Excellent. It's interesting to me how many of us expats with our own unhealed trauma--found ourselves living and working in Cambodia during a time when we believed we could make a difference. For me, subsequent years have been all about healing. I love how you are weaving historical and personal stories to give readers a roadmap to their own healing process.
I have thought of this often, Lisa. It makes perfect sense once you start looking through this lens. I've thought the same of newsrooms and have long wanted to do a study of how many people drawn to truth, justice and frenetic, intense deadlines might be driven by their own adversity.
Thank you for this. I've been thinking so much about Cambodia these days and how the country has continued to operate, and what can happen to us here in the US (what IS happening here).
We are fortunate to have lived there, to witness what a society can look and feel like under a dictator. It's what's allowed me to see the signs and know what's at stake, and yet, there is still some cognitive dissonance: "This can't be happening." A false sense of protection, a buffer to the pain. Here we are. Time to name it.
I’ve saved this since you shared it with me Kate, because I sensed it needed time and my undivided attention. I’m so glad I gave it both.
Thank you for writing it, and for bringing it to me. It’s an incredible piece. It is moving (your words about Khmer Rouge reminded me of the movie ‘The Killing Fields’, which showed cruelty that made the teenage me feel hollowed out, and so I cried to read them), but it is also informative, and ultimately, hopeful.
Monumental essay. Vitally important. Thank you Kate Woodsome.
I'm so glad it's helpful, Michael. Thanks for reading.
Excellent. It's interesting to me how many of us expats with our own unhealed trauma--found ourselves living and working in Cambodia during a time when we believed we could make a difference. For me, subsequent years have been all about healing. I love how you are weaving historical and personal stories to give readers a roadmap to their own healing process.
I have thought of this often, Lisa. It makes perfect sense once you start looking through this lens. I've thought the same of newsrooms and have long wanted to do a study of how many people drawn to truth, justice and frenetic, intense deadlines might be driven by their own adversity.
đŸ’¯!!! Would be an interesting study. I found out the hard way some of my journalistic heroes had their demons…and I sure had some blind spotsđŸ¤£
Thank you for this. I've been thinking so much about Cambodia these days and how the country has continued to operate, and what can happen to us here in the US (what IS happening here).
We are fortunate to have lived there, to witness what a society can look and feel like under a dictator. It's what's allowed me to see the signs and know what's at stake, and yet, there is still some cognitive dissonance: "This can't be happening." A false sense of protection, a buffer to the pain. Here we are. Time to name it.
yes, absolutely. I wish it wasn't true but here we are.
You know 'authenticity' when you feel it. And the reverse is also true.
Thanks for reading. How does this come up for you here, Mary?
Your voice in words rings true.
Outstanding essay! I learned so much about the history and intersections with today.
Beautiful
I’ve saved this since you shared it with me Kate, because I sensed it needed time and my undivided attention. I’m so glad I gave it both.
Thank you for writing it, and for bringing it to me. It’s an incredible piece. It is moving (your words about Khmer Rouge reminded me of the movie ‘The Killing Fields’, which showed cruelty that made the teenage me feel hollowed out, and so I cried to read them), but it is also informative, and ultimately, hopeful.
The world needs more of your insight.
Urgent & important. Great piece!