Verum in libris

So my name is Viet, like the country.  First, Yes I am Vietnamese and no my last name isn’t Nam and neither is my brother’s name.
I don’t normally engage in these cyber soliloquys and personally I don’t like hearing my own voice anywhere but resonating from my own mouth. There’s just something particularly eerie and a tad bit awkward hearing myself in a recording or anything for that matter. Obviously, that’s a bit contradicting if you’ve seen the short film I was in: “One Hundred Eleven”. If you haven’t seen it, you should. Just two undergraduates, awkward acting, but apparently it conveys a very relatable realization. Check it out, I assure you 800 or so seconds you won’t regret, though again I apologize for my acting, I’m not exactly a Theatres major.

When I decided to be part of this film, it was an attempt to kill time over my academic break and I was being compensated with food, who would deny? I had no expectations of fame or creating a film that would empathize with so many people or as I feared causing myself to become a social pariah. I was ready to cope with the consequences, by all means I’m accepting of who I am to that extent. Approach me and ask and I’ll reply honestly. Real talk. But the moment, you judge me and ridicule because of who I am and what I did before you know me, that’s where you wronged.

When the video went viral, acclaim and criticism was inevitable. That was foreseen. But what I expected more was support from individuals I called my friends, especially those that I’ve known for…rather than basing my friendship by years, let’s say if I’ve shared some good moments with you, I’d say we’re good friends. But I didn’t exactly receive the best terms of endearment and frankly I don’t like being subjected to being part of a poorly photoshopped picture joke. Even if it was joke, I’m sorry but there’s no reason to ridicule anyone based on their sexuality even if lightly. I’m glad my being was able to evoke a few chuckles here and there.  

What I realized, was actually what I’ve been reading all my life.

Dr. Seuss was right “Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”. And now I’m attending an amazing university that has named a library in his honor. There’s not a day that I go without appreciating that building.

I digress; what he meant by that saying is Stop spending time with the wrong people. You have worth and those that matter will appreciate you for who you are, and for you being in their life as much as you are in theirs. And remember, if you want to see who matters, think back to that apocalyptic day that you felt you defined Murphy’s Law, remember those who stood by your side, it’s those people that you should keep in your life.

 Secondly stop trying to be someone you’re not. The world is vast, and there are people out there who are smarter, prettier, who do a lot of things better, but they will never ever be YOU. And I guess I’m learning to not to be someone to impress or to fit in because those that do matter to me will like me for who I am as a person.

Lastly, I refuse to be degraded by another. Never ever lower your morals or standards just because someone else is too ignorant, too inconsiderate to raise theirs. I’ve typed up so many words, I know I have more than enough fiber in my being to belligerently verbally shut someone down. And frankly, I can do so in 3…maybe 4 different languages after this year. But the point is, they are not even worth your time. First, they are probably way too obnoxious, lackluster in class and simply ignorant to understand and even consider that you’re about to use words that are above their basic vocabulary and probably downright exact of their character. So at the end of the day, no need to accommodate to their lowliness. You’re better. I’m better than that.

And I just wanted to say to  everyone who did support me and didn’t give a goddamn about that part of me, and by that I mean they didn’t see my sexuality, they saw my personality. I’m not sure the two words I want to say will ever suffice my indescribable and colossal gratitude, but thank you.

 I now have a stronger conviction perhaps someday it won’t matter, and people can just be themselves.