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KGA has published many books over the past years. One of our most recent publications was our Zine entitled, "From Movement to Movement". This mainly focused on our identites as a Cambodian/American young womyn and coming from a refugee family. Another book that we had published is called, “A Room of Her Own”. Our members went through a series of writing workshops, to help them with expressing themselves and their writing. This book mainly focuses on their self and identity. Lastly, KGA had published “Her Turn to Talk” which is an anthology of poetry and oral history by and about young Khmer women.
If you would like to purchase any of these book please contact Sophya Chum at Sophya@kgalb.org.
A Room of Her Own $15.00
Her Turn to Talk $15.00
KGA’s T-shirt $15.00
Zine: From Movement to Movement
Color: $5.00
black & white: $4.00
Shipping & Handling $5.00
Here are some poems/passages taken from these books.
It’s Over
By Tiffany Min
A Room of Her Own
This problem is over
Why are still bringing it up?
Its old
Get over it
I’m sick and tired of all your jokes
Can you stop? Its making me choke
I hate to show my fear
But, I’m going to wipe away this hatred
I felt stupid when I didn’t say anything
Scared of your constant bullying
This happened so long ago
This is making me crazy
I never knew high school would be this tough
I’m over it
I don’t care about you anymore
Because I found myself
The Struggle of a Young Khmer Women
By: Sophya Chum
Her Turn to Talk
As I sleep during the day, I wonder to myself what everyone else in the family does. I wonder if they know if I’m asleep of if they worry if I’m still alive. I wonder why I wonder so much… When I wake up they don’t bother to talk or ask me how I’m feeling which to me shows that they don’t care. I eat my food and walk around clueless of why I’m here. I feel this way because I sense the room is filled with hatred, betrayal, and fear of things I’ve done to them. Is it because what I’m doing to them or what they are treating me that makes me so upset and worried? I ask myself over and over, why I’m here. The sound of no sound keeps me feeling lonely and afraid to be alone. I never had anyone to look up to because I was the oldest of them all. I break into tears to see how my brother, sisters and mother see me. How I lost their respect for me because of my selfishness, and disloyalty. I stay silent as they speak among themselves, but hearing their angry voices annoys me. I know I’ve done wrong by putting them through what I go through. They took a risk by letting me stay in the house. I’m older now, yet I still see myself with my baby girl. As I grow into an adult, I suffer the consequences of all the wrong things I’ve done. I’m not saying that it’s wrong to do it, but it was the wrong timing.
As the family leaves the house together, I stay indoor all alone. Silence fills the air until a few minutes later when my baby started crying. Once again I struggle as a daughter, as a sister, and as a mother. Its hard enough having people deal with my problems and me. Now I have to be the best for my baby girl, so I can prove everyone wrong. People see me as irresponsible and careless. Why do I steal my family’s money? Why do I steal their cars, and why do I bring drugs into my life? I asked myself why? Now I know, that there are two paths to choose, it’s just that the one I chose isn’t right. The family comes home later in the evening. They see me sleeping again with the television on. Still, no sound towards me. For that reason I stay silent. Yet looking at my baby, and seeing her pretty dark eyes staring straight at me makes me want to cry, but seeing how uncomfortable we are sleeping on the sofa and not having a room or bed is worse. I ask myself, do I deserve this?
Then the next day arrived, and I was surprised that I wasn’t asleep. Having nothing to do or say again, because I’ve been neglected. I have the urge to find money so I can buy diapers, food, and more. I don’t have a job, so I ask my mom, knowing that she will lecture me for a long period of time. I took the chance. She gave me enough money, but I spent it on other things that are less valuable then my baby girl. The look of hate and anger stirs on my mother’s face, not knowing what she’ll say next. I never knew how to respond and act. She decided to tell me that they (the family) will be moving and it’s a far place from here. I thought to myself, why is she telling me? Then she said, I couldn’t come along. I wasn’t surprised. I told her I didn’t want to come along anyway. But really I was depressed, all this time she’s been there for me and I’ve never been there for her, and my younger brother, and sisters. They have finally decided to leave me behind. I don’t understand. Why am I treated differently? No one is perfect in this world, and I deserve another chance, but once again, they gave me plenty of chances.
Seeing myself this way hurts me because I can’t do anything for myself, but I’ll try for my daughter, the best way possible. Months passed, still laying on the sofa, seeing them pack and leave is painful. I wouldn’t leave so they decided to leave me. Their lives are going to change without me around the house to steal and cause chaos. Hoping they will look back and see me holding my baby and wanting to ask for their forgiveness.