475 - What Can Vietnamese Learn From Black America? - Ryan Lex

In this episode, Kenneth Nguyen sits down with actor and activist Ryan Alexander Holmes. As we navigate February 2026, Ryan shares his perspective as a "Blasian" American—the son of a Black father from the South and a Chinese immigrant mother from Taiwan.

The conversation moves beyond the surface of "identity politics" to explore how race, class, and the American educational system shape our reality. Ryan argues that the "predator class" (the ultra-wealthy) benefits from social divisions that keep working-class communities of color from organizing for their collective interests.

Key Discussion Points

The Spectrum of Privilege: Ryan discusses growing up in the "cusp" of privilege, where every extra dollar was funneled into education rather than luxury.

The American "Science Fair" Experiment: Why the US education system often misses the mark on minority history by miles, leaving communities to educate themselves.

Radical Empathy as Revolution: How to handle the "Let Them" theory when facing criticism from within our own communities.

The Billionaire "Predator Class": A deep dive into why 0.1% of the population controls astronomical wealth while 90% faces stagnant wages and rising costs.

Black-Asian Solidarity: Ryan introduces Bloom, his cross-cultural organization designed to move past "tragedy-based" solidarity and toward shared joy and community.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!

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