534 - Is It Time For Vietnamese-Americans To Finally Drop The War Narrative? - Sean O'Harrow

How can a regional museum bridge global heritage with local diaspora communities?

In this episode, Ken visits the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, to sit down with President and CEO Dr. Sean O'Harrow. Born in France, raised in Hawaii, and educated at Harvard, Sean is the son of a prominent American professor of Vietnamese language and a French-Vietnamese mother.

Sean shares his personal journey navigating biracial identity—what he playfully calls being a "bánh bao" or "chặp phở" (a unique mix)—and explains how growing up as an outsider inspired his career in art history and museum leadership. Together, Kenneth and Sean discuss moving past war-centered narratives, engaging Little Saigon's Vietnamese-American community, hosting events like the Viet Film Fest, and managing a major cultural institution that serves diverse global heritage.

Inside the Episode:

A "Chặp Phở" Heritage: Growing up in Hawaii as the child of a Vietnamese language professor father and a French-Vietnamese mother.

The Power of Third-Person Perspective: How feeling like a "forever tourist" shaped Sean's objective approach to art, architecture, and academics.

Reframing Vietnamese Art & Media: Moving beyond war narratives to showcase contemporary fashion, film, literature, and culinary culture.

Leading the Bowers Museum: Building partnerships with community organizations (Viet Film Fest, VALA, Viet Book Fest) and engaging Santa Ana's diverse demographics.

The Role of Museums in a Digital Age: Countering AI and virtual spaces with real-world artifacts, history, and community experiences.

Connect & Follow:

Institution: Bowers Museum (Santa Ana, CA)

The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast