Cambodia's agony is felt in the Bronx
by amy zimmer / metro new york
NOV 30, 2007
FORDHAM. In Cambodia, Khmer Rouge leaders are being brought to trial
for wiping out nearly 3 million people in the mid-1970s. In the Bronx, Sary
Sophuok plans to watch the hearings on TV.
Sophuok, who moved here through a refugee resettlement program 20
years ago, still has nightmares of the killing fields where she was sent
when she was a teenager.
"I still see army men in the shadows," said Sophuok, 53, through her
niece, Chhaya Chhoum, 29.
Sophouk is among those featured in an oral history exhibit that will
open on Saturday at the Fordham Library. It was created by an organization
of young Southeast Asians who are trying to learn the history their parents
have kept silent.
"The community at large doesn't understand our history, and even the
social services don't understand the specific needs and history of trauma of
the Southeast Asian refugee community," Chhoum said.
The suffering many endured in war-torn Cambodia has eroded their
health, Chhoum said. Many have chronic pain, and diabetes is rampant, but
treatment has to be culturally sensitive. For instance, telling a diabetic
Cambodian not to eat rice recalls their experience of forced starvation.
Chhoum has been in talks with the Montefiore Family Health Center
about expanding its program for Southeast Asians, and Zach Rosen, its
medical director, said he was committed to doing so.
Improving Montefiore's program is critical, Chhoum believes, because
the upcoming trial may be difficult for many refugees.
"Knowing we're prosecuting these five or six people is fine, but is
that going to bring [the victims'] children back or heal their cancers or
stop their nightmares?" Chhoum asked. "For us, justice is about taking care
of the people."
Hard times
CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities conducted surveys in 1997 and 2000
and found more than 65 percent of the Southeast Asian Bronx community is
receiving some form of public assistance and 55 percent unemployment.
by amy zimmer / metro new york
NOV 30, 2007
FORDHAM. In Cambodia, Khmer Rouge leaders are being brought to trial
for wiping out nearly 3 million people in the mid-1970s. In the Bronx, Sary
Sophuok plans to watch the hearings on TV.
Sophuok, who moved here through a refugee resettlement program 20
years ago, still has nightmares of the killing fields where she was sent
when she was a teenager.
"I still see army men in the shadows," said Sophuok, 53, through her
niece, Chhaya Chhoum, 29.
Sophouk is among those featured in an oral history exhibit that will
open on Saturday at the Fordham Library. It was created by an organization
of young Southeast Asians who are trying to learn the history their parents
have kept silent.
"The community at large doesn't understand our history, and even the
social services don't understand the specific needs and history of trauma of
the Southeast Asian refugee community," Chhoum said.
The suffering many endured in war-torn Cambodia has eroded their
health, Chhoum said. Many have chronic pain, and diabetes is rampant, but
treatment has to be culturally sensitive. For instance, telling a diabetic
Cambodian not to eat rice recalls their experience of forced starvation.
Chhoum has been in talks with the Montefiore Family Health Center
about expanding its program for Southeast Asians, and Zach Rosen, its
medical director, said he was committed to doing so.
Improving Montefiore's program is critical, Chhoum believes, because
the upcoming trial may be difficult for many refugees.
"Knowing we're prosecuting these five or six people is fine, but is
that going to bring [the victims'] children back or heal their cancers or
stop their nightmares?" Chhoum asked. "For us, justice is about taking care
of the people."
Hard times
CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities conducted surveys in 1997 and 2000
and found more than 65 percent of the Southeast Asian Bronx community is
receiving some form of public assistance and 55 percent unemployment.
© 2007 Metro. All Rights Reserved.
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