Chapter Fifteen. The Neglect of the Republic of Vietnam in the American Historical Memory

Abstract

This chapter explains the neglect of the Republic of Vietnam in the American historical memory. It makes a personal appeal to the diasporic community for help in addressing this problem. Echoing the volume's view about the importance of memories, the chapter urges everyone who lived under the Republic of Vietnam to write memoirs, to grant interviews, and to share their memories. The most important kind of help from the community, the chapter argues, is to provide primary sources for historians. In addition, the chapter contends that the community should support Vietnamese studies, value the humanities and the social sciences as possible careers for their children, and support intellectual freedom.