Vietnamese in America learned self-defense after attacking Asians

The Vietnamese-American community is organizing self-defense courses after a series of shootings aimed at Asians.

After the terrible shooting in Atlanta (Georgia) in mid-March, Tam Nguyen organized self-defense classes for the Vietnamese community in Garden Grove, California. The purpose of the class is to help members protect themselves from racist acts against Asian Americans. Photo: Reuters.

The shootings at three spas in the city of Atlanta have left 8 people, including 6 women of Asian descent, dead. The suspect said he suffered from a sexual addiction and the women were “tempted”. The shooting occurred amid rising Asian stigma attacks in the United States during the epidemic, which also sparked debate about stigmatization against Asians and a recurring image. the sexualization of Asian women in America. Photo: Reuters.

The Covid-19 pandemic prompted Nguyen to set up “Nailing It for America”. This organization accepts donations and distributes personal protective equipment for medical personnel, with a device value of about $ 30 million. In addition, the organization also provides food for the elderly isolated by the pandemic. When the shooting happened, the organization’s goal changed, focusing on helping the Asian community as well as colleagues in the beauty industry. Photo: Reuters.

Self-defense classes have also been offered in many other parts of the United States. Officials and police are also involved in teaching students and members of the Asian community how to avoid becoming victims and what to do when something goes wrong. Photo: Reuters.

“Violent situations are happening more and more. As an Asian woman, I really want to know what to do when I am in that situation,” said Vy Truong, a student. Photo: Reuters.

At the Tam Nguyen family-owned beauty salon, masters teach about 50 students for a period of one to two weeks. Lessons focus on getting away and escaping from the attacker. In addition, the masters also taught how to counterattack to pin enemies to the ground and attack at vulnerable locations. Photo: Reuters.

Tam Nguyen is a co-owner of a beauty salon in the city of Garden Grove. His family center has helped 50,000 students graduate in 35 years of operation. Most of the trainees are of Vietnamese origin. Photo: Reuters.

According to US census data, 40% of the population of Garden Grove is of Asian descent. In the nearby city of Huntington Beach, many white daemons regularly gathered to protest. Photo: Reuters.