BayonBayou w/Mani - Voice of America

A conversation with Long Beach Councilwoman Suely Saro about being the first Cambodian woman to represent the 6th District, where Cambodians make up the majority of residents, touching on deportation and education challenges faced by Khmer in America, and why finding one’s purpose is crucial to future success.

A conversation with podcaster Randy Kim about the struggle to find his queer identity and Khmer-Vietnamese community, challenging the status quo, and why sharing our Asian American stories will assert our place in the American narrative.

A conversation with intensive-care nurse Mitch (Vannthath) Man about the stress of being a frontline medic during the pandemic, experiencing bullying as a teen, and recollecting his time as an illegal refugee in Thailand before coming to America in 1989.

A conversation with psychiatric social worker Melinda Kuoch about removing the stigma of mental illness, assisting homeless people, and growing up in a Cambodian community bubble in Long Beach.

A conversation with #IAmNotAVirus founder Mike Keo about standing up to COVID-era anti-Asian hate, advocating for Asian Americans studies legislation in Massachusetts, and partnering with different communities to fight racism.

A conversation with U.S. Department of Justice conciliator Knight Sor about hate crimes and hate groups, observing the effects of apartheid on Black South Africans, and reliving his experience in Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge concentration camp.

A conversation with writer Sokunthary Svay about what it means to be Khmer, her experience with microaggression living in New York City, unpacking the model minority myth, and creating a new narrative for the next Khmer generation.

Season 1 on Anti-Asian Hate, Being Cambodian and COVID-19 spotlights seven Khmer Americans as they share their immigration and refugee pasts, racism stories, as well as their roles and contributions to the United States of America.