Local student identifies with quest for Cambodian-American identity

By Jonathan Richmond, Correspondent

UPDATED:   09/21/2014 01:15:17 PM EDT

UMass senior Cullin Lam, in the audience for Merrimack Repertory Theatre's "Year Zero," was dressed with striking similarity to Vuthy, the lead character in Michael Golamco's play about the Cambodian-American experience. Maybe the black plastic rims of his EYEGLASSES didn't have quite the outrageous geek appeal of Vuthy's oversized windows on the world, but wearing glasses and looking intellectual would have made either of them targets for killing by the Khmer Rouge. I had to ask Lam, born in Lowell to Cambodian and Vietnamese parents, if he related to Vuthy.

He said he felt like a mix between Glenn and Vuthy. In the play, Glenn is a successful Chinese-American with a Cambodian girlfriend who ultimately rejects him over cultural differences. Vuthy is a teenager born in Long Beach, California, home to America's largest Cambodian population (Lowell has the second most substantial Cambodian presence). He has trouble identifying with either mainstream American society or his Cambodian roots.

Lam observed that those without identity "had to turn to subcultures like gangs to be accepted. Vuthy has no friends, so he identifies with comic BOOK kids." He added that alternative cultures have their own set of rules that give a sense of social responsibility and belonging.

Talking about, Han, a gang member character in the "Year Zero" cast, he said, "People have a sense of duty even if they know it is morally wrong." Lam never fell for gangs, but found his identity in urban dance.

"I related to the urban culture because I felt it was cool," he said. "I was into hip hop. I do ENJOY dancing."

Lam noted the absence of non-Asians from the "Year Zero" stage and that the one non-Cambodian Asian in the cast doesn't fit in. Telling of his own childhood, Lam says, "My parents did not want us to interact too much with the non-Cambodian or Vietnamese neighbors. My parents did not feel accepted, so they did not want us to risk mixing with other people. I noticed in high school that Cambodian kids would hang out with other Cambodian kids and I thought it was rather odd. I felt like those kids inherited the same insecurities their parents had. Maybe in the subconscious 'same is safe,' but that is a very dangerous idea because if you think that everyone that doesn't look the same as you is a threat you are living in fear, and that is how gangs START."

And that is why Lam relates to the character Glenn, the outsider in the play risking friendships across cultural lines, as does Lam.

Lam says Cambodians should see "Year Zero" because "self-analysis is very difficult for people to do," but the story PRESENTS "a reflection of their own experience." He wants non-Cambodians to see the show also.

"The consensus is that a lot of white people don't understand Cambodians. If people went to see this play and see the root causes of violence, poverty, and disadvantage, they might appreciate the problems the community faces instead of disliking us. We all have to try to LEARN more about our neighbors because we all share this city. We have to reach out and learn and be friends with other people in the community. People should understand we are more alike than different."