Scars of War: The Politics of Paternity and Responsibility for the Amerasians of Vietnam

Scars of War, by Sabrina Thomas, explores why policymakers denied American citizenship to Amerasians of Vietnam, despite having American fathers. Thomas argues that the exclusion was part of larger issues facing the Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan administrations, such as international relationships, the Vietnam War, and racially restrictive immigration and citizenship policies. The book examines ideas of race, nation, and gender in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Scars of War, a groundbreaking book that received the prestigious Best First Book Award from the History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, delves into the profound and controversial decisions made by U.S. policymakers regarding the Amerasians of Vietnam. These biracial sons and daughters, born during the Vietnam War, resulted from the union of American fathers and Vietnamese mothers. Despite having American fathers, these individuals were denied American citizenship by policymakers.

In her meticulously researched work, Sabrina Thomas explores the underlying reasons behind this discriminatory treatment. She examines the impact of the 1982 Amerasian Immigration Act and the 1987 Amerasian Homecoming Act, which further exacerbated the exclusion of these individuals from American society. Thomas argues that the exclusion of citizenship was not merely a standalone issue but rather a part of a broader set of challenges faced by the Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan administrations. These challenges included the complex international relations of the Cold War era, America's humiliating defeat in the Vietnam War, and a history of racially restrictive immigration and citizenship policies against mixed-race persons and people of Asian descent in the United States.

Scars of War is not only a historical examination but also a timely and politically relevant exploration of race, nation, and gender in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Thomas exposes the contradictory approach of policymakers who were unable to reconcile Amerasian biracialism with the U.S. Code. On the one hand, they created an inclusive discourse, deeming Amerasians worthy of American action, guidance, and humanitarian aid. However, simultaneously, federal policymakers initiated exclusionary policies that designated these people as unfit for American citizenship.

Through her compelling narrative, Thomas sheds light on the complex and often painful experiences of the Amerasians. She highlights the struggles they faced, including discrimination, marginalization, and a lack of recognition as true Americans. Scars of War serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of challenging discriminatory policies that perpetuate inequality and injustice.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, social justice, and the complexities of race and identity in the United States. It provides a valuable perspective on a little-known chapter of American history and challenges readers to think critically about the ongoing issues of race, citizenship, and belonging.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496200549