Death in Cambodia, Life in America Dorothy Chow

Welcome back to Season 3 of Death in Cambodia, Life in America! We're starting season 3 off strong with a special guest: Dr. Patrick Heuveline. Dr. Heuveline is a sociologist and expert on the long-term consequences of the Khmer Rouge regime, discusses the effects of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. He explores topics such as the baby boom that occurred after the Khmer Rouge, the mental health effects on survivors and their children, and the transformation of family structures in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia. Dr. Heuveline also touches on the comparison between the effects of the Khmer Rouge and other genocides, such as the Holocaust and the genocide in Rwanda. The conversation explores the process of healing and reconstruction in Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge regime. It discusses the challenges of conducting research in post-conflict settings and the need for comparative studies. The conversation also highlights the slow healing process at the population level, with younger generations indirectly experiencing the trauma through their interactions with the older generation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of documenting the history, promoting dialogue, and encouraging the diaspora to contribute to the country's development.

Dr. Sophal Ear, a Cambodian refugee, shares his journey from escaping the Khmer Rouge to becoming a successful academic and writer. He discusses his multifaceted work, including teaching, research, and consulting, and his passion for paying it forward and giving back. Dr. Ear reflects on the importance of educating the next generation about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodian history. He also shares his experiences growing up in France, the challenges of moving to America, and the impact of his mother's determination. Throughout his journey, Dr. Ear emphasizes the role of others in shaping his success and the importance of community. Sophal Ear shares his journey of choosing a different path from becoming a medical doctor to pursuing political science and economics. He discusses the complexities of development and the flaws in foreign assistance. He also talks about his experience writing about Western academic supporters of the Khmer Rouge and the challenges of publishing a book. He shares the inspiration behind his TED Talk and the creation of a documentary about his family's story of escape from the Khmer Rouge. He concludes with a message to the second generation of Cambodian Americans, emphasizing the importance of appreciating their parents' journey and taking responsibility for continuing the story.

Soreath Hok, a multimedia journalist, shares her journey in the media industry and her focus on reporting on Cambodian-American mental health issues. She discusses her upbringing as a 1.5 generation immigrant and her love for media from a young age. Soreath talks about her experience in college radio and how it led her to pursue a career in journalism. She highlights the importance of representation in the media and the support she has received for her reporting on Cambodian Americans. Soreath also discusses her fellowship at the USC Annenberg Center for Mental Health Journalism and the impact it had on her reporting. Soreath Hok's journalism work focuses on the mental health issues faced by Cambodian refugees and the second generation. She highlights the lack of resources and culturally sensitive care available to these communities. Through her reporting, she sheds light on the trauma and challenges experienced by Cambodian refugees and their descendants. Soreath's articles have been well-received and have won awards. She also explores her own family's story and the donut industry in her writing. Soreath's work is part of a larger movement to bring awareness and healing to the Cambodian American community.

Additional Resources and Soreath's work:
-https://www.kvpr.org/community/2022-11-28/from-cambodia-to-california-survivors-of-the-khmer-rouge-genocide-need-access-to-mental-healthcare
-https://www.kvpr.org/health/2022-11-30/a-program-built-for-and-by-cambodian-refugees-suffering-from-ptsd-participants-say-it-works
-https://www.kvpr.org/local-news/2022-12-02/how-a-temple-and-a-newer-generation-is-carrying-cambodian-tradition-in-fresno
 https://www.kqed.org/news/11945946/the-oakland-program-helping-the-cambodian-community-heal-unspoken-trauma
Legacy of Mrs. Rosalynn Carter and impact on Cambodian refugees: https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2023/12/01/rosalynn-carter-death-cambodian-refugees-thailand-soreath-hok

 Myra  Torcheux has her masters from The London School of Economics and aspires to change policies for children's rights. Much of her passion for this career is driven by her experience growing up in France as an adoptee. I mentioned via social media that I am passionate about highlighting stories that deserve more attention, one storyline being the great amount of orphans that came out of the Khmer Rouge. We brought Myra onto the podcast for her to share her experiences, her struggles with her identity, and more. 

Here is a summary of her dissertation to learn more! https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/seac/2023/01/26/uncovering-transitional-justice-in-the-post-genocide-cambodian-diaspora/

John was a stringer for the Time Magazine and Washington post from 1979-1980’s, covering on the ground exactly what was happening in these Cambodian refugee camps. He has had first hand experience and was on the grounds of the camps, witnessing everything going on from starving people marching out the forests, to being there the day of First Lady Carter Visit in November 1979. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pick his brain and give all the listeners an inside scoop on what his experience was like.

In this episode we cover the following topics: 
 What was a day-in-the-life of a stringer (journalist) during that time? Did he feel resistance against journalists who were trying to share what was going on?What were the dynamics between Thais, UN organizations, and refugees?What did he witness at the camps?What was the impact of First Lady Carter's visit to Cambodia?What did he learn from the experience?John is also the author of 5 Khmer books. You may find his full library of works at:
www. john-burgess.net

John Burgess Washington Post Articles from 1979-1980:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/01/13/feuding-armed-factions-hurt-cambodian-relief-efforts/854c4c76-75f0-49e0-a01b-66f130a86e8e/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/10/11/new-khmer-flight-to-thailand-begins/0926d22a-2bc0-4c39-a90f-19bdeb426047/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/10/30/struggle-to-save-lives-of-refugees-frequently-fails/0f32dd1d-3048-4322-9ef8-6bb8284c3bb4/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/10/24/a-futile-dash-with-a-dying-boy/ebf38e3b-4907-46e9-96fb-350b3d7f2d35/

Ken Swann was a Field Representative for the IRC, was on the field working directly with the refugees in the main refugee camps. His job consisted of helping transport doctors and nurses to the correct camps, run errands for medical staff, and towards the end helped compiled the "Unaccompanied Minor Handbook" which helped reconnect kids with their parents in the camps. His work was incredibly valuable in saving the lives of refugees, and in this episode he shares what he witnessed during those 2 years. 

Ken has recommended the following reading list for our listeners to learn more: 
"Cambodia Year Zero", by Francois Ponchaud"Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon, and the Destruction of Cambodia" by William Shawcross"Brother Number One: A Political Biography of Pol Pot", by David Chandler"The Tragedy of Cambodian History", by David Chandler"Facing the Cambodian Past", by David Chandler"Cambodia's Curse; The Modern History of a Troubled Land", by Joel Brinkley