A Vietnamese Group Evolves

Emigres formed the organization called Vietnamese Community of Southern California a decade ago to speak out on the social and economic needs of Vietnamese Americans and to oppose normalization of relations with their native land. Now the organization is beset by quarrels over the legitimacy of its recent leadership election. But rather than bemoaning the infighting, members and supporters of the group should applaud the sometimes messy process of democracy.

Ban Binh Bui, an Irvine businessman, served the maximum allowable two two-year terms as president. Last month the slate of candidates he favored was withdrawn and another was elected amid protest from the Bui faction. Last weekend, the new president, Duc Trong Do of La Palma, was inaugurated during an expectedly brief, but welcome, truce.

The Vietnamese Community failed in its hard-line opposition to closer relations between Washington and Hanoi. But it represents a broad range of issues and does have deserved successes as an advocate for refugees from Vietnam. It has organized English and citizenship classes and tried to find jobs. It also has coordinated Orange County’s annual Tet festival, celebrating the lunar new year. Southern California is home to hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese Americans, most of them in Orange County, so the group quickly became important.

Its goal of representing the entire Vietnamese American community in Southern California by conducting elections for the organization throughout the region was an ambitious one. But there is no reason to expect unanimity among so large a community.

There are great differences among the various groups that left Vietnam for America over the years. Some fled in the waning days of the war, nearly a quarter-century ago. Others endured horrific hardships in escaping by boat and sometimes were subjected to long periods in refugee camps outside this country before winning admittance. Increasing numbers were born in this country and have only secondhand connections with their parents’ homeland.

The Vietnamese Community appears to be undergoing the normal process of maturing. It deserves credit for trying to help newcomers adapt to their new home. It should welcome debate within the ranks and maintain the tradition it began in its adopted country: holding free elections to let members decide whom they want to represent them.