In the late 18th century in Scotland, a vagabond gained attention with a story of kidnapping, slavery, war, and immersion into native American culture. Peter Williamson became a sensation in the British Isles, but how much of his story was true? In this episode, I explore the bizarre tale of Peter Williamson. I separate fact from fiction and reveal the unlikely aspects of his story that proved to be true.

Music provided by The Conrads

Sound Effects from Pixabay.

Imagine one day waking up and being told to forget everything you had learned in school. Discovering that key industries in the economy had been eliminated. Learning that culture and history had been reset to year zero. And, worst of all learning that you and your friends and family were to be killed or sent to concentration camps.

This is the horrific reality Dr. Sara Pol-Lim was faced with as a young girl in 1970s Cambodia. The regime of the time -- a Marxist inspired junta named the Khmer Rouge created what they viewed as a utopia but the civilized world recognized as a dystopia. What followed was the Cambodian genocide which cost the lives of millions.

But what happens to those who survive such horrors? How do they move forward? How can they carry on and rebuild their loves in the shadow of unimaginable horror?

In her powerful new book "Coming to Terms with Historical Trauma: A Memoir," Sara bravely shares her story. It is a book that is both tragic and inspiring. In this episode, I speak with Sara about her story, her trauma, and what lessons we as a society can learn from such terrible events.

Sara Pol-Lim's book is available from all major retailers including:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Dr. Pol-Lim honors include:

• “Woman of Distinction” Award from Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell in 2015.
• Trail Blazer for Outstanding Leadership by 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrew 2014.
• Outstanding Leadership Award by the United States House of Representatives Congressman Alan Lowenthal 2014.
• 4th District Woman of the Year 2013 by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.
• Woman of Distinction 2012 by the Honorable Roderick Wright of the 25th Senatorial District.
• Hands Across the District Medal from the Assembly Member Warren Furutani 2012
• Outstanding Cambodian Leader given by Cambodian Town 2012.
• Selected as “Grand Marshall of the Cambodian New Year Parade 2011.
• The Gene Lentzner’s “Human Relations” Award 2010 given by the California Conference for Equality and Justice, Long Beach.
• Selected as “Grand Marshall” of the Long Beach Martin Luther King Parade 2010.
• Woman Who Makes a Difference by the Long Beach NAACP 2009.
• Community Leader Award by Mentoring A Touch from Above in 2009.
• Extraordinary Woman Award by Voter Education & Research Action and presenting by Assemblyman Mervyn M. Dymally in 2008.

On the eve of launching a genocidal conflict in 1939, Adolf Hitler is reported to have asked "Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" The event he was referring to was the near decade long systematic destruction of the ethnic Armenian community living in the Ottoman Empire or today's Turkiye.

Hitler was alluding to the old adage 'History is written by the victors.' In essence, you can do the most terrible things but if you come out on top and control the narrative then no one knows or seemingly cares.

A century later, the Armenian genocide hasn't been forgotten though, least of all in the now independent nation of Armenia which borders Turkiye. But Hitler was partially right. History and narratives pertaining to the past aren't always accurate. And today, a rival version of history exists within Turkish society in which there was no genocide.

In this episode, I speak with Prof. Joachim J. Savelsberg author of Knowing About Genocide: Armenian Suffering and Epistemic Struggles. We discuss how trauma and terrible events of the past come to be viewed differently through the prism of society.

Music from Pixabay

Episode Guest: Joachim J. Savelsberg

Joachim J. Savelsberg is Professor of Sociology and Law and Arsham and Charlotte Ohanessian Chair at the University of Minnesota. He is the coauthor of American Memories: Atrocities and the Law and author of Crime and Human Rights: Criminology of Genocide and Atrocities.

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