KHMERICAN

Web-based media company publishing original content on Khmer America.

[khmerican]

Hello Khmerican, I just want to thank you for reaching out to me today on IG @romany83. I really appreciate your love and support for Khmer community. I admire your work and your supportive for Khmer people. Below is a short brief of my story and my journey of my yoga and spiritual practice. My pride of being Buddhism. "My name is Romany. I was born and raised in Battambang, Cambodia. I came to America when I was 20 years old. I Love my life here and the opportunity it has given me. I am Currently living in Lowell, Massachusetts. Love the Khmer community here very much. I am just a simple girl who loves fitness, health and passion for yoga. Yoga helps me calm my minds and find an inner connection with myself. Yoga practice brings together mind body and spirit and allows me to grow, heal from bitterness of my pass in Cambodia and strengthen in my own way. My goal is help others in anyway I can whether to become fit and healthy or to inspire others through my yoga practice. I am proud to be Cambodian and my practice of Buddhism. I am on a mission to spread love." I hope this is good enough. I hope my story will inspire others to try and do yoga yo become healthy and peaceful within the mind. Thank you for Khmerican. Much love. Romany.

[khmerican]

Why Ferguson matters to me as a Cambodian American...

I grew up as the daughter of Cambodian refugee immigrants. My family was forced to resettle in a poverty stricken area in San Francisco, CA alongside other struggling communities of color, primarily Blacks and Latinos. I see the resiliency in our communities to thrive long after city and state goverments have given up on us. Streets are littered and filthy. Parks are filled with homeless individuals seeking to self medicate their distress thru drugs. Rarely do cops want to step foot in our ghettos, instead I see them drive on through, rarely a kind exchange. And when they do visit my neighborhood, it is only hours after the crime has taken place, similar to Michael Browns' body laying in the street for hours before he was picked up by the Coroner's.

I was in fourth grade at Malcolm X Academy in Bay View Hunter's Point and the memory standing shoulder to shoulder with my fellow peers around the whole perimeter of our cafeteria for 20-30 minutes a day together learning freedom songs, creating signs for our culminating freedom march, and the voices of Black, Brown, and, White children filling our hallways was one of my earliest and impactful and relevant education curriculum to date. Our school embraced our ethnic and racial diversity. 20 years later I am still talking about this to my friends. Even though most of my Cambodian friends were bussed in from the Tenderloin area of San Francisco, it was the learning and appreciation of the diversity and the struggles of economic inequalities between communities of color and Whites that allowed us to co-exist as classmates and as brothers and sisters who's voices carried out the lyrics of "We shall overcome" through our elementary school halls.

To be a person of color is to be non-white and to place myself in solidarity with all Black and Brown communities. Indeed it was stated best in the "Dark Girls" documentary, that if the KKK decided to ride through our cities they would not say, "Spare the Cambodian people because they are not Black." Therefore, I am Cambodian and I do care about Ferguson and what value our society has placed on our Black and Brown bodies. I shouldn't have to be a "dreamer"- a college educated person to be respected as a living, breathing human, with all the rights of being given my day in court before proven guilty. And later if found guilty, I pray for a fair and just sentence that coincides with my offense. I should be able to walk into a store without having to self-police myself and think maybe I shouldn't bc the employees will follow me through the store and think I'm going to steal. And just because a person decides to make the choice of doing so, does that really equate to a consequence of death? The answer is no.

I pray for all of our communities of color because this should not only be a Black and White issue.  The death of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant and countless others affects all of us. I pray that we will be able to grieve the loss of countless victims of trigger happy law enforcement, that our communities are able to heal, and that law enforcement take a concerted effort all around our country to relearn that they have jobs to protect all their residents. It is not our job to "police" the police officers who are supposed to protect our communities. Don't become another deviant group with guns. I hold you to a higher standard. I/We need you to change for the better and to listen to the people's cries and show empathy, this is of critical importance to restore peace.

[khmerican]

Cambodian community celebrating the opening ceremony of a new temple in Jacksonville, Florida Dec 1st, 2013.

[khmerican]

Cambodian community celebrating the opening ceremony of a new temple in Jacksonville, Florida December 1st, 2013.

[khmerican]

I created a blog after my visit to Cambodia.

http://journey2blove.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

It was after this journey where I developed a love for the Cambodian culture. The trip was a graduate school cultural immersion program (which has continued to be an annual trip). The program consists of a group of psychology students/therapists/professors of psychology. Our aim was to learn about the culture, with a particular interest in dialogue surrounding trauma, PTSD, mental health services, domestic violence...etc. It was an eye opening experience.

I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation to express on Cambodian youth living in Long Beach, Ca - it will be focused on developing a platform for youth to express their ideas surrounding ways in which we can improve their well-being by addressing an agreed-upon problem impacting their community. I recently reached out to Phatry, where I hope to begin a dialogue with him on how the mental health professionals, social workers, and educators of today, particularly in Southern California, can help improve the Khmer quality of life and overall well-being.

Once the dissertation is complete I would love to share our findings with your team, if you're interested.

[khmerican]

This is us down at Umass Lowell celebrating Khmer New Year with one of the preformaces being the coconut dance 

[khmerican]

"I cut the grass, take out the trash, and transport the monks around town. I have been volunteering at [Wat Jass] for the past three months."

Lam Kong, 72, Seattle, WA

[khmerican]

The story behind one Cambodian American's tattoo of his parents

by Shawn Chan

In the 1960s, my father was a young playboy in his late 20s from the city who loved riding his motorcycle down the unpaved backroads of the Cambodian countryside. It was there that he saw and fell in love with a young farmer's daughter. After introducing himself to her parents as the son of a well-to-do family, he asked for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Only a few weeks of meeting, they were married in an elaborate wedding at her father's farm. A cow was butchered; pigs and ducks were roasted. All the customary Khmer wedding dishes were prepared to feed the neighboring villagers in attendance. There was singing and dancing till dawn. Sinn Seasimouth's music serenaded them. It was a wedding to remember.

Happiness seemed to be in their destiny, but just 10 years after the photo was taken, with 3 kids and a newborn on the way (me), their beloved country of Cambodia was taken over by Pol Pot's regime, and the citizens were forced into makeshift concentration camps (known today as the Killing Fields). Millions died. I came into the world in the midst of bloodshed, bombs, guns, killings, malaria, starvation, and death. So weak at birth that I was thought to be a stillborn. It wasn't until they heard my faint cries that I was not declared dead on arrival and discarded as human waste, as many babies born that summer of 1975.

The horrors that my family endured in the years spent in the Killing Fields are unspeakable. My father survived the beatings, the torture and starvation to help our family escape to Thailand. He saved us all from certain death, only to pass away before he could enjoy the freedoms that our new country (America) had to offer.

The tattoo is a portrait not only to honor my father but to remind me of a time that history forgot: two lovers celebrating their matrimony, with only thoughts of hope and happiness as they looked into their future together in Cambodia. Little did they know that fate would have a different life for them. I am here to tell their story, and the stories of those from their generation. To honor the millions who lay in nameless graves along the Cambodian countryside. 

We (the children of the Killing Fields) should never forget the sacrifices our parents made. The life and country they were force to leave behind. If we do not teach our kids what it means to have Khmer DNA, so they can teach their kids, then our culture, our history will be lost forever. I will not allow that to happen, as long as I am able to speak, read and write. I will not allow our story to be told by someone else. It is their love that made me, and it is my love for them that cannot let me forget what they have been through.

This is what the tattoo means and why it is important to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msDV5uhyWFk&feature=share&list=UUGve1pjINhfz-MWhG9SMK4g

[khmerican]

Define "Khmerican" Essay Contest

Khmerican is pleased to announce a contest for a free round-trip domestic flight to CambodiaTown in either Long Beach, California or Lowell, Massachusetts. In support of our mission to serve as a next-generation news platform for the Cambodian diaspora, the winner's airfare will be paid for so that he or she may visit sites relevant to Khmer culture and community development. Such destinations include nonprofit organizations, temples, restaurants and others that are significant to the local Khmer American community and facilitate personal/professional growth. The winner will document the trip for publication by Khmerican within two weeks of travel, which must occur before December 31st, 2013 (exact dates and provisional itinerary must be approved before booking).

Write an original essay of no more than 500 words responding to the following prompt: "What does 'Khmerican' mean to you?" Essays may discuss history, culture, politics or any other topic interpreted to be appropriate from a personal or academic perspective, as long as justification and/or examples are given.

Submit it through the form on this page before midnight (Pacific) on April 30th, 2013 along with your name, address, and phone number.

Only one entry per person.

Entrants must meet all eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

Age 18 or older.

Resident of the continental US.

Able to cover all other expenses for duration of the trip, such as lodging and meals.

Will produce and submit at least one photo album (25+ images) and one article (500+ words) reflecting about the trip within two weeks of travel.

Judging

Entries will be assessed by Khmerican based on their originality/depth of thought, clarity of expression, and relevance to the prompt.

Entrants not complying with all contest rules will be disqualified.

The winner (one only) will be notified via email by May 15th; all entries will be published at khmerican.com.

[khmerican]

Transcript: Laura Tevary Mam

By Phatry Derek Pan Khmerican

1) How many times were you sponsored to go to Cambodia in 2012? Specify month and circumstances.

We were sponsored 3 times to go to Cambodia. In February 2011, we went on our very first tour to Cambodia and performed 6 shows in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep. Then later in May of 2012 we were sponsored to go back and shoot more music videos in Cambodia and begin a real Cambodian campaign in partnership with Cellcard and CTN. And finally once more in September we went back to do a mini-concert and meet and greet with our fans in Cambodia. 

I think Cambodia decided to invest in us because they were aware that my heart was set on Cambodia itself. I think many of the Khmer overseas artists have done a tremendous job in representing Cambodians on the international scale by working hard to make a name for themselves in America or France. My words to them are GO GO GO because I'm rooting hard for them and we need international representation. However, for me, my heart has always been in Cambodia and has never left. My goals as a Cambodian American artist are focused solely on bridging the gap between the diaspora and our homeland. It is my greatest hope that others can follow a bridge I am building so that those abroad can come and fall in love with our home in the same way I did and contribute to national growth. For the sole fact that I am absolutely committed to working for the pride of our country, that is why I believe that Cambodia decided to invest in us. It turns out that Cambodian companies share the dreams of the people in that they wish to see Cambodia's markets, including entertainment, grow with pride and love. It is not an easy task, but it is not an impossible one either. 

3) How would you describe your experience as a pop artist and its development in the past year? 

Going from a band in a garage with a bad PA system to a band playing full on concerts in Cambodia has been extremely intense. This year our music videos played all over the entertainment airwaves in Cambodia so now when I walk around Cambodia, there is certainly a lot less anonymity, which it turns out I actually cherished from the anthropological side of me. However, getting a chance to meet young fans with so much hope in their heart, work with Khmer talents that prove everything you know about Cambodia's youth to be wrong, and speak to Cambodian nationals about their dreams for the country whether large or small and how those dreams just so happen to perfectly align with my own, is an experience that has changed my life forever. Everyday is filled with gratitude for the experiences that I have been able to share with my band and my family. My life feels like it turned into an adventure. I never thought that my sense of hope could actually grow no matter how many hard truths I learn about Cambodia's situation. However, I have learned this year that my high hopes for the country match that of the people's high hopes for the country, and there really just isn't a better feeling in the world. 

4) What current projects/news for 2013 are you able to share to our readers?

In 2013, I will releasing a new solo EP in Khmer and English. I am very excited to get that out there as I will be returning a bit to more of my acoustic roots. But don't get me wrong, electric guitar is going to be in my life for the rest of my days. And furthermore, I have a Khmer documentary project in the works that I will soon be releasing information about. This year is definitely going to be a work-hard-play-hard kind of year. 

[khmerican]

Love by Khmerican Photo Contest

According to Merriam-Webster, Love is: 

(1) strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties

(2) attraction based on sexual desire

(3) affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests

So, Khmer America ... what does love mean to you? Better yet, show us by entering our "Love By Khmerican" Photo Contest!

Your photo can show love in the literal sense, in an abstract manner, or in a metaphorical interpretation, whatever you want. But keep it PG-13 - we have a lot of young readers.

To enter the contest (just one):

Instagram a photo of love to @khmerican with the hashtag #lovebykhmerican

Tweet a photo of love to @khmerican with the hashtag #lovebykhmerican

Blog (Tumblr) a photo of love with hashtag #lovebykhmerican

Or submit a photo with name, contact info, and caption to [email protected] or via our Facebook message box.

Official Rules & Regulations

1) One entry per person. All photos submitted must be your original photo.

2) US & Canada residents only.

3) All submitted photos are understood to be property of Khmerican.com.

4) Photo submission begins on February 14th, 2013 at 9:00 AM (ET) and ends February 14th, 2013 at 11:59 PM (ET).

5) All participants have agreed to allow Khmerican to insert the “Khmerican” logo onto submitted photo before album upload.

6) Photos will be judged by Khmerican staff. Winners will be selected based on creativity and originality.

7) Three winners will be announced on February 16th, 2013 at 12 PM (ET) on all social media channels.

8) Winners will have the choice to choose from a select pool of Khmerican merchandise. 

[misscambodia2013-blog]

Hello everyone, ជំរាបសួរ!

Welcome to the official Miss Cambodia 2013 website. It is my honor to represent Cambodiain the upcoming Queen of the Universe Pageant in January 2013. My desire is to bring Cambodia and the richness of our culture into greater public awareness, and I can...

[khmerican]

Follow our first Khmerican managed artist website.

[khmerican]

PHOTO CONTEST: My Khmerican Independence

MY KHMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

SUMMER OF GIVING

INSTRUCTIONS 1) Submit an original photo of what Independence Day means to you. Photo ideas includes, but not limited to: A) you playing with fireworks, 2) you BBQing, 3) you spending time with family and friends, 4) etc. Have fun, be creative. **You must be in the photo 2) Attach the following information in the email or Facebook Inbox submission: A) A one sentence story caption about the photo B) Insert location (ie., Gaswork Parks, Seattle, WA) C) Your full name 3) Email photo and information to [email protected] OR private message to http://facebook.com/khmerican.

3) One entry per person. PRIZES 1st Place

(1) KHMER-I-CAN Vote 2012 Tank Top

(1) KHMER-I-CAN Dream Without Fail T-shirt

(1) CamboFresh T-shirt of choice

(1) Autographed praCh CD: Memoirs of the Invisible Wars

(1) Autographed Enemies of the People movie poster

2nd Place

(1) KHMER-I-CAN T-shirt of choice

(1) Autographed 2nd Language CD: Language Arts

(1) Brand New Book: Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

3rd Place

(1) KHMER-I-CAN t shirt of choice

[khmerican]

Introducing Lidi Chea of Providence

“I think that we should start examining the struggles and shortcomings of our culture and community,” says Lidi Chea, of Providence, Rhode Island. “We can't prosper as a people if we continue to neglect certain stories.” Her list is formidable. It includes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the dichotomy of gender roles, inter-generational barriers, and the ostracization of homosexual and transgender community members. She believes Khmerican can generate dialogue and understanding about these issues.

In fact, as a young girl who was a member of the 1.5 generation, born in Cambodia but raised in America, Chea had little connection to the Cambodian American community, and little desire for any. It seemed patriarchal and extremely conservative, and she mostly saw the negative stereotypes, such as domestic violence, gang involvement, and gambling/alcohol addiction. However, she grew to realize that these behaviors had to be understood as coping mechanisms for both past suffering under the Khmer Rouge regime and ongoing hardships in resettlement as immigrants. "Ultimately, we are just trying to rebuild our community and preserve our traditions and customs in a foreign country with limited assets and capacity,” Chea says. A photographer, Chea joins the Khmerican team hoping to convey the emotions of those she portrays—even changing the perception of Cambodian Americans. She would also like to learn as much as possible and build up the communication among our communities nationwide and overseas. EC

[khmerican]

[khmerican]

Co-founder Phatry Derek Pan talks to The International Examiner in this latest article entitled, "Being Khmerican" by Ana Knauf. Check it out at http://khmr.cn/being-khmerican.

[khmerican]