Alyssa Huynh is a Vietnamese-Australian Writer, Author, Anti-Racism Advocate & Educator, D&I Advisor and Speaker.
Photographer: Raye Scerri Films
Alyssa has been writing for over a decade, starting her journey giving advice on life and love. In 2020, she changed direction ever so slightly and decided to be more vulnerable and open, leading her to use her voice and platform to share her experiences as an Asian-Australian woman, address racism and embark upon a path of connecting with her Vietnamese heritage, inspiring and connecting with others along the way.
DEBUT BOOK
DEBUT BOOK
‘I’ve played the role of the quiet and embarrassed Asian girl who shyly laughs along more than I should have in my lifetime. Enough is enough.’
Growing up, Alyssa Huynh heard stories from her family about their journey from Vietnam to Australia following the fall of Saigon and the racism they experienced upon arrival. While the discrimination she faced was different, she never quite felt like she belonged either.
Longing for a safe space, she turned to the internet. Through sharing her writing online, she created a supportive community for fellow Asians and people of colour with similar experiences, as well as for allies. When some of her views went viral, important conversations were sparked, but there was also racist backlash – showing her that the work was necessary and her voice had impact.
Honest and heartfelt, Safe Space is unapologetically angry and sincerely hopeful. Alyssa explores the challenges she has faced as an Asian-Australian and those that made her the advocate she is today. She also offers practical advice, both to those who are victims of racism and wish to add their voice to the discourse or deepen their connection to their cultural identities, and to allies who want learn more about how they can meaningfully show their support. This is a book for anyone who believes that racism has no place in Australia’s future and is ready to take action.
Featured Podcast Episode
Featured Podcast Episode
In this SAFE SPACE episode we're going to find out what it's like to experience racism, when Jess sits down with Alyssa Huynh who shares her experience of living with racial prejudice as a young Vietnamese Australian. Alyssa hasn't always felt empowered to speak out, and you’ll hear first hand what it's like to experience internalized racism and self-hatred as she openly shares the shame she felt as a ‘Self Hating Asian’ and the objectification she’s faced in dating and sex. There is so much we can learn from Alyssa including the crucial role we can play as Allies by standing up against racism in our own social circles, and the importance of challenging and unlearning biases and stereotypes to create a safe space for all Australians to share their experiences.
Support and follow Alyssa’s writing and articles over at Substack
How Alyssa can help:
Debut Book
Safe Space is exceptionally heartfelt and honest. Capturing her experiences as an Asian-Australian woman, she highlights the different ways racism has presented itself throughout her life, details the pressures, challenges and not to mention, hate and harassment that she endured in being quite vocal against racism in the online space as well as her journey to deepening her cultural connection. Part memoir, part self-help, beyond Alyssa sharing her deeply personal story, as well as that of her family’s in leaving Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon to settle in Melbourne, Australia, she also shares advice and practical tips for anyone who has gone through the same experiences as herself as well as allies who want to show up and stand in solidarity with POC in a meaningful way.
Public Speaking
Alyssa is available for public speaking opportunities. From sharing her journey of writing and her book and with that, the art of pursuing your creativity, purpose and passion to speaking on how to deal with, and heal from, racism or how to support those who are subjected to it, her experiences in enduring years of relentless online trolling, hate, harassment, abuse and threats and her learnings on blocking out the noise and key pieces of advice on using your voice and a platform to speak about something very close to your heart to advice on strengthening your connection to your cultural roots, she can touch on those matters as well as much more. We can tailor the conversation to your needs. She is known for her very articulate, graceful, vulnerable, open-minded, thought-provoking and poignant tone, delivery and perspectives.
School Visits
In her book, Alyssa speaks about how racism has showed up in her life, including in her younger years, particularly throughout primary and high school and how her social circles weren’t made up of people who looked like her, and how that all deeply shaped her and impacted how she saw herself and her sense of belonging and self-love. She talks about how as she grew older, she distanced herself further away from celebrating and taking pride in who she is and where she comes from. She is ready to visit your school to share her story and to help students recognise and challenge racism and discrimination. She is passionate about empowering students to understand the power and impact of their voice and impact and the part we can all play both individually and collectively to challenge racism and where we can’t find space for ourselves, create it.
Support resources.
If you have experienced racial discrimination, you make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can also phone the Commission for advice on 1300 656 419 04 or (02) 9284 9600. Go to Racism. It Stops With Me, a national anti-racism campaign of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s ‘Reporting Racism’ page for more information on how to report.