Themes in my Enemy in Vietnam

Use this forum to discuss the March 2022 Book of the month, "My Enemy in Vietnam" by Billy Springer
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sayoniwrites
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Re: Themes in my Enemy in Vietnam

Post by sayoniwrites »

The main theme is racism. However, this book shows the power of opening up our minds. This in turn leads to finding companionship in everyone. Friendship and acceptance were also some of the main themes.
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Helen Akoth
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Post by Helen Akoth »

Apart from the theme of racism, the theme of resilience also stands out. Despite being black and all the racism and challenges that surrounded him, the author bounces back and still finds a way of navigating himself in Vietnam.
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Post by Ceeco2002 »

Gabriela C 1 wrote: 02 Mar 2022, 11:13 My first thought was racism, but I think it goes beyond that. I believe that this book portrays how impossible it is to be truly alone, that when we start opening our hearts and seeing beyond our noses, we can find someone who will do their best to accept and understand us. I think is a very eye-opening scene that the Vietnamese people question black soldiers about their motivations, the fact that they are helping the white soldiers do to them what they have been doing to their people (black communities) for so long.

I think this book can also teach us about solidarity and empathy.
Yes, that's very true Gabriela, companionship and friendship is an important after in the book apart from racism of course. At the end of the day, no matter who you are in life, one still needs a friend to trust and rely on always.
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Post by Ayomidekenny2 »

I have five theme from the book. Friendship, language barrier, acceptance, racism, living beyond societal expectation is key for me.
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Marsha JJ
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Post by Marsha JJ »

Friendship and empathy were other themes in the book. I think this demonstrates that our basic common humanity and underlying kindness can rise above less important matters such as which "side" we are on.
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Mwatu
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Post by Mwatu »

I think other than racism, companionship jumps out with the way the soldiers are there for each other and refer to the black soldier as their "soul brother". There is also acceptance from the way the black soldiers blend in.
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Cece Maina
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Post by Cece Maina »

I personally think the theme that was evident to me is friendship...the author and narrator Billy Springer was able to get along with the Vietnamese and they were fond of him until they nicknamed him 'soul brother'.
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Post by Osazuwa Ogbebor »

Racism was by far the most common theme in the book. Apart from that, companionship, friendship, solidarity were also expressed in the book.
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Andrew Malenya
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Post by Andrew Malenya »

While reading this book it made me wonder which part of being inhuman makes one oppress another person. The author explores the theme of oppression sufficiently. Favourite quote was "Why are you helping the oppressor oppress us when your people are being oppressed in your country?”
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Post by Ironside Ms »

Companionship
Friendship,
Living in Love and Unity. Those are the central idea
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Sia P
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Post by Sia P »

The book's main theme was racism, which was evident throughout. It was difficult to pick up some pieces because the discomfort was amplified whenever such instances occurred. Other than that, the sense and feeling of being united were also one of the main themes.
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Christopher Martin
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Post by Christopher Martin »

The themes of Friendship and Unity depicted herein, restored my Faith in Humanity.Billy Springer's book brought out these themes in an exceptional manner that captivates the reader all the while. With Humanity, For Humanity.
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Post by Tendy567 »

Acceptance and unity were other themes portrayed in the book. The Vietnamese accepted that their skin color may be different from that of the black soldiers but they united to fight alongside each other.
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Post by Bookfest101 »

I think the author tried to show us that irrespective of where you come, you could be accepted and related with based on who you are a person are. And this is powerful. One thing that our colours and background does to us to stereotype us such that you don't get judged base on your person but rather on your race which is terrible.
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Post by Ikechukwu+12345 »

There is togetherness and friendship, but racism is an aspect of this book I find unpleasant. The racism or discrimination demonstrated against the black soldiers was disheartening.
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