nonny’s I’ve only met 8 people in my whole life that can you actually
in my whole life that can you actually
in my whole life that can you actually speak this language and five of them are
speak this language and five of them are
speak this language and five of them are over the age of 65 San Gabriel Valley
over the age of 65 San Gabriel Valley
over the age of 65 San Gabriel Valley was like a big bubble for me from
was like a big bubble for me from
was like a big bubble for me from kindergarten to sixth grade I grew up
kindergarten to sixth grade I grew up
kindergarten to sixth grade I grew up with Mexicans Cambodians Vietnamese
with Mexicans Cambodians Vietnamese
with Mexicans Cambodians Vietnamese Vietnamese Chinese Vietnamese immigrants
Vietnamese Chinese Vietnamese immigrants
Vietnamese Chinese Vietnamese immigrants refugees we all had parents that didn’t
refugees we all had parents that didn’t
refugees we all had parents that didn’t really speak English and essentially
really speak English and essentially
really speak English and essentially English was the second language for us
English was the second language for us
English was the second language for us so we had a hard time adjusting and
so we had a hard time adjusting and
so we had a hard time adjusting and getting into school culture and stuff I
getting into school culture and stuff I
getting into school culture and stuff I remember my first day of kindergarten I
remember my first day of kindergarten I
remember my first day of kindergarten I know it was the first month of
know it was the first month of
know it was the first month of kindergarten and I ran up to my teacher
kindergarten and I ran up to my teacher
kindergarten and I ran up to my teacher and I was like miss Mitchell miss
and I was like miss Mitchell miss
and I was like miss Mitchell miss Mitchell I need to all see and she had
Mitchell I need to all see and she had
Mitchell I need to all see and she had no idea what I was saying and I didn’t
no idea what I was saying and I didn’t
no idea what I was saying and I didn’t know I wasn’t speaking English to at the
know I wasn’t speaking English to at the
know I wasn’t speaking English to at the time and I kept going mrs. Mitchell mrs.
time and I kept going mrs. Mitchell mrs.
time and I kept going mrs. Mitchell mrs. Mitchell I need to all see and she was
Mitchell I need to all see and she was
Mitchell I need to all see and she was like Tom go sit down and I couldn’t I
like Tom go sit down and I couldn’t I
like Tom go sit down and I couldn’t I couldn’t do it anymore so I just ran
couldn’t do it anymore so I just ran
couldn’t do it anymore so I just ran straight to the restroom and that day
straight to the restroom and that day
straight to the restroom and that day miss Mitchell learned that all C is
miss Mitchell learned that all C is
miss Mitchell learned that all C is Cantonese for number two
but yeah I got better I got better okay
but yeah I got better I got better okay I did well in school like I was a smart
I did well in school like I was a smart
I did well in school like I was a smart kid I excelled in school you know a lot
kid I excelled in school you know a lot
kid I excelled in school you know a lot of it was for my dad when I went to
of it was for my dad when I went to
of it was for my dad when I went to junior high
junior high
junior high it was a seventh and eighth grade
it was a seventh and eighth grade
it was a seventh and eighth grade it was seventh and eighth grade middle
it was seventh and eighth grade middle
it was seventh and eighth grade middle school barbecue intermediate this is
school barbecue intermediate this is
school barbecue intermediate this is where all the refugee kids came from
where all the refugee kids came from
where all the refugee kids came from they went here all the same same people
they went here all the same same people
they went here all the same same people Chinese Vietnamese Cambodian Laos
Chinese Vietnamese Cambodian Laos
Chinese Vietnamese Cambodian Laos Mexican kids and this was where
Mexican kids and this was where
Mexican kids and this was where everything kind of changed you guys I
everything kind of changed you guys I
everything kind of changed you guys I couldn’t four friends that I’ve had for
couldn’t four friends that I’ve had for
couldn’t four friends that I’ve had for so long I couldn’t hang out with them
so long I couldn’t hang out with them
so long I couldn’t hang out with them anymore because of our ethnicity Asians
anymore because of our ethnicity Asians
anymore because of our ethnicity Asians and Mexicans we couldn’t hang out
and Mexicans we couldn’t hang out
and Mexicans we couldn’t hang out anymore my friends were getting jumped
anymore my friends were getting jumped
anymore my friends were getting jumped into gangs because these older gang
into gangs because these older gang
into gangs because these older gang members needed young kids to join their
members needed young kids to join their
members needed young kids to join their gangs and we didn’t understand what we
gangs and we didn’t understand what we
gangs and we didn’t understand what we were doing we just did it because that’s
were doing we just did it because that’s
were doing we just did it because that’s what we’re told of us right this was
what we’re told of us right this was
what we’re told of us right this was 1998 1999 two pockets just passed away
1998 1999 two pockets just passed away
1998 1999 two pockets just passed away bone thugs-n-harmony gangsta rap
bone thugs-n-harmony gangsta rap
bone thugs-n-harmony gangsta rap influenced our whole neighborhood and it
influenced our whole neighborhood and it
influenced our whole neighborhood and it did because that’s that was us it was
did because that’s that was us it was
did because that’s that was us it was minorities trying to get out of the hood
minorities trying to get out of the hood
minorities trying to get out of the hood and San Gabriel Valley was the epicenter
and San Gabriel Valley was the epicenter
and San Gabriel Valley was the epicenter for Asian gangs this is the only
for Asian gangs this is the only
for Asian gangs this is the only community that has ever had an Asian
community that has ever had an Asian
community that has ever had an Asian gang unit in the US
this was my Asian America this was the
this was my Asian America this was the Asian America that I grew up with that
Asian America that I grew up with that
Asian America that I grew up with that wasn’t shown on TV and I don’t know why
wasn’t shown on TV and I don’t know why
wasn’t shown on TV and I don’t know why so all the cool Asian kids in middle
so all the cool Asian kids in middle
so all the cool Asian kids in middle school were all affiliated with gangs
school were all affiliated with gangs
school were all affiliated with gangs and all my friends they ended up joining
and all my friends they ended up joining
and all my friends they ended up joining them and I remember the first week of
them and I remember the first week of
them and I remember the first week of seventh grade one of my best friends who
seventh grade one of my best friends who
seventh grade one of my best friends who ended up locked up for most of his teen
ended up locked up for most of his teen
ended up locked up for most of his teen life really smart guy too came up to me
life really smart guy too came up to me
life really smart guy too came up to me after school and was like hey Tom we’re
after school and was like hey Tom we’re
after school and was like hey Tom we’re gonna go play basketball with the other
gonna go play basketball with the other
gonna go play basketball with the other guys and I just looked at him and was
guys and I just looked at him and was
guys and I just looked at him and was like you know I don’t think my mom’s
like you know I don’t think my mom’s
like you know I don’t think my mom’s gonna be cool if I join a gang man and
gonna be cool if I join a gang man and
gonna be cool if I join a gang man and that was the last time I ever spoke to
that was the last time I ever spoke to
that was the last time I ever spoke to him again High School was a little
him again High School was a little
him again High School was a little different I didn’t like high school
different I didn’t like high school
different I didn’t like high school my parents forced me to go to another
my parents forced me to go to another
my parents forced me to go to another high school away from my junior high
high school away from my junior high
high school away from my junior high friends where I met a new set of
friends where I met a new set of
friends where I met a new set of asian-americans Japanese Americans
asian-americans Japanese Americans
asian-americans Japanese Americans Chinese Americans middle-class families
Chinese Americans middle-class families
Chinese Americans middle-class families they weren’t really super rich but I
they weren’t really super rich but I
they weren’t really super rich but I grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with
grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with
grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with five people this was really different
five people this was really different
five people this was really different for me I had no identity I I went from
for me I had no identity I I went from
for me I had no identity I I went from having friends in gangs to friends with
having friends in gangs to friends with
having friends in gangs to friends with Tiger moms I would my mom was still
Tiger moms I would my mom was still
Tiger moms I would my mom was still telling me I was Chinese even though I
telling me I was Chinese even though I
telling me I was Chinese even though I had a Vietnamese last name I didn’t
had a Vietnamese last name I didn’t
had a Vietnamese last name I didn’t understand why I was Chinese and I was
understand why I was Chinese and I was
understand why I was Chinese and I was poor and my Chinese friends had money
poor and my Chinese friends had money
poor and my Chinese friends had money and they could afford SAT classes and I
and they could afford SAT classes and I
and they could afford SAT classes and I was still wearing the same pair of
was still wearing the same pair of
was still wearing the same pair of Payless running shoes for five years I
Payless running shoes for five years I
Payless running shoes for five years I was frustrated I didn’t get it I didn’t
was frustrated I didn’t get it I didn’t
was frustrated I didn’t get it I didn’t have any friends that like related with
have any friends that like related with
have any friends that like related with me all my friends were at the other
me all my friends were at the other
me all my friends were at the other school what could I do
school what could I do
school what could I do I honestly just gave up I I didn’t care
I honestly just gave up I I didn’t care
I honestly just gave up I I didn’t care anymore at 18 I got arrested it was a
anymore at 18 I got arrested it was a
anymore at 18 I got arrested it was a pretty big part of my life I’ve never
pretty big part of my life I’ve never
pretty big part of my life I’ve never really talked about it
really talked about it
really talked about it my mom would probably be pretty mad if
my mom would probably be pretty mad if
my mom would probably be pretty mad if she knew I was talking about this crowd
she knew I was talking about this crowd
she knew I was talking about this crowd of people but uh it was a big change in
of people but uh it was a big change in
of people but uh it was a big change in my life it was when I got a really self
my life it was when I got a really self
my life it was when I got a really self reflect on on everything all my problems
reflect on on everything all my problems
reflect on on everything all my problems at home my problems at school my
at home my problems at school my
at home my problems at school my personal life and I knew I had to make a
personal life and I knew I had to make a
personal life and I knew I had to make a change I didn’t know how so when I got
change I didn’t know how so when I got
change I didn’t know how so when I got out of prison things things started
out of prison things things started
out of prison things things started turning up though so it’s okay guys
turning up though so it’s okay guys
turning up though so it’s okay guys start throwing parties I got into music
start throwing parties I got into music
start throwing parties I got into music and I met Far East Movement who are like
and I met Far East Movement who are like
and I met Far East Movement who are like my older brothers who helped me out and
my older brothers who helped me out and
my older brothers who helped me out and I started on this journey of
I started on this journey of
I started on this journey of self-discovery now fast forward to
self-discovery now fast forward to
self-discovery now fast forward to however now right fast forward I’m
however now right fast forward I’m
however now right fast forward I’m figuring out that a main component of my
figuring out that a main component of my
figuring out that a main component of my identity is actually with my family
with my family I started going home I
with my family I started going home I started to hang out my parents more I
started to hang out my parents more I
started to hang out my parents more I started hanging my brothers more I
started hanging my brothers more I
started hanging my brothers more I wasn’t as embarrassed anymore to stay
wasn’t as embarrassed anymore to stay
wasn’t as embarrassed anymore to stay home and talk to them
so my last name is no my but my real
so my last name is no my but my real last name is Wu the story starts with my
last name is Wu the story starts with my
last name is Wu the story starts with my grandparents from both sides both my
grandparents from both sides both my
grandparents from both sides both my both my grandparents are from Hainan
both my grandparents are from Hainan
both my grandparents are from Hainan China which is kind of like the Hawaii
China which is kind of like the Hawaii
China which is kind of like the Hawaii of China and it was in the South China
of China and it was in the South China
of China and it was in the South China and at that time poverty was crazy there
and at that time poverty was crazy there
and at that time poverty was crazy there was no food no work there was people
was no food no work there was people
was no food no work there was people were dying and in at that time
were dying and in at that time
were dying and in at that time Chinese people started immigrating over
Chinese people started immigrating over
Chinese people started immigrating over to the French Indochina which right now
to the French Indochina which right now
to the French Indochina which right now it’s called Laos Cambodia and Vietnam
it’s called Laos Cambodia and Vietnam
it’s called Laos Cambodia and Vietnam so they emigrated over my last my
so they emigrated over my last my
so they emigrated over my last my Grandpop over there
Grandpop over there
Grandpop over there my grandpa over there he immigrated over
my grandpa over there he immigrated over
my grandpa over there he immigrated over to Vietnam started a business and he did
to Vietnam started a business and he did
to Vietnam started a business and he did really really well that’s my grandma and
really really well that’s my grandma and
really really well that’s my grandma and that’s my grandma and me over here my
that’s my grandma and me over here my
that’s my grandma and me over here my grandma is a gangster okay at 12 years
grandma is a gangster okay at 12 years
grandma is a gangster okay at 12 years old she went to Vietnam by herself to
old she went to Vietnam by herself to
old she went to Vietnam by herself to support to to to to raise money and she
support to to to to raise money and she
support to to to to raise money and she didn’t see her mom again
didn’t see her mom again
didn’t see her mom again so she was 55 I can’t even imagine that
so she was 55 I can’t even imagine that
so she was 55 I can’t even imagine that so all these Chinese people they were
so all these Chinese people they were
so all these Chinese people they were immigrating over to Vietnam and at that
immigrating over to Vietnam and at that
immigrating over to Vietnam and at that time you know like I don’t know if you
time you know like I don’t know if you
time you know like I don’t know if you guys know for me I was just as I think I
guys know for me I was just as I think I
guys know for me I was just as I think I was ignorant
was ignorant
was ignorant I thought Chinese people in Vietnamese
I thought Chinese people in Vietnamese
I thought Chinese people in Vietnamese people got along but they did it the
people got along but they did it the
people got along but they did it the venom ease people thought that the
venom ease people thought that the
venom ease people thought that the Chinese people were taking their money
Chinese people were taking their money
Chinese people were taking their money they were coming in like taking their
they were coming in like taking their
they were coming in like taking their jobs and and then they were frustrated
jobs and and then they were frustrated
jobs and and then they were frustrated so in 1956 the Vietnamese government
so in 1956 the Vietnamese government
so in 1956 the Vietnamese government created a bill which meant that all
created a bill which meant that all
created a bill which meant that all Vietnamese citizens had to have a
Vietnamese citizens had to have a
Vietnamese citizens had to have a Vietnamese last name regardless of their
Vietnamese last name regardless of their
Vietnamese last name regardless of their ethnic origin and if you wanted to have
ethnic origin and if you wanted to have
ethnic origin and if you wanted to have a running business you had to be a
a running business you had to be a
a running business you had to be a Vietnamese citizen unless you liquidated
Vietnamese citizen unless you liquidated
Vietnamese citizen unless you liquidated your business and gave it to another
your business and gave it to another
your business and gave it to another Vietnamese citizen so my grandpa decided
Vietnamese citizen so my grandpa decided
Vietnamese citizen so my grandpa decided I’m gonna change my last name from Wu –
I’m gonna change my last name from Wu –
I’m gonna change my last name from Wu – no this is my dad I made a fake Drake
no this is my dad I made a fake Drake
no this is my dad I made a fake Drake album cover that’s where it’s coming
album cover that’s where it’s coming
album cover that’s where it’s coming it’s my dad
it’s my dad
it’s my dad my dad is one of my favorite people in
my dad is one of my favorite people in
my dad is one of my favorite people in the world we butted heads a lot but I
the world we butted heads a lot but I
the world we butted heads a lot but I really honestly believe that he was if
really honestly believe that he was if
really honestly believe that he was if he had the opportunity to be in America
he had the opportunity to be in America
he had the opportunity to be in America he would have probably been an engineer
he would have probably been an engineer
he would have probably been an engineer or something he can read write speak
or something he can read write speak
or something he can read write speak fluently Mandarin Cantonese Vietnamese
fluently Mandarin Cantonese Vietnamese
fluently Mandarin Cantonese Vietnamese he’s a great writer in all those
he’s a great writer in all those
he’s a great writer in all those languages he can speak English you can
languages he can speak English you can
languages he can speak English you can kind of speak Spanish and he’s he loves
kind of speak Spanish and he’s he loves
kind of speak Spanish and he’s he loves history anytime I ask anything about
history anytime I ask anything about
history anytime I ask anything about history or politics he can give me an
history or politics he can give me an
history or politics he can give me an earful and that’s one of the few times
earful and that’s one of the few times
earful and that’s one of the few times we talk you know there’s my mom I’m a
we talk you know there’s my mom I’m a
we talk you know there’s my mom I’m a big mama’s boy I love my mom she’s I
big mama’s boy I love my mom she’s I
big mama’s boy I love my mom she’s I think she was kind of a hippie or
think she was kind of a hippie or
think she was kind of a hippie or something she was very like didn’t tell
something she was very like didn’t tell
something she was very like didn’t tell me much but I know she was a singer and
me much but I know she was a singer and
me much but I know she was a singer and dancer and my grandma said she was full
dancer and my grandma said she was full
dancer and my grandma said she was full of spirit and I think because she didn’t
of spirit and I think because she didn’t
of spirit and I think because she didn’t tell me much I think she partied a lot
tell me much I think she partied a lot
tell me much I think she partied a lot for some reason I think that’s where I
for some reason I think that’s where I
for some reason I think that’s where I came I got it from I don’t know
came I got it from I don’t know
came I got it from I don’t know but I loved her so in 1975 the fall of
but I loved her so in 1975 the fall of
but I loved her so in 1975 the fall of Saigon communism communism has taken
Saigon communism communism has taken
Saigon communism communism has taken over in Vietnam and it got even worse
over in Vietnam and it got even worse
over in Vietnam and it got even worse for Chinese people they were being
for Chinese people they were being
for Chinese people they were being killed businesses were taken and just
killed businesses were taken and just
killed businesses were taken and just mind you 90% of all Commerce trade
mind you 90% of all Commerce trade
mind you 90% of all Commerce trade during that time was owned by ethnic
during that time was owned by ethnic
during that time was owned by ethnic Chinese people so we lost everything
Chinese people so we lost everything
Chinese people so we lost everything gold money everything by 1978 the
gold money everything by 1978 the
gold money everything by 1978 the Chinese people decided we needed it we
Chinese people decided we needed it we
Chinese people decided we needed it we needed to evacuate the Vietnamese
needed to evacuate the Vietnamese
needed to evacuate the Vietnamese government at the time they were a
government at the time they were a
government at the time they were a little hesitant but when they realized
little hesitant but when they realized
little hesitant but when they realized that they could charge $3,000 per person
that they could charge $3,000 per person
that they could charge $3,000 per person they started exporting refugees out of
they started exporting refugees out of
they started exporting refugees out of Vietnam by June 1975 by June 1979
refugee money was the biggest foreign
refugee money was the biggest foreign exchange of Vietnam and it surpassed the
exchange of Vietnam and it surpassed the
exchange of Vietnam and it surpassed the coal industry for up to three billion
coal industry for up to three billion
coal industry for up to three billion dollars in u.s.
they had to pay $3,000 to get on a boat
they had to pay $3,000 to get on a boat to go to a refugee camp and there was a
to go to a refugee camp and there was a
to go to a refugee camp and there was a 50 to 70% chance that they would get
50 to 70% chance that they would get
50 to 70% chance that they would get lost and see and when I learned about
lost and see and when I learned about
lost and see and when I learned about that I was like you’re telling me that
that I was like you’re telling me that
that I was like you’re telling me that it’s a coin flip that I coulda lost my
it’s a coin flip that I coulda lost my
it’s a coin flip that I coulda lost my parents don’t worry it gets good right
parents don’t worry it gets good right
parents don’t worry it gets good right here my mom and dad met on a boat going
here my mom and dad met on a boat going
here my mom and dad met on a boat going to Hong Kong on a reference to a refugee
to Hong Kong on a reference to a refugee
to Hong Kong on a reference to a refugee camp my mom gets seasick a lot and my
camp my mom gets seasick a lot and my
camp my mom gets seasick a lot and my dad actually went up and he’s you know
dad actually went up and he’s you know
dad actually went up and he’s you know start a spitting game and he was helping
start a spitting game and he was helping
start a spitting game and he was helping her out and when they landed in Hong
her out and when they landed in Hong
her out and when they landed in Hong Kong they left and he dated for six
Kong they left and he dated for six
Kong they left and he dated for six months in Hong Kong and my mom after six
months in Hong Kong and my mom after six
months in Hong Kong and my mom after six months my mom relocated over to LA and
months my mom relocated over to LA and
months my mom relocated over to LA and my dad to Chicago and it didn’t take
my dad to Chicago and it didn’t take
my dad to Chicago and it didn’t take that long for my dad to go to LA and
that long for my dad to go to LA and
that long for my dad to go to LA and look for my mom I don’t know how he did
look for my mom I don’t know how he did
look for my mom I don’t know how he did it while Facebook but I’m really glad he
it while Facebook but I’m really glad he
it while Facebook but I’m really glad he did I feel a thousand times closer to my
did I feel a thousand times closer to my
did I feel a thousand times closer to my parents knowing this story and I know
parents knowing this story and I know
parents knowing this story and I know there’s still a lot that I I still can’t
there’s still a lot that I I still can’t
there’s still a lot that I I still can’t pull from them because you know it’s
pull from them because you know it’s
pull from them because you know it’s hard you know parents parents want to
hard you know parents parents want to
hard you know parents parents want to seem invincible for their kids and I get
seem invincible for their kids and I get
seem invincible for their kids and I get that and I I do but I feel I feel a
that and I I do but I feel I feel a
that and I I do but I feel I feel a hundred percent a hundred times closer
hundred percent a hundred times closer
hundred percent a hundred times closer to them knowing that they also went
to them knowing that they also went
to them knowing that they also went through discrimination being Chinese in
through discrimination being Chinese in
through discrimination being Chinese in Vietnam so I called my dad the other
Vietnam so I called my dad the other
Vietnam so I called my dad the other week and I asked him hey Dad like when
week and I asked him hey Dad like when
week and I asked him hey Dad like when you came to America why didn’t you
you came to America why didn’t you
you came to America why didn’t you change your last name back to Wu
change your last name back to Wu
change your last name back to Wu I mean ethnically where Chinese our last
I mean ethnically where Chinese our last
I mean ethnically where Chinese our last name actually labels us as Vietnamese
name actually labels us as Vietnamese
name actually labels us as Vietnamese people and my mom she’s done the same
people and my mom she’s done the same
people and my mom she’s done the same thing during during during high school
thing during during during high school
thing during during during high school she would be like Oh change your last
she would be like Oh change your last
she would be like Oh change your last name and at that time I didn’t know this
name and at that time I didn’t know this
name and at that time I didn’t know this whole story so I had worked so hard on
whole story so I had worked so hard on
whole story so I had worked so hard on figuring out a cool way to explain my
figuring out a cool way to explain my
figuring out a cool way to explain my last name I’d be like hey I’m Tom no the
last name I’d be like hey I’m Tom no the
last name I’d be like hey I’m Tom no the G is silent cuz real G’s move in silence
G is silent cuz real G’s move in silence
G is silent cuz real G’s move in silence like lasagna
but my dad my dad had up my dad had a
but my dad my dad had up my dad had a way better story he told me that this is
way better story he told me that this is
way better story he told me that this is part of our family history he this is
part of our family history he this is
part of our family history he this is part of our family history
part of our family history
part of our family history he wants he wants this his well he wants
he wants he wants this his well he wants
he wants he wants this his well he wants this last name to remind us of what our
this last name to remind us of what our
this last name to remind us of what our family went through because behind every
family went through because behind every
family went through because behind every label there’s a story and you need to
label there’s a story and you need to
label there’s a story and you need to understand that label to understand that
understand that label to understand that
understand that label to understand that story see labels they’re usually a bad
story see labels they’re usually a bad
story see labels they’re usually a bad thing right and I get that but it’s only
thing right and I get that but it’s only
thing right and I get that but it’s only because we put so much emphasis into
because we put so much emphasis into
because we put so much emphasis into them they don’t need a mean that much we
them they don’t need a mean that much we
them they don’t need a mean that much we put so much emphasis in ethnicity and
put so much emphasis in ethnicity and
put so much emphasis in ethnicity and religion but we don’t think about the
religion but we don’t think about the
religion but we don’t think about the things were passionate about our family
things were passionate about our family
things were passionate about our family history who we care about the incidents
history who we care about the incidents
history who we care about the incidents that happen to us don’t these things
that happen to us don’t these things
that happen to us don’t these things define us to see labeling is just to
define us to see labeling is just to
define us to see labeling is just to start labeling it’s just the start of
start labeling it’s just the start of
start labeling it’s just the start of the process of understanding something
the process of understanding something
the process of understanding something or someone better it doesn’t have to be
or someone better it doesn’t have to be
or someone better it doesn’t have to be correct it doesn’t have to be right or
correct it doesn’t have to be right or
correct it doesn’t have to be right or wrong but it helps us it help us helps
wrong but it helps us it help us helps
wrong but it helps us it help us helps us understand a little bit we don’t need
us understand a little bit we don’t need
us understand a little bit we don’t need to put emphasis that much into these
to put emphasis that much into these
to put emphasis that much into these labels I’m not an Asian man I’m an Asian
labels I’m not an Asian man I’m an Asian
labels I’m not an Asian man I’m an Asian American man my last name is no my
American man my last name is no my
American man my last name is no my parents escaped Vietnam but ethnically
parents escaped Vietnam but ethnically
parents escaped Vietnam but ethnically I’m Chinese I’m a thousand of labels at
I’m Chinese I’m a thousand of labels at
I’m Chinese I’m a thousand of labels at once and that’s okay
once and that’s okay
once and that’s okay that’s what makes me unique that’s what
that’s what makes me unique that’s what
that’s what makes me unique that’s what makes me different I’m Tom know and I’m
makes me different I’m Tom know and I’m
makes me different I’m Tom know and I’m asian-american
asian-american
asian-american [Applause]
”
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