November 1, 2002 THE SPECTRUM 5 Pran relates ’s story, promotes peace

Dith Pran, the world-famous sur­ something to keep the peace,” he said. vivor of the Cambodian “” College community reacts of the 1970s, brought his compelling Pran’s presentation was obviously story and message to an appreciative educational and informative for many Providence College audience on Tues­ day, October 22. in the audience. “I heard numerous enthusiastic responses to his talk from Speaking to more than 250 people both Cambodians and non-Cambodi- in Slavin Center ’64 Hall as part of the ans,” Norton said. “One student re­ arts commemoration The Spirit of Cam­ marked on Dith Pran’s ability to speak bodia ... a tribute, Pran recounted how to so many, educating those who knew the usurpation of power by the Khmer nothing of the killing fields while em­ Rouge led to the killing of nearly 2 pathizing with fellow survivors like million Cambodians from 1975-79 .” and recalled his own battle and flight Meanwhile, Dr. Wilesse A. for survival. Comissiong, dean of the Balfour Cen­ Showing extreme sensitivity to ter for Multicultural Affairs and a spe­ world conflicts and dynamics since the cial lecturer in education, said, “One of end of the , the the things that motivated my atten­ New York Times photojournalist called Dith Pran smiles while signing a copy ofthe book ofCambodian memoirs he compiled, Children of dance and the attendance of my stu­ for unity among peoples and an end to Cambodia’s Killing Fields, following his talk in the Slavin Center on October 22. dents was to give the students an violence. opportunity to hear an oral history Pran, whose story was told in the He began by telling the audience The story of Cambodia should con­ from someone who experienced that movie The Killing Fields, was intro­ that Cambodia was a part of Indochina tinue to serve as a lesson for all mankind time in history.” duced by Dr. Ann W. Norton, associ­ and was a French colony until 1953. today, he said. In assigning students in her “Foun­ ate professor of humanities in art history, He progressed to the tension between “We must eliminate all the vio­ dations of Education” class to attend who is the coordinator of The Spirit of South and communist North lence. We must stop this kind of crisis; the lecture, Comissiong said she chal­ Cambodia ... a tribute. Norton said Vietnam, pointed out how Cambodia let’s work together,” Pran said. The lenged them to develop a lesson plan or that since the time Pran escaped into was drawn into the Vietnam War in world needs more caring people, such class activity based on something they in 1979, he has dedicated his 1970, and noted events that eventually as those who took the time to hear him learned from Pran’s presentation. The life to telling all generations the story of contributed to the take­ talk. Most of the world’s conflicts, he students, in turn, will be required to Cambodia’s holocaust. over of his country. stated, are started by a minority—a share that experience with students at “He wants people to know the For example, Pran said that when small group intent on harming the either the elementary, middle school, story and not forget,” Norton said. then-President Richard M. Nixon greater society. The pattern seems to or secondary-age level. brought American troops home from be the same from generation to genera­ “A living historian” “I’m hoping that the message can Vietnam in 1973, the war turned into tion, Pran said. Pran told audience members he continue even into the next genera­ “a local war.” “We’re strong . .. but we have to do was honored to visit the College and tion,” Comissiong stated. He recounted how the Khmer that the large turnout sent a message of Rouge were a jungle people but that, care to him. Describing himself as a over time, they moved into Cambodia’s “one-person crusade” to tell Cambodia’s cities and slowly took control through story, he said he considers himself “a deceit. Eventually, they forced citizens Opening living historian and a messenger.” into the countryside, or the rice fields For the next 50 minutes, he pro­ (Continuedfrom Page 4) that became the “killing fields.” ceeded—with the aid of anecdotes, Pran, who lost more than 50 rela­ different views, I think. Emotional dis­ opinionated perspectives, and the use further exploration and comparative tives during the reign of terror, said turbance and reflection on the Khmer of props such as flags, books, and native studies.” that the Khmer Rouge leadership was Rouge period do occur in Vann Nath’s artifacts—to give an historical account “I was moved by the beauty of the comprised of well-educated people and pieces, but [they] are balanced by scenes of Cambodia both before and after the works and the underlying pathos of the that Cambodia misinterpreted their of memory and future, fantasy and Khmer Rouge takeover, as well as plead paintings and their subject matter and intentions. “We knew they were liberal hope,” she said. for unity and peace. content,” said Rev. Adrian G. Dabash, but we didn’t know they were killers,” Jamieson noted that the diaspora O.P., professor of art and special lec­ he said. artists showing at The Rhode Island turer in philosophy. “The prints and SPECTRUM No regard for freedom Foundation Gallery “disturb and dis­ the puppets and photographs gave me Cambodia, with a population of 8 order in a manner both attracting and an insight into the joy, peace, and The Spectrum, a newspaper for faculty and million people, whom Pran described offsetting. I am reminded of the art of culture of a very wonderful and coura­ staff, is published biweekly during the as traditionally friendly and joyful, was Holocaust survivors, no longer ‘at home’ geous people who have the strength academic year and monthly from June turned “upside down” in a relatively and not yet at peace. Both shows,” and ability to rise above the past and through August by Providence College. It short period of time, he said. concluded Jamieson, “present themes look toward a promising future.” reflects the Publication Center’s support “There were no freedoms. They and historical contexts which predict of campuswide efforts to articulate the [the Khmer Rouge] abolished educa­ College’s mission and goals, and overall tion and anything that existed in our institutional effectiveness. It is also intended system. You become like a robot and to communicate College news and poli­ you do what they command you to Arena concession stands cies, the deeds and accomplishments of do,” said Pran. faculty and staff, and campus happenings In turning his attention to his char­ and events. added to use of PC Card acter in The Killing Fields and how he Editor: Charles C. Joyce, Ext.2714 escaped the fields after four years of E-mail: [email protected] torture and starvation in the forced Another convenience is available to where faculty and staff can receive 10 Computer Layout & Design: labor camps, Pran stressed that he “never faculty, staff, and students through percent discounts on food and bever­ Robert Booth, Associate Director gave up.” He said he was motivated by their PC Card. age purchases; the PC Bookstore; and

Managing Editor: his desire to “bring the real story out” The card now can be used at the at more than 50 beverage and snack Paula L. Keogh, Executive Director and often ate insects and other crea­ concession stands at Schneider Arena machines throughout campus. during the Friars’ men’s and women’s As always, card users must have Consulting Editor: tures, like scorpions, to survive. ample funds in their account to use the Edward J. Caron ’70, Vice President, The fact that so many people, es­ hockey games, according to Gene College Relations and Planning pecially young people, are taken aback Robbins, business analyst in the busi­ card. Cash-to-card machines are lo­ ness services office. Those who pur­ cated on the lower level of the Slavin W riters: by the horror of the movie “shows Dea M. Carcieri ’78, Associate Director care,” pointed out Pran. “Caring is very chase snacks or beverages need only to Center and on the main level of the Brian Hannon ’04G, Graduate Assistant important in your lifetime." give their card to the clerk and the total Phillips Memorial Library. Faculty, will be automatically subtracted from To access back issues of The Spectrum online, Making note of the presence of staff, and students also can add funds go to: http://internal.providence.edu/col- contemporary artist Vann Nath, a sur­ your PC cash card account. to their account at the Office of the lege-relations/spectrum.htm. vivor of the Tuol Sleng prison where The arena concession stands are Bursar in Harkins Hall, Room 400,

For hard-copy issues, call or e-mail the editor thousands of Cambodians were tor­ the latest addition to the locations at where cash and checks are accepted. at the phone number or address listed above. tured and killed, Pran referred to the which members of the College com­ For more information, call Robbins refugees who fled the evil in their home­ munity can use their PC Card to pay at Ext.2767 or e-mail him at land for America and other safe havens. for purchases or services. Other loca­ [email protected]. tions are the Alumni Hall Food Court,