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Loung Ung

32quotes

Loung Ung: A Survivor's Story of Resilience and Hope


Full Name and Common Aliases


Loung Ung is a Cambodian-American author, human rights activist, and genocide survivor.

Birth and Death Dates


Born in 1966, Loung Ung has written extensively about his experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime that devastated Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. He survives to this day, inspiring millions with his story of resilience.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Loung Ung is a Cambodian-American author and human rights activist. As a survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide, he has dedicated his life to sharing his experiences and advocating for human rights.

Early Life and Background


Growing up in a small village in rural Cambodia, Loung was just nine years old when the Khmer Rouge regime took control of the country. His family was forced into labor camps, where they suffered unimaginable hardships, including starvation, disease, and brutal mistreatment by their captors. Loung's experiences during this time would shape his future as a writer and advocate.

Major Accomplishments


Loung Ung's survival is in itself an extraordinary accomplishment. He has also written two bestselling memoirs: First They Killed My Father (2000) and When Broken Glass Floats (2005). These books chronicle his experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime, providing a searing portrayal of one of the most tragic events of the 20th century.

Notable Works or Actions


Loung's writing has been widely praised for its unflinching portrayal of the horrors he witnessed. First They Killed My Father was adapted into a Netflix original film in 2017, directed by Angelina Jolie. The film and book have sparked conversations about genocide, trauma, and resilience around the world.

Impact and Legacy


Loung Ung's work has had a profound impact on audiences worldwide. His writing has inspired numerous charitable initiatives, including education programs for Cambodian children and advocacy efforts to prevent future genocides. As a human rights activist, he continues to travel the globe sharing his story and advocating for justice.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Loung Ung is widely quoted and remembered for his courage in the face of unimaginable trauma. His writing has given voice to the silenced victims of the Khmer Rouge genocide, ensuring that their stories will not be forgotten. Through his advocacy work, he continues to inspire hope and resilience in people from all walks of life.

As a testament to his enduring impact, Loung Ung's words continue to resonate with those who have suffered similar traumas: "The human spirit is resilient, but it takes time to heal... We can forgive the past, but we must not forget."

Quotes by Loung Ung

They say he has kept his identity a secret to guard against assassins. They say that he liberated us from foreign domination and gave us independence. They tell us Pol Pot makes us work hard because he wants to purify our spirit and help us achieve beyond our potential as farmers. They say he has a round face, full lips, and kind eyes. I wonder if his kind eyes can see us starving.
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They say he has kept his identity a secret to guard against assassins. They say that he liberated us from foreign domination and gave us independence. They tell us Pol Pot makes us work hard because he wants to purify our spirit and help us achieve beyond our potential as farmers. They say he has a round face, full lips, and kind eyes. I wonder if his kind eyes can see us starving.
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The first victims are always the children.
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The first victims are always the children.
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Dear gods, Pa is a very devout Buddhist. Please help my Pa return home. He is not mean and does not like to hurt other people. Help him return and I will do anything you say. I will devote my entire life to you. I will believe you always. If you cannot bring Pa home to us, please make sure they don’t hurt him, or please make sure Pa dies a quick death.
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Dear gods, Pa is a very devout Buddhist. Please help my Pa return home. He is not mean and does not like to hurt other people. Help him return and I will do anything you say. I will devote my entire life to you. I will believe you always. If you cannot bring Pa home to us, please make sure they don’t hurt him, or please make sure Pa dies a quick death.
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The only way to tell if someone is a bodiless witch is by the deep wrinkle lines around her neck. At night when these witches go to sleep their heads separate from their bodies. Dragging their intestines along, they fly around to places where there’s blood and death. The heads fly so fast that no one has ever seen the faces, only their shiny red eyes and sometimes the shadow of their heads and entrails. Once she finds a dead body, the bodiless witch nestles against the corpse all night.
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The only way to tell if someone is a bodiless witch is by the deep wrinkle lines around her neck. At night when these witches go to sleep their heads separate from their bodies. Dragging their intestines along, they fly around to places where there’s blood and death. The heads fly so fast that no one has ever seen the faces, only their shiny red eyes and sometimes the shadow of their heads and entrails. Once she finds a dead body, the bodiless witch nestles against the corpse all night.
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Keav tells me the soldiers claim to love Cambodia and its people very much. I wonder then why they are this mean if they love us so much.
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Keav tells me the soldiers claim to love Cambodia and its people very much. I wonder then why they are this mean if they love us so much.
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Living life to the fullest involves living it with your family.
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Living life to the fullest involves living it with your family.
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In Phnom Penh, it seems that the more money you have, the more stairs you have to climb to your home. Ma.
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In Phnom Penh, it seems that the more money you have, the more stairs you have to climb to your home. Ma.
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Why are they doing this, Pa?” Kim asks. “Because they are destroyers of things.
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Why are they doing this, Pa?” Kim asks. “Because they are destroyers of things.
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From 1975 to 1979 – through execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor – the Khmer Rouge systematically killed an estimated two million Cambodians, almost a fourth of the country’s population.
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From 1975 to 1979 – through execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor – the Khmer Rouge systematically killed an estimated two million Cambodians, almost a fourth of the country’s population.
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Courage is when you dare to be yourself, in whatever ways you want to be – to not be afraid, to just do it.
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Courage is when you dare to be yourself, in whatever ways you want to be – to not be afraid, to just do it.
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