Sophal Ear: Escaping the Khmer Rouge

http://www.ted.com TED Fellow Sophal Ear shares the compelling story of his family's escape from Cambodia under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. He recounts his mother's cunning and determination to save her children.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Sophal
• Ear
• TEDTalks
• TED
• talks
• Khmer
• Rouge
• Cambodia
• Killing
• Fields
• Vietnam
• War

[ionz75]

If there's one thing I've learned from history, it's that old habits die hard. Science has given many of us standards of living that not long ago a king couldn't even dream of, yet we cling tenaciously to the chains of superstition like a battered wife to her abusive husband.

[SLYGARR]

`The point was he was honoring his mother for her courage and love.Cynicism from the west, how boring.The whole family could have been killed like the million that did not make it.Just to prove what a great story it is I am going to listen again.

[chhuncam]

You are star.

[HipHopGamerEntertain]

this guy is my co worker uncle and im not lying

[adrock212]

Having traveled through Cambodia earlier this year I was very impressed by the warmness I received everywhere I went and was more often than not greeted with a smile. Being aware of the very dark recent history of the nation I was truly inspired by this great example of the ability of the human spirit to triumph through great adversity.

Your mothers determination to save her family is a truly great story and you must be very proud. So sorry to read of her passing.

[FlipDiggers]

Very sorry to read this after watching your video and hearing her story.  Six children and 14 grand children. Her legacy lives on.

[sophalear]

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that on 5 October 2009, my 73 year-old mother, Mrs. Cam Youk Lim, passed away two days after what appeared to have been successful quadruple heart bypass surgery. My mother was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1936 and lived to save six lives during the Killing Fields, with 14 grand children since then, the count is now up to 20 lives. Mother, I miss you so much and I love you. May you rest in peace.

[drwaynewright]

Thanks Sophal for sharing your family's story. What an awesome way to honor your wonderful mother. So touching to see her get a standing ovation.

[DonSatinoCorleone]

Shut Up Whitey Go Fuck Your Best Friend Maybe You'll Teach Him Some Sex Education

[nirvgorilla]

"No Disrespect To Ya Girl Cusz She Khmer and all I Don't Cus Out Other Khmers"

You just proved my point about being corrupt. Hahahah I told you dude. If my best friend does something stupid, I'm going to call him on it or in your language, I'm going to "dis" him. I'm not biased, and I'm not corrupt.

[bajorjor1]

wow talking bout owing your life to your mom 2x