Description

This blog post delves into the Cambodian genocide through the lens of Gregory Stanton's ten stages of genocide, focusing on the second stage, symbolization. The post explores how symbols, like the traditional Cambodian krama scarf, were weaponized by the Khmer Rouge to classify and target individuals for persecution. The author examines how the genocide's legacy continues to impact modern-day Cambodia, highlighting the stories of land rights activist Tep Vanny and sisters Ly Siv Hong and Bo Hong, who were separated during the genocide and reunited decades later. Through these stories, the post explores the complexities of symbolization, its potential for both harm and healing, and the importance of understanding and challenging its misuse in preventing future atrocities. Comparable works include Samantha Power, A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide

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