A Vietnamese Student's Dream on the 60th Anniversary of Human Rights Day
Good Evening Everyone,
I am Kim Nguyen, 18, and is currently studying my first year at York University.
Since the beginning of its time, Canada is a country which strongly believes in the equality and freedom for mankind. That is why; it is my great blessing to be born in such a promising country in its belief. In Canada, we can talk about any topic, discuss about any issue raise, knowing that we can express freely. In school for example, students are asked to share their opinions and feelings, and both students and teachers respect one another’s opinions. Due to the fact that it’s a democratic country, we often forget how fortunate we are to be able to practice our freedom. That is why, especially young people like me today, loves to talk and even at times like to argue. No matter what, we have the right to practice our freedom. However, not all countries are as fortunate as Canada and the U.S of America because they are still fighting to gain their rights and freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you a question. What is freedom? Freedom is not a materialistic item you can seize with your hands, but it is the right of life for everyone, no matter where you are from. To define freedom, I think that words alone are not enough to define it, but one must experience living this way of life. Therefore, there are still many people who are trying to gain back freedom, especially those who are still in our home-country, who is going through tremendous sufferings and tortures for it.
At the age of six to fourteen, I attended Vietnamese class every Saturday morning. I learned a lot about about Vietnam, such as our language, Vietnamese folk sayings, traditions and customs, the country’s geography and history. It makes me a proud Canadian-born Vietnamese and to be able to speak my mother’s tongue language. Our Vietnamese history consists of many heroes and legendary figures, such as the Trung Sisters, Mr. Tran Hung Dao, Mr. Ngo Quyen and etc. Even though they were people of different decades in history’s time period, they all had one thing in common. That is, the dream to bring forth Vietnam to a brighter future where there is freedom and happiness. They dedicated their whole heart and soul for Vietnam’s future generations; always fighting, even if it meant giving up their lives.
As Vietnamese people, we are the children of our Father Lac Long Quan and Mother Au Co. We are one family, sharing the same ancestors. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, your presence here today has made me very happy because it let me know that like our heroes, we carry on the same dream; wanting to win back the freedom and equality the people of Viet Nam deserves. In particular is the issue of the Thai Ha parish, where the priests and parishioners are currently facing crucial torture and hardships.
As I am standing here today, I not only want to share with you my thoughts for tonight’s event, but also to share some words with our friends back home, and to speak on behalf of all the Vietnamese youth born here:
“My dear friends don’t give up! Please remember that when you stumble, trip, and fall, there are people like me here tonight, ready to catch you and get you back on your feet. Together we’ll hold hands and take one step at a time together to proceed forward. You have the right, the voice to speak up, and no matter how much you want to, you can not do so. My words, my voice here tonight, and many people here, we will unite as one Vietnamese body, we will call and wake up the world together!”
To conclude, I would like to borrow a verse from the song “Mot Ngay Viet Nam”, which in English mean, “One day…Viet Nam”, by songwriter Mr. Tram Tu Thieng. I will try my best to translate this song in English,
Through the suffering and torture, or blissful times, we still sing… Viet Nam.
Joining our hearts and souls, oh the hearts of the same blood
Calling you, calling me, always calling near or far,
Calling to end all darkness,
For the voice and dream of that One Day, Vietnam
That one day Vietnam, the day you’re released from the long, dark, anguish nights,
The day the world celebrates and rejoices,
In this song called, “One Day…Viet Nam”.
Thank you for your attention.
Good Evening Everyone,
I am Kim Nguyen, 18, and is currently studying my first year at York University.
Since the beginning of its time, Canada is a country which strongly believes in the equality and freedom for mankind. That is why; it is my great blessing to be born in such a promising country in its belief. In Canada, we can talk about any topic, discuss about any issue raise, knowing that we can express freely. In school for example, students are asked to share their opinions and feelings, and both students and teachers respect one another’s opinions. Due to the fact that it’s a democratic country, we often forget how fortunate we are to be able to practice our freedom. That is why, especially young people like me today, loves to talk and even at times like to argue. No matter what, we have the right to practice our freedom. However, not all countries are as fortunate as Canada and the U.S of America because they are still fighting to gain their rights and freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you a question. What is freedom? Freedom is not a materialistic item you can seize with your hands, but it is the right of life for everyone, no matter where you are from. To define freedom, I think that words alone are not enough to define it, but one must experience living this way of life. Therefore, there are still many people who are trying to gain back freedom, especially those who are still in our home-country, who is going through tremendous sufferings and tortures for it.
At the age of six to fourteen, I attended Vietnamese class every Saturday morning. I learned a lot about about Vietnam, such as our language, Vietnamese folk sayings, traditions and customs, the country’s geography and history. It makes me a proud Canadian-born Vietnamese and to be able to speak my mother’s tongue language. Our Vietnamese history consists of many heroes and legendary figures, such as the Trung Sisters, Mr. Tran Hung Dao, Mr. Ngo Quyen and etc. Even though they were people of different decades in history’s time period, they all had one thing in common. That is, the dream to bring forth Vietnam to a brighter future where there is freedom and happiness. They dedicated their whole heart and soul for Vietnam’s future generations; always fighting, even if it meant giving up their lives.
As Vietnamese people, we are the children of our Father Lac Long Quan and Mother Au Co. We are one family, sharing the same ancestors. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, your presence here today has made me very happy because it let me know that like our heroes, we carry on the same dream; wanting to win back the freedom and equality the people of Viet Nam deserves. In particular is the issue of the Thai Ha parish, where the priests and parishioners are currently facing crucial torture and hardships.
As I am standing here today, I not only want to share with you my thoughts for tonight’s event, but also to share some words with our friends back home, and to speak on behalf of all the Vietnamese youth born here:
“My dear friends don’t give up! Please remember that when you stumble, trip, and fall, there are people like me here tonight, ready to catch you and get you back on your feet. Together we’ll hold hands and take one step at a time together to proceed forward. You have the right, the voice to speak up, and no matter how much you want to, you can not do so. My words, my voice here tonight, and many people here, we will unite as one Vietnamese body, we will call and wake up the world together!”
To conclude, I would like to borrow a verse from the song “Mot Ngay Viet Nam”, which in English mean, “One day…Viet Nam”, by songwriter Mr. Tram Tu Thieng. I will try my best to translate this song in English,
Through the suffering and torture, or blissful times, we still sing… Viet Nam.
Joining our hearts and souls, oh the hearts of the same blood
Calling you, calling me, always calling near or far,
Calling to end all darkness,
For the voice and dream of that One Day, Vietnam
That one day Vietnam, the day you’re released from the long, dark, anguish nights,
The day the world celebrates and rejoices,
In this song called, “One Day…Viet Nam”.
Thank you for your attention.