163—Tales from Vietnamese Nail Shops in America

The Kitchen Sisters Present

The Kitchen Sisters & Radiotopia

Society & Culture

4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2021

⏱️ 24 minutes

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Summary

The women who were murdered in Atlanta were Korean, not Vietnamese. They were doing massage, not manicures. But they faced the hate and violence that is mounting against Asian American people in the United States.

We produced this story in 2000 as part of the Lost & Found Sound series on NPR. We presented it again as Vietnamese and other manicurists were losing their jobs and livelihoods during the pandemic. Today, we offer it again in honor of Asian American women wherever they live, whatever their work — and in memory of the women who lost their lives in Atlanta offering strangers a kind touch.

Currently it is estimated that more than 40% of the nail salon technicians in America are Vietnamese women. In California the numbers are estimated at more than 75%. The majority of these women are immigrants. Arriving in this country, Vietnamese immigrants, like those from other countries, have looked for a place to make their own economic niche. Many found one taking care of people’s hands and nails.

This story was originally produced by The Kitchen Sisters for Lost & Found Sound on NPR. Our host/narrator is Francis Ford Coppola.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Radio Topea, welcome to the Kitchen Sisters present from PRX.
0:05.6	We are the Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva.
0:09.4	I'm Alex Schwartz.
0:11.6	I'm Nomi Fry.
0:12.6	I'm Vincent Cunningham and this is Critics At Large, a New Yorker podcast for the Culturally
0:17.6	Curious.
0:18.6	Each week we're going to talk about a big idea that's showing up across the cultural landscape
0:22.7	and will trace it through all the mediums we love.
0:24.8	Books, movies, television, music, art.
0:27.2	And I always want to talk about celebrity gossip too.
0:29.6	And of course, we hope you'll join us for new episodes each Thursday, follow Critics
0:34.3	At Large today wherever you get podcasts.
0:39.7	Today the Kitchen Sisters present tales from Vietnamese nail salons in America.
0:45.5	We first produced this story in 2000 as part of our Lost and Found Sound series.
0:51.4	Last year we presented it again in honor of all the Vietnamese and other manicurists who
0:56.9	had lost their jobs and livelihoods during the pandemic.
1:00.8	Today thinking of the long history of violent and abusive treatment of Asian people in
1:06.3	the United States, we feel compelled to bring it to you once again.
1:11.0	The women who were murdered were Korean, not Vietnamese.
1:14.6	They were doing massage, not manicures, but they faced the hate and hostility that is
1:19.6	mounting against Asian people in this country.
1:23.3	March is International Women's Month.
	...

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