A Unique Style of Journalism

As a student living in Bogota, I thought Alma Guillermoprieto's work would mostly be based on what I had already known about Latin America's history. When Mr Tangen recommended this book, I expected the book to be a "review" for me because I had studied Latin American history before at school. I have never been so 

Extradite-hand over a person 

accused of a crime to the jurisdiction

 of the foreign state in which

 the crime was committed

wrong. Not only did the book provide me with extra historical context of Latin America I had not known before, but also it gave me better insight into the everyday lives of those who had directly experienced the events in Bogota, 1989 and Managua, 1990. For example, when Guillermoprieto stated: "This war isn't against the drug trade but against the drug traffickers. The other war has to be won in the United States" (21), I realised that my knowledge of the drug cartels had been superficial and not deep enough.

      First of all, her opening sentence of the book was one of the best opening sentences I have read so far: "Among the few people to have benefitted from the current face-off between the government and the cocaine traffickers are Bogota's windowpane fitters" (3). She was asked to write about one of the most violent scenes which she witnessed firsthand and she is talking about window fitters? You could imagine my confusion. Then, as I read the next sentence, I was marvelled at her intelligent description of the responsibilities of the glaziers. It clearly showed the need for their work due to the frequency of the bomb explosions that shattered the windows. I doubt I'll ever make a choice as stunning as starting an essay about Pablo Escobar and narco-violence with window-fitting. 

drug cartel-criminal organization 
developed with the purpose of 
promoting and controlling 
drug trafficking operations

       The reason I am overemphasizing her opening sentence is that her detached yet clever and humorous style is consistent throughout the book. I respect her for writing about violence with confidence and an appropriate level of humour. Through this style, her purpose was to reveal the real aspect of Latin America that is so difficult to attain in a history book. Her writing has a way of revealing the truth indirectly in an impartial way. It's her ability as a reporter to reserve her personal judgement that I most admired. Also, she risks her life to tell these stories, going where others had gone and were killed, which makes me trust her that she's seen it all. 

Unanswered Questions

The sincere tale of Loung Ung's struggle allowed me to form an intimate connection with her and ultimately Cambodia, yet as I tried to put myself in Ung's shoes, I was left with several questions.

Dissuade- Persuade someone not to
take a particular action

    First, was it right for Ma to send her kids away? Even if she had their best interests at heart would they truly understand that? You might say I am cowardly and immature, but honestly if my mom told me to leave and go far away, I would fight back and never leave her no matter what. Instead, Ung obeys Ma and gets angry with her: "Instead of missing Ma, my blood boils with resentment toward her. Ma doesn't want me around anymore. Pa took care of us and kept us together. Ma cannot do this because she is weak" (123). I am certain that I wouldn't have separated from my mom if I were only eight, even if it was better to do so in order to live.

      Second, how did Loung know that something was wrong with her mother and Geak? You might have probably guessed by now; I am the kind of reader who doubts every detail and thinks about every action of the author. Long Ung states, "Rage erupts in my body. I don't understand the electricity in my body....I have to see ma. I have to go to her" (159). How in the world was she able to connect with Ma and Geak and know that something was wrong? 

      Third, how would things have been different if Ma had survived just two more months? Or if Pa had not been taken away? When Long Ung screams, "Two more months and she would have made it! Why couldn't she hold on for two more months"(214)? I tried to imagine Ma making it to Bat Deng with her kids and how that would have changed Ung's story. 

Dispensable- Able to be
replaced or done without

        But after I asked myself these questions, I realized that I would never be able to put myself in Ung's shoes. It is one thing to read about a violent, oppressive regime from a memoir, but to see it through the eyes of a child is definitely something else. Sure, some of the details of her memoir may be embellished, but it shouldn't be dismissed or judged. Therefore, I would like to thank Loung Ung for sharing her story, even though it must have been hard for her. Two million people were killed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, but Loung Ung was one of the few people who had the ability and courage to share her story, which makes her account all the more valuable.