News about Gen Z youths—including some K-pop fans—who used TikTok to register but not attend former President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa has sparked much debate this past week. Whether one supports or criticizes that action, one fact remains clear: a younger generation is speaking out and joining public discourse in ways, and through platforms, that are beginning to draw serious attention.
Among Vietnamese American Gen Z, some are equally engaged in political life. These youths don’t just voice opinions; they take concrete action. One example is The Interpreter—a group of young Vietnamese Americans in their early twenties, born or raised in the U.S., who are actively carving out a space in civic dialogue.
The group’s news platform, The Interpreter, was co-founded in early June by Cookie Dương (Vietnamese name: Dương Ca Dao) and Jady Chan, a Vietnamese-Chinese American student. Cookie, 22, had just graduated in 2020 with a degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC). Jady Chan is currently studying Computational Neuroscience at the same university.
With support from like-minded peers—Evelyn Leong, Ashley Dương, Nhân Nguyễn, and Terry Nguyễn—the team launched The Interpreter. Cookie Dương leads editing and translation, while Jady Chan designs the website. Their mission: to bring timely knowledge and current events to older Vietnamese Americans who face language barriers in accessing mainstream information, and to counter the spread of misinformation and fake news within the community.
Guided by the motto “Translating Knowledge, Empowering Community,” the group harnesses their rare bilingual fluency to produce short TikTok videos translating news and articles from reputable international outlets into Vietnamese. Their aim is to provide the community with accurate, accessible information—delivered in a clear and engaging way.
Building Dialogue Across Generations: How The Interpreter Connects Young Vietnamese Americans with Their Families and Community
Bringing together nearly 20 young Vietnamese Americans—recent U.S. university graduates and early-career professionals, including a member working at VOX—The Interpreter grew out of shared personal frustrations within families. According to co-founder Cookie Dương, older family members often consume news with a strong bias on social or political issues, sparking arguments and conflicts between parents and children.
Drawing on these experiences, the group aims not only to bridge generational gaps but also to empower the Vietnamese American community by sharing knowledge and experiences shaped by a liberal education that values democracy and social responsibility.
Early Impact
Just a few weeks after its launch, The Interpreter’s Facebook page attracted over 800 followers, with around 500–700 daily readers. Engagement has been mostly positive, though some criticism is inevitable. The platform covers current events such as the pandemic, racial issues, and politics, but also includes practical advice—like how to have difficult conversations with parents and family members about controversial topics. Many young readers facing similar family conflicts have contributed, sharing perspectives and even relaying translated news back to their relatives.
A Bridge Between Generations
While opinions on the project may vary depending on political perspective, The Interpreter signals a hopeful trend: Vietnamese American youth actively engaging for the public good, fostering understanding between generations through accessible information. Generational gaps—shaped by lived experiences, historical context, and differences in education—are particularly pronounced in immigrant families. For these young adults, trained in liberal, critical thinking, dialogue based on mutual respect and attentive listening benefits both them and their parents.
Civic Engagement and the 2020 U.S. Election
As the 2020 U.S. presidential election approached, The Interpreter’s work coincided with a broader effort to encourage civic engagement among young voters. First-time voters—particularly 18-year-olds—were expected to number around four million, according to data from the University of Florida. Research indicates that young Asian Americans tend to lean Democratic; for instance, 61.6% of young Vietnamese Americans voted for Barack Obama in 2008, slightly below John F. Kennedy’s 63.8% in 1960. AALDEF data suggests that 18–29-year-old Asian American voters cast 89% of their ballots for Democratic candidates.
The Interpreter emphasizes that empowering the younger generation depends not only on the youth themselves but also on the broader Vietnamese American community. By placing trust in these young leaders, the community allows them to represent the next generation, contributing actively to society and honoring the privileges of their education and citizenship, while asserting their identity as responsible immigrants.
