Michelle Wang-Week 9

Schlund-Vials discusses that Cambodians experienced war and genocide due to the Khmer Rouge tortured and killed thousands of citizens (2). The Khmer Rouge officials were trialed and the Khmer Rouge genocide was just like Agent Orange. Schlund-Vials discusses there were spaces provided to discuss the genocide as this reflects on the narratives and negative experiences of Cambodians (32). We are able to understand there are cases in which history is buried and narratives are forgotten. In discovering narratives and learning about the truth behind history and narratives, Schlund-Vials discusses that a museum was displayed to educate the future generation of Cambodian Americans about Khmer Rouge’s action and the genocide (34). This provides individuals an experience to learn about one’s roots and the negative impacts of the Khmer Rouge’s actions and genocide. Moreover, this provides social citizenship and a sense of belonging for Cambodians and Cambodian Americans as there are a retelling narratives and understanding about the refuge experience.  There is a sense of community and more awareness about struggles. As for the SEA community, this relates back to preserving history and narratives. Mostly, importantly I can connect the narration of the Khmer Rouge’s actions and the genocide back to understanding the Vietnam War. As we are able to understand the narratives of Khmer Rouge and Vietnam War, this allows us to learn about the history, understand the truth and details behind historic events which had been left out of academic textbooks, and educate the younger generation about their roots. The Khmer Rouge genocide was a tragedy and can be connected to the Rwandan genocide. The Rwandan genocide was a war between the ethnic groups Hutu and Tutsi. According to University of Denver, an exhibit was opened to bring awareness of the Rwandan Genocide (1). The exhibit had personal narratives of survivors and witnesses from Denver, Colorado. The exhibit was promoting global peace and the goal of preventing future genocides from occurring. This allows the community to be aware of the impact of the Rwandan Genocide and the exhibit displays narratives.

Question: How can we continue to encourage the sharing of narratives and history been impacted if the Khmer Rouge genocide did not take place?

Image Citation:

The Rwandan Genocide. N.d. N.p.

Works Cited:

"New Exhibit Focusing on the Rwandan Genocide Opens at the University of Denver." N.p., 30 Jan. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2017. <http://www.du.edu/marcomm/media-relations/media-releases/2014/2014-1-30-museum-of-anthropology-opens-rwanda-exhibit.html>.

Schlund-Vials, Cathy J. Minneapolis: n.p., n.d. University of Minneapolis Press. Web. 3 Mar. 2017. <https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/72043/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week%209%20Readings?preview=806609>.