Auntie: What do you mean?
Me: I used to read all these stories about people back during the war, helping each other and working together for a common cause. It's like, if there was ever a model of cooperation among a people, it would be Vietnam. But now, people seem more focused on either getting by or becoming rich. People love to talk about Iphones and pop music; no one likes to talk about bigger things.
Auntie: Back then, people were poor. They believed in what promised them a brighter future.
Me: So now they've achieved it then, I guess. Nothing to fight for anymore. No more enemy.
Auntie: Now, Vietnam is at peace.
Me: There are still plenty of things to fight for.
Auntie: Of course there are, like developing the economy. Taking care of your family.
Me: Right. I guess that's it. Some people make it and everyone benefits. But I'm still confused.
Auntie: About what?
Me: Isn't that everything you fought against? Some will be very rich. They'll have cars, land, big businesses -- things that the average citizen can never get. Isn't history repeating itself...?
Auntie: What are you getting at?
Me: I don't know. I just feel things are getting out of balance. Some people are getting left behind.
Auntie: The Vietnamese are a hard-working people. They always endure.
Me: But how can they do it when they don't have the right resources? The schools in the country aren't up to standard. They're being outcompeted by the children of rich families studying overseas.
Auntie: They will get there. They will study hard. The Vietnamese people value education.
Me: They do. But the motivation isn't enough. They need the right environment to help them get there.
Auntie: That takes time.
Me: Right.
Auntie: OK, I have to go cook dinner now. Your uncle will be home soon.
Me: Oh, sorry Auntie.
Auntie: What are you getting at?
Me: I don't know. I just feel things are getting out of balance. Some people are getting left behind.
Auntie: The Vietnamese are a hard-working people. They always endure.
Me: But how can they do it when they don't have the right resources? The schools in the country aren't up to standard. They're being outcompeted by the children of rich families studying overseas.
Auntie: They will get there. They will study hard. The Vietnamese people value education.
Me: They do. But the motivation isn't enough. They need the right environment to help them get there.
Auntie: That takes time.
Me: Right.
Auntie: OK, I have to go cook dinner now. Your uncle will be home soon.
Me: Oh, sorry Auntie.
