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Heritage & Culture

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Photo by Yazmin Martinez

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Communism: an ideology that calls for a classless, moneyless, and stateless society. Though vilified in the United States, the belief system held different meaning for Xiejia Zhang (12).
How would you describe your belief system?
My political belief is a hybrid between American democracy and Chinese communism. I think the government should stay out or maybe even promote beneficial social change. But when it comes to economic issues, Im more communist-leaning. I do think the state ought to regulate the economy.

At age six, Michiel Van Zyl (12) moved to Louisville from South Africa. My dad got a position at U of L, and my parents thought that the U.S. would be a better place to raise children, Van Zyl said, There are always people that think that Africa is just like Tarzan. They dont really believe that there are cities or anything; they think its all jungle. Theyre also usually pretty confused because Im white. Photo by Yazmin Martinez
Supreme Seasons:

Every Saturday, six best friends gather for practice. Amid school stresses and the trappings of the American lifestyle, traditional Vietnamese dance keeps them tied to their roots.
Concept & words by Cara Burch & Spencer Kincaid | Design by Darby Brown

In South Africa, Van Zyl says weather conditions are generally milder than the U.S. Seasons are less extreme, and it can also depend on what part of South Africa you are in, Van Zyl said.

How do you feel about the way its viewed in America?

As far as Louisville goes, the community is all right. The average Joe definitely still harbors some prejudice against communism. But its not as extreme and wrong as during the Red Scare. Each generation is becoming more liberal and open-minded than the last.
Economic Rankings:

It was Friday night. Tina Huynh (10) scrolled through the familiar timeline of the Chua Phat Linh dance group Facebook page. She passed the dance ideas, the videos, the admonishing practice reminders. She then laid out her ao dai, a special dress, and cleared out her living room. Practice was tomorrow night. The next day found Huynh and her friendsthe self-dubbed Super Sixassembled on her living room floor. All of themHuynh, Mai Nguyen (11), Julia Nguyen (11), Thu Nguyen (10) Tram Nguyen (10), and Louisville Male High School freshman Lisa Nguyenwere of Vietnamese descent, with some related by blood. They had been friends for nine years, attended school together, hung out together, and now they danced together. After getting into formation, the music began, and so did the ma, a Vietnamese word for dance. Mai said the routine was mostly made of arm movements. Theres a little tutting [a dance movement] in it, but not a lot because were not very good at tutting. Its overall just position changes: simple moves smashed together to fit the rhythm of the song, Mai said. The dancers moved fluidly, like the dragon tail they were imitating. Thu stepped to the left. A second later, Huynh joined her. One by one, each of the girls stepped behind the other, the line flowing like a ribbon.
THE QUICK DRAGON| The friends laugh as they try to synchronize the dragon move. The hardest part is the half-second delay that we have to maintain throughout the entire line, Mai Nguyen (11) said.

In South Africa, theres a big contrast between the rich people and the poor people. I was definitely in the upper class there. There really arent many people in the middle class. Here, theres a ton of people that are economically stable but arent necessarily rich, Van Zyl said.
Shoes vs. No Shoes:

What stereotypes or incorrect interpretations of communism have you heard?

Communism is a dictatorship. Communism takes all your stuff. Thats the two most often interpretations Ive heard. The communist ideology doesnt really go for dictatorship. Maybe its been practiced this way by Stalin and Mao. But then, Im not a Maoist or a Stalinist. Realistically, communism aims to make the socioeconomic gap smaller. Because lets be honest, human nature will never allow equality among all.

Shoes are a necessity in America today, but not in South Africa. I didnt have to wear shoes to school, or anywhere really. In the U.S. everyone
Michiel Van Zyl (12) wears shoes everywhere, Van Zyl said.

DANCIN MACHINE | The Super Six meet for their first dress rehearsal of the year on Oct. 24 at Ten Thousand Buddhas Summit Monastery in Harrison County, Indiana. Choreography is usually split between Julia and me with everyone else putting stuff in when they want, Mai Nguyen (11) said. Photos by Lisa Pham

their performance, though, required weekly practices. As the shadows grew longer in Huynhs living room, Mai joked, Why are we doing this again? But the dancers continued, connecting with their culture and each other. Even though I was born in America

and not Vietnam, I am still a part of the new generation and I need to keep my roots, said Jennifer Bui (12), a past participant in the ensemble. Late in the night, the waves of ma stopped. The ao dais was swapped for jeans,

T-shirts, hoodies. But the end of their practice did not end the connection of the Super Six. Most of them would see each other at school that Monday, and beyond. If one of us moves out of state, Thu said, we are meeting up and Skyping.

They would perform their ma for their family and friends on the Vietnamese New Year in February. Preparing for

Abode Abroad

Usually when my mom cooks, we always get together as a big gathering and eat traditional food. We eat dumpling soup, cucumber salads, and schnitzel. We always have apple cakes for birthdays instead of regular cake. I actually speak German at home, which really keeps me connected to Austria. I love staying connected to my Austrian roots, Noelle Pouzar (12). [My family] is pretty far away from home, but weve found a group of Brazilian friends here. We get together once a month and enjoy Brazilian food and music. Im extremely proud of my heritage, Gabriella Torres (11). When you step into another country and you become surrounded with so much unfamiliar culture, you realize there are so many more worlds outside your neighborhood. It changes how you see everything, Matthew Stump (9).

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