Open letter to The University of Texas at Austin

Michael P. Do
16204 Viki Lynn Pl.
Pflugerville, TX 78660
Tel: 512-251-9016/ 733-2964
Email: md46usa@yahoo.com
Website: www.michaelpdo.com

March 19, 2011

To:
The President of The University of Texas at Austin
Center for Asian Studies
The Texas Language Center

Subject: Vietnamese Language Class

Dear Sir / Madam,

My name is Michael Do, a UT Graduate with B.S. in Electrical Engineering. I am a Vietnamese American Community activist and writer.

In about 1996, I had a chance to officially meet with Mr. Vice President of UT regarding the Vietnamese Studies Program at UT since the number of Vietnamese American students had been grown critically.

I am very glad that today, there are some Vietnamese Language Classes at UT campus.
Of more than 20000 Vietnamese American who are living in Austin and its vicinity, the great majority of us are refugees who oppose the Communist regime in Vietnam. Thus, we always expect that the Vietnamese classes be taught by teachers who come from our community.
There are many of us who are qualified to teach Vietnamese language. We have people with high education, background, and experience in this field.

We are very sad to learn that UT invited a teacher from Communist Vietnam to handle the Vietnamese Classes. Recently, he posted on a UT official website his letter to call for student registering his class. On top of the webpage, he displays the red flag with yellow star of Communist Vietnam.

http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/tlc/SLI/Vietnamese-Language-Program.php

Looking at this flag make us very upset. For more than 35 years since the Vietnamese refugees came to this country, we have unceasingly tried to prove our identity as Vietnamese patriots against the existing Communist regime in Vietnam. Our Yellow background with three red stripes flag has gained the recognition from many States, Counties and Cities over the nation.
We are requesting the UT to offer the teaching job in Vietnamese Studies/Language to the qualified people from our community. We are very disappointed to see our children to be taught by our political opposing instructors who might carry our communist propaganda to poison our children..

Please, take this matter in serious consideration as we always have trust in the University of Texas.

Yours, Respectfully

Cc:
President’s Staff
Nancy Brazzil
Deputy to the President
512-471-1232
nab@po.utexas.edu

Charles A. Roeckle
Deputy to the President
512-471-1232
car@po.utexas.edu

President’s Staff
Nancy Brazzil
Deputy to the President
512-471-1232
nab@po.utexas.edu

Charles A. Roeckle
Deputy to the President
512-471-1232
car@po.utexas.edu

Center for Asian Studies
ceas@uts.cc.utexas.edu

Robert M Oppenheim
Coordinator
rmo@mail.utexas.edu | 512-471-7279 | WCH 5.134

Nicole L Elmer
Administrative Assistant
nelmer@mail.utexas.edu | 512-475-6011 | WCH 4.134
Salwa Uzri
Office Manager
salwa@austin.utexas.edu

The Texas Language Center
Homer Rainey Hall (HRH) 4.196
Email: tlc@austin.utexas.edu
Phone 512-471-6574