Voice Your Opinion About Cambodia: Honor Your Origin? 
Honor Your Origin?
By Prak Hap FLUS
There are lessons that I have personally learned through my living in US over the last quater of century. The cultural norms, attitude, and socio-economic in Khmer American communities did not change much. Post 1975, there were over 370,000 Khmer refugees resettled in US . My family and I were among them.In addition there were quite a few of people of Cambodia were here before refugee influx. Most of these people do not like to be grouped as refugees. People entitles to their view and opinion. Some say,they were not refugees but immigrants who resettled here by choice. Their perception was rather unique but uninterestingly to US government. In their official eyes we all were refugees.
What is the distinction between the two classification?
Khmer immigrant willingly leaves the country of origin to pursuit betterment of self-economic and livelihood endeavours. Most of them belong to the former Cambodia afluent mover and shaker families. Some were either under sponsorship of US governement some types to enhance educational needs to help Khmer Republic government. Presently half were back in Cambodia. Some utilized family relations and names to vying for jobs in Cambodia government. The attitude is clear they belong to elites.
In contrast, refugee was a person in fear of political persecution or life threatening by government or its agent of such former country of origin. Clearly,the refugee came here because of no alternative but to survive.Most were physically here but their hearts were still in their former birthland. Most of these folks ended up not much further than when they were in Cambodia.They were the masses and used by the ambition of those who seek Cambodia spotlights.The true nature of the refugee was pity and sentimental.They would pick from mouths and plates to help finance those who aimed for political contests.
Why is it such a concern?
In reality, one can’t say cheese is better than milk. Generally immigrant, not just Khmers, self-pride seems to supersede origin national pride not to mention the commonality among themselves. In early 80’s I witnessed such unbearable reaction and division among our fellow Khmers who were fortunate to have left Cambodia before Pol Pot took control of the country. I had opportunities to participate in a number of Khmer organized conventions, but to my amaze there appeared to have two different school of thoughts with an invisible divide. At such occassions, Khmer immigrants tend to look away if Khmer refugees approached them for fellowship.It was sad and disheartened to see that. From experiences, refugees belong to lower stratas and perceived as inferior to immigrants. The prejudice ran high and sense of fellowship was at rift. In fact most refugees were under-educated and from rural Cambodia but possessed genuine interest in birth country. A lot of them were abused but yet regretful to have left land of their heritage.
Other prejudice came from non Khmers.They seemed to anticipate we would soon change names and lifestyle to fit in.I personally have been attacked why did I not change my birth name to a more westerner name? I unapologetically replied with a grin that it was the most lovingly and honorably gift from my parents. After their first glimse of me,that’s what they expected people to know and call me with. It was an honorable badge from my parents. Some of my fellows seem concerned much of other people inability to properly address their names. My point, it was the wish of my parent and I can’t abandon it no matter where I ended up in life.Other point, English was not my choice of tongue but I managed it. Others are human as much as I am thus learn mine the least my name.
Nontheless, I had an opportunity to visit my birth home in 2000, I could smell prejudice all the ways from Airplane tarmac to market places. The treatment was unsual for my own self impression.My sentiment ran deep but disappointed with such subtle divisiveness. I was appalled for the first hour of my landing that I was called immigrant of my own birthland that I dreamt to return to pay respect to my lucky relatives who did not have to flee for their lives as I had. However,I still can’t emphasize with those who seem to think their adopted environment here is much heaven like than their original root. Sadly,that was a buttefly attitude.
Years ago I have learned an eye opening lesson at the convention in New York. By choice I sat and shared table with one of the fifth generation Japanese Americans of Seattle who was so consumed by the theme of the convention” Building Bridge for Asian America”. At luncheon we were more at ease with one another then he said to me admirably that “people from Cambodia appeared to work hard to preserve their heritage in here and I respected that. Early on my people (Japaneses) seemed to hurry to be Americanized but they regretted what affected them during World War II. Now they try to reverse it. My friend no matter how American I’d be but the Whites still asked me where I was from?said he. At first, I was very upset with them but later I recognized it was not their fault but all my parents’ parents’ parents’ parents.”
This in parallel with testimonial reminder from the first Asian woman of Korean heritage ever elected to Florida House of Representatives in early 90’s. She gently advised that she was under the impression that she’s American as much as the next person. In tears she eloquently awaken my spinal cord:” Appear nothing if one shames of own heritage among own natural herd as if other not notice. I apologized to my Korean constituency if I had not been closer to my heritage. I admitted I was not sure anymore until my colleagues at the Capitol asked where I was from with such good English? Folks you understand prejudice and condescendence when you faced one.Therfore do not dry out your root too soon.”
I like to leave this tought with my other fellow Khmer born, I say honor my parents first, may be the rest secondary.
There are lessons that I have personally learned through my living in US over the last quater of century. The cultural norms, attitude, and socio-economic in Khmer American communities did not change much. Post 1975, there were over 370,000 Khmer refugees resettled in US . My family and I were among them.In addition there were quite a few of people of Cambodia were here before refugee influx. Most of these people do not like to be grouped as refugees. People entitles to their view and opinion. Some say,they were not refugees but immigrants who resettled here by choice. Their perception was rather unique but uninterestingly to US government. In their official eyes we all were refugees.
What is the distinction between the two classification?
Khmer immigrant willingly leaves the country of origin to pursuit betterment of self-economic and livelihood endeavours. Most of them belong to the former Cambodia afluent mover and shaker families. Some were either under sponsorship of US governement some types to enhance educational needs to help Khmer Republic government. Presently half were back in Cambodia. Some utilized family relations and names to vying for jobs in Cambodia government. The attitude is clear they belong to elites.
In contrast, refugee was a person in fear of political persecution or life threatening by government or its agent of such former country of origin. Clearly,the refugee came here because of no alternative but to survive.Most were physically here but their hearts were still in their former birthland. Most of these folks ended up not much further than when they were in Cambodia.They were the masses and used by the ambition of those who seek Cambodia spotlights.The true nature of the refugee was pity and sentimental.They would pick from mouths and plates to help finance those who aimed for political contests.
Why is it such a concern?
In reality, one can’t say cheese is better than milk. Generally immigrant, not just Khmers, self-pride seems to supersede origin national pride not to mention the commonality among themselves. In early 80’s I witnessed such unbearable reaction and division among our fellow Khmers who were fortunate to have left Cambodia before Pol Pot took control of the country. I had opportunities to participate in a number of Khmer organized conventions, but to my amaze there appeared to have two different school of thoughts with an invisible divide. At such occassions, Khmer immigrants tend to look away if Khmer refugees approached them for fellowship.It was sad and disheartened to see that. From experiences, refugees belong to lower stratas and perceived as inferior to immigrants. The prejudice ran high and sense of fellowship was at rift. In fact most refugees were under-educated and from rural Cambodia but possessed genuine interest in birth country. A lot of them were abused but yet regretful to have left land of their heritage.
Other prejudice came from non Khmers.They seemed to anticipate we would soon change names and lifestyle to fit in.I personally have been attacked why did I not change my birth name to a more westerner name? I unapologetically replied with a grin that it was the most lovingly and honorably gift from my parents. After their first glimse of me,that’s what they expected people to know and call me with. It was an honorable badge from my parents. Some of my fellows seem concerned much of other people inability to properly address their names. My point, it was the wish of my parent and I can’t abandon it no matter where I ended up in life.Other point, English was not my choice of tongue but I managed it. Others are human as much as I am thus learn mine the least my name.
Nontheless, I had an opportunity to visit my birth home in 2000, I could smell prejudice all the ways from Airplane tarmac to market places. The treatment was unsual for my own self impression.My sentiment ran deep but disappointed with such subtle divisiveness. I was appalled for the first hour of my landing that I was called immigrant of my own birthland that I dreamt to return to pay respect to my lucky relatives who did not have to flee for their lives as I had. However,I still can’t emphasize with those who seem to think their adopted environment here is much heaven like than their original root. Sadly,that was a buttefly attitude.
Years ago I have learned an eye opening lesson at the convention in New York. By choice I sat and shared table with one of the fifth generation Japanese Americans of Seattle who was so consumed by the theme of the convention” Building Bridge for Asian America”. At luncheon we were more at ease with one another then he said to me admirably that “people from Cambodia appeared to work hard to preserve their heritage in here and I respected that. Early on my people (Japaneses) seemed to hurry to be Americanized but they regretted what affected them during World War II. Now they try to reverse it. My friend no matter how American I’d be but the Whites still asked me where I was from?said he. At first, I was very upset with them but later I recognized it was not their fault but all my parents’ parents’ parents’ parents.”
This in parallel with testimonial reminder from the first Asian woman of Korean heritage ever elected to Florida House of Representatives in early 90’s. She gently advised that she was under the impression that she’s American as much as the next person. In tears she eloquently awaken my spinal cord:” Appear nothing if one shames of own heritage among own natural herd as if other not notice. I apologized to my Korean constituency if I had not been closer to my heritage. I admitted I was not sure anymore until my colleagues at the Capitol asked where I was from with such good English? Folks you understand prejudice and condescendence when you faced one.Therfore do not dry out your root too soon.”
I like to leave this tought with my other fellow Khmer born, I say honor my parents first, may be the rest secondary.
SUBMITTED BY: Prak Hap FLUS Saturday, 19 Feb 2005
1 Comments:
SYMDROME X LEADERS
I'm quite not surprised to learn the latest development of political hotwater of Cambodia. Perhaps one of the most accurate descriptions and widely known of the natural-born Cambodian politicians are based on three components: power,money,and party. Anyone to achieve these three objectives would rule the means and needs of entire grip. Soon everythingelse will follow and fall into desired places.
Historically, one can carefully look into it from a dynamic perspective, one can understand how Cambodian leaders behave in such a deceptive, devil-smile,and rubbing hands manners. One can draw the the conclusion to say that thier behaviors are the product of long standing hassle numbling, and struggling environment, in which they have to beat the odds to reach the three objectives. The long hardship endurance and ongoing constant pressure/exposure to given environment have helped to create the nonguilty mindset "to kill or not to kill" another label would be "syndrome X"
It is very scary to have any leader who may have this dreadful episode, "Pol Pot, for example". I would see some of the current Cambodian government leaders might have suffered from this syndrome. The continuation of raping, torturing,killing, and along with impunity of criminal acts (including corruption which can be counted as the act of depriving of resources for the benefit of the community " do no harm") are the basic evidences which are clearly indicated the society is in chaos and noshamful.
Well, any treatment can be used to revive this awful disorder. I would choose one comment made by the respectful women (no need to mention her name)" it takes the whole village to raise a kid" and that is referred to as " it takes the whole country to understand and correct the impact of the leaders' this dreadful behavior.
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