Lac Su’s riveting tale of his life and process of integrating into American culture during a particularly strife-ridden time in Vietnam was elegantly written into a book titled “I Love Yous are for White People.” 

Su will visit De Anza College for a book reading, signing and Q-and-A session on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hinson Campus Center, Conference Rooms A&B.

At a young age, Su came to the United States, where the U.S. government promptly placed him into the urban sprawl of Hollywood with his family. His family eventually worked their way out of unfavorable conditions, not without a lot of problems and stress.

“There wasn’t a particular point that I was trying to make with my writing,” Su said in a phone interview. ” I had made a promise to myself at a young age that I would eventually write everything down and to spread the word.” 

After multiple painstaking years and attempts, as well as support from his family and colleagues, Su was able to finish writing his book. He considers it a beginning and continues to support  Vietnamese-Americans in vocalizng  their history, and to provide a voice for old and young generations alike.

“I Love Yous are for White People” heavily emphasizes how gangs affected his eventual integration into American culture, and although most associate gangs as a negative aspect, it helped Su in the long run in terms of finding a family and settling more comfortably and smoothly into the culture here. Eventually, Su’s father decided to move him out of their gang-infested neighborhood, and although extremely resentful at the time, Su gradually came to appreciate his father’s decision.

If Su could have rewritten the book in any way, he said he “would probably write the book backwards, in terms of chronological order. [I] should have also written an extra chapter to properly close this book.”

Currently a psychologist and a father of three kids, Su resides in Southern California with his wife and family. He continues to write, and is working on two books: a prequel and sequel to “I Love Yous are for White People.” 

He is heavily involved in the Vietnamese community in his area, and regularly supports charities and philanthropies. His ultimate goal is to provide a platform for others like him to have a voice in their community, and to have more exposure to their history. He founded and continues to run seminars such as Banana Bloggers, and is producing music for two different Vietnamese rappers.