Assimilation Doesn’t Cancel Heritage

* Re: R.A. Tejidor’s letter (“Getting in the Way of Assimilation,” Oct. 1). To my amazement, there are still people ignorant of history and facts. The vast majority of books in the East Asian section of the [UC Irvine] library are donated. They were not bought by the university.

Also, as a whole, the percentage of East Asian literature in the UCI libraries is many times less than the percentage of taxes which East Asians pay and many times less than the percentage of East Asian students at UCI. There is no subsidizing involved.

The last time I looked, this is a democratic society made up of many different peoples. Assimilation into a new country and culture is a good thing, as is remembering and keeping your heritage. I have used the books Tejidor objects to so vehemently to broaden my knowledge. I speak fluent English, but that does not preclude me from speaking my native Vietnamese also.

In addition, “Western” culture is made up of French, German, Italian, even Spanish, and a host of other languages and cultures; not just English.

In fact, if Tejidor’s parents assimilated so completely to his view of “Western” language and culture, why didn’t they change their name to something “Western” like Smith, instead of keeping Tejidor.

To R.A. Tejidor, I have three words: Read some history.

DAT NGO

UCI Class of ’92

Irvine