By Eric Chuk

The Cambodian Student Society (CSS) hosted a successful culture show on Sunday, March 25th at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. The show was notable for its overall bilingualism and refreshingly creative story line—a modern, Khmer-inflected reinterpretation of the Wizard of Oz, incorporating history, action (martial arts), humor, and romance.

The play format, unusual for CSS, followed five main characters who were mysteriously transported to the Cambodia of yore: Boran, an amiable young man whose as-if Hanuman heroics save a village (paralleling Dorothy’s arrival in Oz); his pet-like companion Ah Touch, often a source of comedic relief; Romdoul, a contemporary/classical dancer; Kunthea, a waifish girl (reminiscent of Oz’s cowardly lion) struggling to learn the Khmer language; and Samouth, a soulful singer mistaken for Sinn Sisamouth. Along the way, they meet other colorful characters: a cryptic old man who tells them to follow the “yellow k’tael road” through the jungle to get back home, cackling witches who the five friends must outmaneuver, and a flirtatious but helpful prince.

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Sinoun Chea seeks to be a source for and a recipient of inspiration relating to the Khmer American community. With a wide range of interests, including technology, art, music, cosmology, and mythology, she hopes her entrepreneurial spirit will carry her forward in someday pursuing all of them.

A web designer by vocation, Chea grew up in Texas and only recently began to realize the personal significance of Cambodian culture: “Growing up, I did not have many role models other than my family to look up to. I think this is one of the reasons why I want to be a part of a bigger picture. I want to help find those role models and connect them to others.”

Of the distinction between Cambodia and America, Chea says, “I think providing a resource with news and stories at a grand scale will be a positive influence in bridging the gap.” As far as other differences, she jokes that not having been to Cambodia herself, “I can only make assumptions when I see the karaoke songs that my parents and their friends play!”

Chea believes that soon, Khmer Americans are going to make a big impact, and she is eager to be a part of the renaissance.

“I’m ready to take some action and share my knowledge, energy, and experiences with young Khmericans,” says Chea. “I want to open people’s eyes and create a profound movement that will expose the diversity, creativity, and achievements of Cambodians.”

Toward that laudable ambition, Sinoun Chea will be our first reporter in the South, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia.

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“I think Cambodian Americans are interested in seeing people who we can relate to succeed in the worlds of politics, entertainment, sports, philanthropy, community outreach, business, and science,” says Seth Sin, an Oregon resident employed in information technology. “They provide a blueprint for how we should conduct ourselves in the public eye and can give us guidance on how we can become a productive and proud part of America while still maintaining our cultural identity.”

Sin believes it is important to make such success stories visible as inspiration for future generations. The relationship between the past and the present, elders and youth, is something he has reflected upon—the emphasis many Cambodian families place on respectful attitudes toward older family members and the high value of education. These were instilled in his own family: “My parents stressed the fact that even though we might live the United States, under the roof of their house was Cambodia, we spoke Cambodian, and their children were Cambodian children.”

Although such a stance might seem contrary to assimilation into life in the United States, Cambodian parents simultaneously set a strong example through their own work ethic in providing for their children, according to Sin; indeed, the virtues of education, determination, and tradition account for Cambodians’ ability to move past the adversities they have faced.

Both Cambodians and Cambodian Americans live with those virtues in mind, but our societies are certainly different, especially the dependability of the justice system and the level of rights of the powerless. “I want the Cambodian-Americans here to be informed of what is going on back in Cambodia,” says Sin. “Most importantly, I want the Cambodian Americans of future generations to never forget our legacy, our contribution to history, and our will to survive despite insurmountable odds.”

Based in Beaverton, Oregon, Seth Sin will be a Khmerican reporter covering lifestyle, culture, and business.

A certified medical assistant majoring in nursing at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Sovannimul Bou dreams of becoming a doctor and returning to Cambodia, where she was born: “I have a goal to one day treat the poor, especially in the countryside, where they have no access, no knowledge of how important health issues are, and hopefully to work with the health system there to make things better.”

Since coming to the United States in 2005, Bou has had some difficulties adjusting to the culture and the academics. Of course, communication was one of the biggest barriers at first. It helps that there is enough of a Cambodian community in Lowell that Bou is often able to use her native language. She truly appreciates the opportunity to pursue higher education and does not take it for granted, since it is even harder to do so in Cambodia.

But that is not the only difference or connection she has noticed between her homeland and America. “I am hoping to positively influence the two worlds by spreading the culture and the language. By doing so, we might be able to change the minds of those who wish to have nothing to do with the Cambodian American community at all—get them to become more active and involved in learning and sharing Cambodian culture,” said Bou.

As part of her work as Khmerican’s second photographer in Lowell, Bou would like to increase recognition of our community’s talents instead of just the past tragedy and hardships many Cambodian families have experienced.

Chan Kay, a peer mentor for freshmen at the University of California, Merced, has had to fight others’ negative perceptions of Cambodians—as being gang members or dropouts. “I have always worked hard to defy these stereotypes and show others that Cambodians are capable of getting an education just like anyone else,” said Kay. “I know there are many other Cambodian Americans out there who do not follow the stereotypes and have made something of themselves.”

Indeed, in his job, Kay is able to act as a role model and advisor for the younger generation, something that was lacking while he was growing up. But things are changing: “I feel that Khmerican is able to provide representation for the Cambodian Americans that are doing some sort of good for themselves and the community, so that the youth are able to find role models that they can relate to.”

He hopes his affiliation with Khmerican allows him to learn more about his own identity as well as keep informed about what other community members are accomplishing. He believes in the importance of publicizing the many forms of that success, whether in activism, entertainment, or academics. As a student himself, Kay balances extracurricular activities and two jobs along with his schoolwork, striving to stay organized and manage his time well.

“Being a Cambodian American, I have a large amount of pride in who I am and for my community,” said Kay.

A native of Fresno, California, Chan Kay will serve as our third community liaison, putting his interpersonal/communication skills to good use.

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE AT http://khmr.cn/pledge-page 

Our story: all of yours

Three decades after first immigrating, Cambodian Americans are stepping into the spotlight not as refugees, but as performers, activists, scholars, and entrepreneurs. There is an increasing number of new-generation “Khmericans” (as we like to call them) who are accomplishing amazing things while building off the advances made by their pioneering elders.

The stories of all our people—young or old, Cambodian or Cambodian American, well-known or not yet—deserve to be told. Yet when news does spread, it’s isolated within certain geographic boundaries or personal networks. Communicating between the different spheres is hard, and the many fragments don’t give a clear sense of the entire vibrant picture. In other words, newsworthy information about our community is often scattered, poorly documented, or not publicized.

Why Khmerican.com?

Engaging the Khmer diaspora and reporting its progress is the reason we exist. For us as national and even international (bicultural) journalists, the domain we cover is broad, and we want our scope to match the flourishing of our multifaceted community. But we intend to innovate, going beyond the news to become a strong resource for anyone who cares about the state of Khmer America. Whether databases of relevant student/professional organizations, a public event calendar, or the hub for sharing media and popular culture, our goal is to offer valuable ways of connecting to information and others.

The Khmerican team consists of many perspectives on Cambodian American life. Despite other obligations and little reward, our spare-time staff members have consciously decided to do something productive toward the greater good. It’s not just willingness or motivation, but delivering results.

Since September 5th, 2011, we have conducted 75+ interviews resulting in 25 published articles, 10 photo essays, and 4 podcasts. We hope these pieces have gotten people to want to know more. In fact, we’ve garnered over 3,300 Facebook friends and 1,300 Twitter followers. There have been a total of 300,000 page views (and counting) of Khmerican.com in more than 50 countries. These numbers illustrate our growth, our influence, and the interest we have generated among our audience through our efforts.

Your contribution

To keep up the momentum, we’re asking for help. Just like any other serious news organization, we need to compensate our staff for their hard work and continue developing the projects we have in mind. Reporting isn’t just writing articles or taking pictures, but a whole process of research, fieldwork, synthesis, editing, and presentation. The more we can fund our photographers and writers, the better we can keep you informed about all the things that make us who we are: from descendants of to survivors of tragedy, and everything in between.

With your support, Khmerican can officially register as a media company. The postal address will symbolically be in Long Beach, right off of America’s first and only “Cambodia Town” neighborhood. But reporting from various locations is what will create the foundation for a truly connected, nationally aware Khmer America. It’s not just a Long Beach phenomenon, or a Lowell one, but a rising unified movement for the betterment of our people everywhere.

By enabling more thorough representation, the Khmerican means proof to the world that our community is worth knowing. Your contribution is a vote of confidence for that sentiment, turning our voices into an anthem.

Other ways to help

We would be glad to get your assistance in various forms. If you can’t make a financial contribution, spread the word through email, Facebook, Twitter or other networks. THANK YOU so much! Som arkun.

For more information, please visit http://khmerican.com or contact Co-Founder Phatry Derek Pan at (206) 599-9444. Please note that donations are not tax deductible.

With respect and appreciation,

Team Khmerican