Arn Chorn-Pond: A Global Initiative Program Event

Arn Chorn-Pond, a survivor of the Cambodian Genocide, shared his journey of growing up in Cambodia during the rule of Khmer Rouge, transitioning and understanding American culture and society, and rediscovering traditional Cambodian music. After listening to everything Mr. Pond has experienced and endured, it’s truly inspiring that he was able to convert his traumatic past into a creative passion.

During Mr. Pond’s childhood, he and his family were forced to relocate outside of his city to work in the fields as the Khmer Rouge was pushing for Cambodia to become an agricultural nation. While his siblings and parents were forced to work in the fields, he was fortunate enough to instead play a musical instrument. Every day, he would witness friends and family starving in the fields, being overworked, and witnessing death. While he described quite chilling and grim images of his childhood, he described how repeatedly witnessing such vivid experiences were eventually normalized and seen as everyday life. Listening to Mr. Pond made me contemplate the idea of normalcy and how there are huge contrasts around the world. Growing up in the US, most people view rights such as freedom of speech and access to clean water as normal and expected; however, it’s important to realize that even the most basic human rights aren’t even recognized in many parts of the world.

While Mr. Pond explained that his childhood in Cambodia was arduous and horrifying, he felt his transition period in America was worse. Mr. Pond even said during his talk that he “barely survived the jungle of Cambodia but couldn’t survive the jungle of New Jersey.” The issue he raised was really interesting as America is viewed as the land of the free and a place for opportunities; however, his experience never came close to those ideals. When he arrived in the US, he was placed in a high school despite not knowing any English. Mr. Pond believed this transition was the hardest point in his life as he was dealing with depression and nightmares from Cambodia and being excluded from American society as many viewed him as a foreigner.

It’s incredible that Mr. Pond has now grown from his past and even used his past as a source of passion and energy into creating his life’s work. Mr. Pond hopes to restore traditional music in Cambodia by revitalizing and rebuilding music programs across Cambodia. Arn Chorn-Pond is a wonder. It’s truly awe-inspiring to listen to his personal life and illustrate how he utilized his past to change an entire nation.