Lecture Notes: Personal Journey of Kasal

Introduction

• Discussion about the journey and experiences of Kasal, a poet and former inmate.
• Themes of exile, identity, struggle, and redemption.

Kasal's Early Life

• Born in a refugee camp in 1980.
• Moved to Southern California in 1981.
• Never knew his father; made bad decisions growing up.

Criminal Conviction and Prison Experience

• Dropped out of school at 16; involved in a gang war.
• Charged and convicted of attempted murder; sentenced to life in prison at 16.
• Spent 14 years in prison; faced solitary confinement.
• Developed an interest in poetry after hearing Marty Williams.

Deportation and Life in Cambodia

• Stripped of permanent resident status; deported to Cambodia in March 2017.
• Cambodia was unfamiliar; felt like a man without a country.
• No return to the U.S.; faced challenges integrating into Cambodian society.

Poetic Journey and Recognition

• Poetry became an outlet for expressing struggles and finding identity.
• Nominated for a global poetry event, representing Cambodia among 204 poets from different countries.
• Poetry inspired by personal struggles, societal issues, and the search for meaning.

Personal Struggles and Reflections

• Experiences with nightmares and memories of prison life.
• Challenges of feeling misunderstood and underappreciated.
• Efforts to teach spoken word to Cambodian street kids; struggled with commitment.

Family and Identity

• Family background of fleeing from the Khmer Rouge; separation from father.
• Reflections on family support and the impact of deportation.
• Mother’s sacrifice and family dynamics.

Philosophical and Spiritual Reflections

• Poetry as a form of healing and advocacy.
• Importance of second chances and the power of the human spirit.
• The role of arts in personal transformation and societal reintegration.

Conclusion

• Kasal's journey highlights themes of resilience, identity, and the search for belonging.
• Continues to strive for personal growth and aims to return home someday.
• The power of poetry and narrative in reshaping one's life path.