I was born in America but my parents and ancestors were born in Cambodia and Vietnam. They have endured things I could not possibly imagine going through. 

My dad’s side of the family and the people of Cambodia experienced the brute violence of the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian Genocide. The Khmer Rouge was the militia under the Marxist leader Pol Pot. Who’s regime caused 1.7 to 2.2 million deaths of his own people. 

The communist group had been trying to get hold since the 1930s but it all came into place when they claimed to “fight for Prince Norodom” gaining the trust of the rest of the population. However, they overthrew the prince and came into power. With swift action and deception, the Khmer Rouge were in control.

The US bombed the countrysides of Cambodia and they used this as an excuse for their politics. They invaded the city of Phnom Penh and tricked the people of the city into evacuating. Little did the people know they were walking into a life of death and fear.

Anyone who lived in the city had an education, or worked for the government was seen as an enemy and was executed. My grandfather, who was a military leader, was killed during Pol Pot’s regime. My family had to hide anything that would hint at their class or education to avoid being killed. Things didn’t get any better after that. They were forced into extensive labor and starved into the brink of death. Many people died from overwork, starvation, torture, and executions. 

The people of Cambodia were told that they meant nothing as individuals, to “destroy them is no loss.” They were taught that they were insignificant. “According to Angka Loeu, each person should aspire to be like a grain of rice in a huge bowl - no different from any other grain and insignificant by itself.”(90) Those who obeyed and made no threat to “Angka” were favored as leaders. The Khmer Rouge made sure to get rid of anyone who could start a revolution or had the knowledge to. The children were put into programs to re-educate them to reform to this new system. Young minds are mold-able like clay, they were the main targets. A “brighter future” promised to the people, but never made. 

The Khmer rouge’s regime ended when the Vietnamese overthrew them giving the Cambodian people the chance to escape to refugee camps in Thailand. Many of them died trying to get to them though. Those who did survive immigrated to American with sponsors like my family.