My friend Bou Dith Pran died yesterday.
His life was depicted in the film, the Killing Fields. For most Americans, the first and perhaps only time, they heard about the Cambodian genocide was through his story.
I met Bou for the first time when I was 22 years old as a recent college graduate attending the Asian American Journalists Association convention. When I introduced myself to him, he was so excited to meet another Cambodian American journalist that he immediately took me by the hand to introduce me around to his friends. He's a hero in that community and immediately became my best advocate.
I invited him to dinner with my family because he was missing some good Southeast Asian cooking. At dinner my sister bluntly told him that she though her experience during the Pol Pot time was much worse than what was depicted in the movie, the Killing Fields. He looked her squarely in the eye and said that he agreed. And in that look, I recognized that there was an understanding.
He will be missed.
2 comments:
There is so little Cambodian awareness where I am from (Toronto, Canada). It makes me sad that I should hear of Bou Dith Pran's death on your site only by chance.
I am so greatful to you for being the voice of our country and continueing on with the work of Bou Dith Pran. I would like to help in your cause anyway I can. If we don't retell our story, who will do it for us?
P.S. If you ever make it out to Toronto, you and your crew are welcome to stay with my family :)
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