In a recent article published by the MN Daily, Matt Flegel, a member of the music band “Viet Cong,” demonstrates the sheer impact white privilege has on marginalized communities. In the article, Flegel responded to questions surrounding the offensive nature of their band name.

The name is a reminder of a history’s worth of violence and trauma to many Southeast Asian communities. Flegel acknowledges the weight of a name like “Viet Cong” carries, but said the band did not feel a need to change it. For the band to continue to use the name regardless of their reasoning reveals members’ inherent cultural insensitivity.

Flegel’s answers in the article dismisses the name’s sensitivity to communities whose families have been impacted by the war not only while it was happening, but of the aftermath that communities are still working to rebuild.

The Midwest Asian American Students’ Union (MAASU) does not tolerate the appropriation of the history associated with the band’s name. Our communities’ histories are not a cmmercial enterprise.

MAASU stands in opposition of the band’s decision to use “Viet Cong” as their band name, and we strongly urge that they change it.