Unspeakable Truths: One Family’s Survival from Cambodia’s Killing Fields

Chanda Wolf, who works as Special Assistant to the President and General Counsel for the UMass System Office, will share her story on Friday, September 23, 2022, noon to 1:00 pm—Unspeakable Truths: One Family’s Survival from Cambodia’s Killing Fields.

President Meehan opened the event with a short introduction. The 1984 movie “The Killing Fields” provides historical and political context for Chanda’s story. A synopsis of that movie is listed below:

In 1973, NY Times reporter, Sydney Schanberg is sent to Cambodia, where Dith Pran is set up as Schanberg's interpreter/guide. Over the next few years, the men and their families, become friends. When the US forces pull out, Schanberg is able to get exit visas for Pran's family. Soon, the Khmer Rouge take control, and Schanberg and other western journalists are evacuated. Once in New York, Schanberg and his colleagues attempt to evacuate Pran, as his life is in even more danger from the Khmer Rouge, and so begins Schanberg's 4.5-year campaign to get Pran out of the country. Meanwhile, Cambodia’s bloody '’Year Zero'’ cleansing campaign begins, claiming the lives of approximately two - three million '’undesirable'’ civilians.

Prior to watching the event, please view the film The Killing Fields (1984). It is free on YouTube. Note that the film is a little over 2 hours long. For those unable to watch ahead of the event, there will be a short preview during the presentation.

The learning objectives for this event and all Tell Your Own Story events are the following:

• Demonstrate the importance of telling your own story.
• Improve cultural awareness and understanding.
• Continue to build dialogue and connections between colleagues.