South Phila. festival launches Tet celebration early

The noise of the firecrackers was deafening.

Bits of red paper from the mini-explosions spewed into the air from the steps of South Philadelphia High School as spectators covered their ears and a drummer pounded away, adding to the commotion.

Boy Scouts from Troop 547 performed the traditional Lion Dance, signaling the start of the second annual South Philadelphia Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tet, celebration, 11 days ahead of the actual holiday.

"This festival is for children to know our culture," said Oscar Vu, president of the Greater Philadelphia Vietnamese American Community, which helped organize the event.

The festivities also marked the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the first wave of Vietnamese refugees in 1975 - many as "boat people" - after the fall of Saigon.

Vu, 70, came to Philadelphia in 1981 via Saigon, the Philippines, and Lafayette, Ind. He said he missed much about Vietnam - his village, school, teachers, friends - but not the politics.

The celebration will help pass on traditions from his homeland to the younger generation, he said, looking at the school gymnasium filled with vendors and hundreds of Vietnamese Americans.

What made the celebration more remarkable was where it was held.

In December 2009, about 30 Asian students were attacked at the high school by groups of mostly African American classmates. Seven ended up needing hospital treatment for their injuries. A weeklong boycott followed, as did news coverage and a federal investigation.

Former students and community leaders credit a dramatic turnaround at the school to the leadership of Otis Hackney, principal of South Philadelphia High since 2010.

For the last two years, about 150 Asian students, many from the high school, have volunteered to help with the celebration.

"Just a few years ago, they would have been hesitant to be here," said Hackney, who attended Sunday's celebration.

He said it was good to see his students transforming a negative occurrence into a positive one.

For the school even to be approached about holding the event was humbling, Hackney said.

In 2014, the last group of students involved in the attacks and boycotts graduated.

Trang Dang, 20, remembers being afraid as a 14-year-old at the school and participating in the boycott.

"I truly believed if I was part of it, I would make change," said Dang, now at Drexel University majoring in engineering. She credits the drastic changes made by the school administration for turning around the school and making it a comfortable place for Asian students.

Holding the festival at her alma mater helps the community, she said. It helps bridge the gap from one generation to the next, said Dang, who was born in Vietnam.

"The kids don't feel as connected as much as my parents feel," she said. Last year, Dang volunteered at the event; this year, she plans to just enjoy it, she said.

Hanh Dang and Kerrie Tran, both 15, were wandering around the game area, where the majority of the teenagers were congregating. It was their first time at the event.

"It is an opportunity to see, know, and learn more" about their culture, Tran said.

Hahn Dang planned to sample some of the dishes at the Crabby Cafe booth.

"I don't eat much of my food at home," she said of Vietnamese cuisine. Her mother, she said, has nagged her about her preference for "American" food, but after seeing what was offered, Dang was going to give it a try.

"It looked good," she said.