Living the Experience: Migration, Exclusion, and Anti-Racist Practice (review)

Ethnic Stereotypes in the Central Highlands of Vietnam: Minority Students’ Perspectives

“…Y-Xuong’s comment on Kinh people’s separation from one another and from poor people manifests her stereotype that Kinh did not attach importance to affectionate interactions and solidarity among people in their community, and that Kinh strategically distanced themselves from others in order to demonstrate that they were more superior than other classes in society (Madariaga-Vignudo, 2009). This behavior toward other groups took on an established pattern which may help Kinh to ease their cross-group social interactions and maintain balance in their social relationships (Hosokawa, 1980).…”

“…The ethnic rank system seemed to be accepted by all ethnic groups, including the minority ones, although this meant they would remain in their subordinate positions (Hagendoorn, 1995) and have less opportunities for moving up (Madariaga-Vignudo, 2009). They still needed to accept the norms and values of the dominant group because of their desire to be part of the social system (Hagendoorn, 1995; Hosokawa, 1980) and to rise within the upper status ladder (Madariaga-Vignudo, 2009).…”

“…The ethnic rank system seemed to be accepted by all ethnic groups, including the minority ones, although this meant they would remain in their subordinate positions (Hagendoorn, 1995) and have less opportunities for moving up (Madariaga-Vignudo, 2009). They still needed to accept the norms and values of the dominant group because of their desire to be part of the social system (Hagendoorn, 1995; Hosokawa, 1980) and to rise within the upper status ladder (Madariaga-Vignudo, 2009). For minority people with a colonized mind, who were made to believe that they should be more like Kinh to reduce their backwardness and reach a higher level of development, their positive status-related stereotypes toward Kinh and negative status-related stereotypes toward themselves may reflect their acceptance of the ethnic hierarchies in Vietnamese society.…”

“…However, as ethnic stereotypes are often remarkably constant and stable, and positive cross-ethnic contact is only facilitated under certain circumstances and conditions, there needs to be internal and external support to manage effective contact between different ethnic groups and their members. Therefore, ethnic communities who play a vital role in improving intergroup relations (Madariaga-Vignudo, 2009) should construct extroverted and tolerant attitudes toward out-groups and differences. They should encourage and establish neighborhood associations and platforms for interpersonal friendships as well as cross-group contact and exchange.…”