Dara Duong never got a chance to say goodbye to his father.
Dara, founder of the Cambodian Cultural Museum and Killing Fields Memorial, shares his personal story how the Khmer Rouge stole his father away. "I was three years old, my mom told me they took him one night to a meeting, but he never returned," said Dara." I lost my father, which is the most important person in my life, because I didn't get a chance to know and recognize him."
Dara's story resembles many stories I have heard about the Khmer Rouge and their so-called "nightly meetings." I left Cambodia at a tender age of four. I was too little to have memories of my own, too little to know the full extent of my parents' struggle, and their near death escape into safety Just like many young Cambodian-Americans, I was sheltered from the truth. I have heard stories told by family members, by older Khmer adults, but they weren't my own personal members, so they always seemed surreal.
These dream-like stories kept me at a safe distance. However, as I walked into the Cambodian Museum all the stories of my past came rushing at me. They were no longer transparent. They had formulated into something tangible and real. My protection was removed and I had to face the truth.
Dara candidly shared his reason for developing the museum. He said, "I want the Cambodian youth to be grateful for their parents and grandparents' sacrifice to get them to America." Dara described the reasoning behind the layout for the museum. He said,"At the entrance you see Cambodia now, how people live nowadays, then you continue to see Cambodia's rich history, culture, artwork and sculptures."
"We are from a wonderful country that created great things like the Angkor Wat," said Dara. "I want Khmer people, especially the youth, to be proud of their heritage.
In the center of the museum there is a stage where films and documentaries are shown. At the back of the room there is a library where visitors can sit and read about old and current events in Cambodia.
In another section separated by bamboo-like gates, you find the memorial for the victims of the Killing Fields. This was the hardest area for me to enter, because I heard about the "pictures." It was scary and painful to look at the faces of the victims. Their expressions were sullen or blank. Some had a lot of emotion in their
eyes, although they were not allowed to show it on their faces. Many were my age when I left the country, little three to five-year-old boys and girls. Some of the victims were older adults, men, women and teenagers.
As I looked on, I thought about what they must have been thinking when their pictures were snapped. I tried to envision the endless tortures and coercion they faced by the Khmer Rouge. And finally, the march they endured as they walked towards their death. When I could no longer stand their pain, Dara described his
thoughts about the pictures. He said, "I put them up to honor them, we should not be afraid, they are innocent people, they did nothing wrong."
After my visit to the museum, I realized the museum is not only a place to learn and educate ourselves about Cambodia's past, present and future, but it is a place where we, the community, can go to hear, to learn, to truly listen to "their stories." The Khmer Rouge robbed us from family, relatives, and friends.
The genocide stole nearly two million Cambodians. Although they are gone, the Cambodian Museum allows us to remember.
We cannot undo history, but we can learn from our past. We can make sure this kind of tragedy never happens again. It is important for us to continue to share our stories. When we speak as survivors, we are speaking for two million innocent people. We are carrying on their legacy, our legacy.
To visit the Cambodian Cultural Museum and Killing Fields Memorial or Volunteer, go to Building No. 9809, 16th Ave SW (White Center) in Seattle. The main entrance is in the back.
You may contact, Dara Duong, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors,
at (206) 763-8088 or e-mail him at dara@killingfieldsmuseum.com
Community member Bopha Chan is currently attending the University of
Washington to receive a Master's degree in Social Work.
Northwest Asian Weekly - May 22, 2004
Photo by Carol N. Vu for the Northwest Asian Weekly
Dara Duong spent years gathering artifacts in the hopes of one day opening a museum that pays tribute to those who lost their lives in Cambodia’s Killing Fields. Last week, his dream was realized.
‘It can change people’s lives’ |
