Archaeology of (missing) knowledge

• Main Author: Phann, Sambath
• Language: EN
• Published: California State University, Long Beach 2017
• Subjects: Cultural anthropology|Asian studies|Multicultural Education
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10241595

<p> In this study, I re-tell the life stories of two Khmer high school &ldquo;dropouts,&rdquo; Thom and Kevin. Through the collection and reflection of their life stories, I specifically discovered what led Thom and Kevin to &ldquo;drop out&rdquo; and uncover whether either had planned on pursuing or dreamt of a four-year postsecondary education in high school. Through interviewing, surveying, and participant-produced visual art, I offered glimpses into their everyday experiences and hopes and dreams for their futures. Based on the stories of Thom and Kevin and Khmer stories in the literature, I provided &ldquo;Khmer-up,&rdquo; culturally responsive, and proactive actions to see educational justice for Khmer lives. Issues of invisibility, loneliness, lack of a sense of belonging, personal hardships, challenges in school and community, and their desires for better lives for themselves ricocheted from their stories.</p>