posted by Mark Hyman
Those eyes. Those eyes... At Tuol Sleng, before the Khmer Rouge incarcerated, interrrogated, tortured and killed their victims, they took a photograph of them. Each was given a number, then brought to their cells. Their victims were then given one of two accomodations.
Option one: a common room in which each inmate was chained to the wall with a number above them. The entire room - formerly a classroom - would be filled with such unfortunates, just waiting...
Option two: another classroom in which tiny cells - 6"X 4"- were constructed with brick walls, accomodating roughly 25 inmates. Again, they were chained to their cells. The lucky ones had cells next to a window, permitting a view outside where birds could be seen freely living their lives.
With your understanding, I will refrain from describing the rest of what went on there. Here words run dry.
...Those eyes. Tuol Sleng, formerly a school, then a chamber of horrors, is now a museum, a living testament to our capacity for inhumanity. In one floor of the museum, there are photographs of each of the victims. These photos alone reveal the terror. The look. Those eyes. Many were children. All were human - at least prior to entry. Once inside, this photograph was their introduction to dehumanization.
My only response: to renew and reenergize my commitment to be the type of person and teacher that seeks to promote good will among persons, a global perspective and the notion that there is value in every human life.
...I believe those eyes will be watching...
I have been following your experiences and reactions with great interest and admiration. You are witnessing some of the worst things humans can do to each other. You are also witnessing what humans can do for each other through Ahn's work and your efforts.
ReplyDeleteWhat I hear in your reports is an affirmation that you will continue and expand on your efforts to help others. When you return to Tenafly I have no doubt that you will bring messages back that will inspire other students and other adults to join you in becoming givers and caring human beings.
I very much look forward to meeting and talking with you on your return. We will arrange for you to make a presentation at a public board meeting and to tell of your experiences to the community through our Channel 77.
Best regards,
Darrell Lund
Mr. Hyman and the Global Care Unlimited Students,
ReplyDeleteNot only are your hearts in the right place by experiencing what you are in order to try to improve a horrific situation, but you are making this experience available to everyone back home and all over the world. Your postings are intense and eye-opening. Thank you for letting us come along on your journey.
Sincerely,
Rachael Wilkins
Dearest Mark, Michele, Dr. Greenwald and company,
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for taking time out of your busy travel schedule to share your thoughts and experiences with us - and so eloquently!
I could not help but think of all of you as a I read an article in yesterday's New York Times about a new biography by P. Short entitled, "Pol Pot: Anatomy of a Nightmare". In it, the reviewer, W. Grimes, writes, "For lethal speed and destructiveness, the Cambodian experience stands alone and apart." Cambodia was "transformed... almost overnight, into hell on earth... In 3 years under the Khemer Rouge an estimated 1 and a half million people died, out of a total population of only 7 million." He quotes the author: "Individual creativity, initiative, originality were condemned per se. Individual conciousness was systematically demolished."
We may never know or understand what can prompt humans to behave this way. Unfortunately, this deplorable inhumane behavior did not die with Pol Pot in 1998. You saw terror in the eyes of those photos of the past in Tuol Sleg and we see it in photos in the news every day. The only answer is to join together, as a global community, opening our own eyes to examine the past as a vehicle to catapult us into a future of compassion and peace, to see and to celebrate the beauty of the human spirit.
I look forward to reading more about your amazing experiences and wish you all a safe journey.
Ann-Marie
Dear Mark,
ReplyDeleteAs you know Tenafly is officially closed this week, so I thought you may not be getting the usual amounts of comments since many people are away. I came in today to catch up on paperwork and sat down to read about your experiences. Actually, with each passing day of your trip, I am moved more and more beyond words. Although I was born and raised here, as I grew up in this wonderful country, my parents; Holocaust survivors tried their best to reassure me and my siblings , that this sort of horror could never happen again. My parents, despite their experiences were cheerful, optimistic individuals who despite all that happened to them believed in the overall good of humankind. They truly instilled in us the hope for a better tomorrow and they were sure that the lessons of history would be learned well and never to be repeated. It saddens me deeply to learn that this is not so.
I therefore, find the reality of your trip very difficult to comprehend and it hurts to know that our world has still not learned from atrocities of the past. But on another level, I am reassured that there are people out there such as yoursevles who are making a difference and banning together to make changes. I am very proud of all of you for your courage, your commitment and dedication. I hope that when you return, you will share with the staff in Tenafly Schools more about your experiences in Cambodia . I am also so relieved to know that today there are special people in this world who will not tolerate inhumanity . I am particularly proud of all of you and that you chose to spend your winter break making a difference. My parents used to tell me that the world was too silent during World War II and if only someone had stood up and truly cared. Thank you for standing up and truly caring! Your trip has impacted on each and every one of the individual lives you are touching. You give them hope for a better tomorrow and a better future. Please remember this as your trip winds down and you return to the U.S.
Stay safe and well, and continue to have the strength to make a difference.
Best regards from Tenafly, New Jersey!
Sincerely,
Faye Zharnest
T.M.S
It's late so I'll be short. I've been catching up on the blog tonight. What an incredible experience. Thank you Mark for all you do for our students and for the people of Cambodia. You are a wonderful person. I have really enjoyed reading about all of your experiences--it's been very eye opening.
ReplyDeleteDaryl