Vincent Who? (2009)

Documentary about the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982 and the aftermath. The documentary also explores the modern Asian-American identity when so few Asian-American youths are aware of who Vincent Chin is.

Introduction
"Vincent Who?" is a thought-provoking documentary from 2009 that looks into the life and death of Vincent Chin, an American male of Chinese origin who was brutally killed in a hate criminal offense in 1982. The movie utilizes this incident as a springboard to go over Asian-American identity, the ramifications of racial hate criminal activities, and the fight for civil rights.

The Crime and the Fight for Justice
Vincent Chin, a 27-year-old Chinese-American man, was beaten to death by 2 white auto employees, Ronald Ebens and his stepson, Michael Nitz, in the Tradewinds Bar in Detroit. The opponents, misinterpreting Chin for Japanese, blamed him for "stealing their jobs" in the then-struggling American automobile industry. The 2 males initially got a $3,000 fine and three years' probation - a punishment that sparked public outrage and accentuated a typically neglected reality - hate criminal activities against Asian-Americans.

The movie backtracks the efforts of Lily Chin, Vincent's mom, and the wider Asian-American neighborhood to seek justice for his awful death-- a journey that prompted higher federal courts to revisit the criminal activity. However, the ultimate acquittal of the killers on a 2nd trial triggered a much deeper awareness of the racial predispositions within the justice system.

The Legacy of Vincent Chin and Implications on Asian-American Identity
"Vincent Who?" checks out the extensive effect of Vincent Chin's death. It awakened the Asian-American neighborhood's sense of identity and racial pride, activating them into a cohesive activist group that started promoting for recognition and civil rights. The movie includes interviews with crucial figures of the Asian-American community, who provide their viewpoints on the effect of Vincent's murder. The movie likewise highlights the launch of Asian-Pacific American companies and the fight versus other hate crimes.

Continuing Relevance and Conclusions
Despite being embeded in the aftermath of an event nearly 30 years old at the time of the movie's release, "Vincent Who?" remains appropriate today, touching on concerns still faced by Asian-Americans in the U.S. It shares honest experiences of modern-day racial discrimination, racial profiling, and dislike criminal activities, recommending an ongoing battle for Asian-American equality and justice.

By contrasting previous and present, it invites audiences to question whether much has truly altered because Chin's death. The interviews with young Asian-Americans reveal their lack of awareness about Vincent Chin's murder, triggering the viewer to review how history tends to repeat itself when not remembered and learned from.

In conclusion, "Vincent Who?" is a poignant expedition of the racial dichotomy existing in the United States, revealed through the story of Vincent Chin. The documentary is a call to action, advising us of the everlasting fight versus racism and the importance of civil liberties advocacy. It strongly puts a face to the frequently unpublicized issue of hate criminal activities versus Asian-Americans, highlighting the requirement of both historic remembrance and continuous dialogue about racial oppression.

Top Cast

  • Nhung Truong
    Self
  • Lisa Ling (small)
    Lisa Ling
    Self
  • Kelly Hu (small)
    Kelly Hu
    Self
  • Ben DeGuzman
    Self
  • Eric Nakamura
    Self