Dork Dancing Reaches Victims of Agent Orange
Dork Dancing started on the beaches of Da Nang, Vietnam (during the global COVID19 pandemic) by an American. Rewind 50 years and Americans were invading these same beaches. This context cannot be ignored. History matters because it affects who we are, and what is happening, today.
Meet Matthew, an American Vietnam War Veteran. He is acknowledging this history and doing something about it. In 1971, he was in Da Nang, in uniform. 40 years later, and he’s here again, outside of uniform, with a more healing and helpful purpose.
There’s a lot of pain. A lot of damage. A lot to heal.
For Americans especially, it’s important to acknowledge the destruction and devastation that we, as a country, inspired. This past cannot be ignored. Today there’s mines that have yet to explode, and generations of people whose lives have been compromised.
If we understand Agent Orange, a biochemical warfare operation, we can learn a bit more about what this looks like. During the war, Americans spread toxic chemicals across the country. It’s left generational scars; both environmental and human. These chemicals have killed and impaired. Survivors of agent orange have escaped death, but inherited cancer and life-altering disability. The children of agent orange show us this impact.
Matthew confronts the reality. As an American Vietnam War veteran, he himself has been challenged with cancer, which doctors suspect relate to exposure to Agent Orange. For him, he’s intimately connected with the issue. He can understand the problem better than most. Take the time to learn more about Matthew, his story, and how he’s moving forward with the collective pain of the past.
Dork Dancers can learn from Matthew. Like him, we can play a small part in this healing process. For Americans, we may even consider it a responsibility. For those in our community who carry a spirit of Dork Dancing, we have something simple to offer: some attention, love, and play.
Today, the spirit of Dork Dancing hit Da Nang’s Association of Victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin (VAVA), where dork dancers, Matthew, local volunteers, and victims of agent orange came together. The morning was full of fun activities: arts & crafts, singing, and of course dancing.
These kids, who inherited disability from dangerous chemicals generations ago, are some of the best dork dancers we have seen. They loved the dancing. Their energy, infectious. All they wanted to do was play. Jump. Shake. Spin. High five. Laugh. Smile.
These moments were felt heavily. There’s something tremendous about dancing that brings people together, across diverse backgrounds. It inspires joy and facilitates powerful connection.
The past is the past. It cannot be undone. And still, pain unfolds in time. There’s a healing process that follows. As Americans and as Vietnamese, there’s a history of trauma. The more that’s ignored, the worse.
By Dork Dancing together, we are doing what we can to listen and learn. Play and smile. As dork dancers in Vietnam, we invite healing. We have a small part to play.
Dork Dancing is a grassroots mental health initiative, campaign, and community effort. We depend entirely on charitable giving to inspire impact. We hope you may consider supporting by donating.