 "...there is peace in the mind of every people" Dr. Van Huyhn: Vietnamese Peace Activist | Dr. Van Huyhn is a Vietnamese peace activist who visited Roosevelt Middle school for a seminar on post-Vietnamese War Vietnamese-American relations. During the seminar, Mr. Huyhn talked of many things which are important to realize in peace studies. His main point was that war should not and does not deter inter-ethnic relations between warring countries. War is simply an interest of the few while the many wish to help each other and learn about each other. From a Vietnamese point of view before the war, he stated that the Vietnamese thought that the United States was too far away to ever influence their country. Yet the war still did occur, killing over 3 million Vietnamese and 60,000 Americans. But as the years passed after the war, the Vietnamese realized that it was colonialism which they had to fear, not the general population of colonialist states. The Vietnamese, as a people, have found that Americans are peace-loving as well and realize, as do the Vietnamese, that nothing is more precious than freedom. The Vietnam war did much damage to the country, but Mr. Huyhn realizes that the Vietnamese must put the past behind them and look to the future, reconciling their differences with America and proceeding into a new era. As it is now, 70% of Vietnamese live in the countryside and modernization is not very widespread. Mr. Huyhn says that American students, when compared to those who are Vietnamese, do not even know how much of a good condition they are learning in.. But, all-in-all, Mr. Huyhn stated that he believes a friendship between America and Vietnam can be reached and will be a good bond for the future.  Dr. Huhyn stands with Rob Kyker during his May 1997 Roosevelt Middle School visit. Dr. Van Huyhn is said:"[There is] Peace in mind of every people [along with] friendship and solidarity." |