Lecture Notes: The Story of Cambodian Doughnut Shops in Southern California

Introduction

• Susan Lim's life revolves around her doughnut shop in Orange County, California.
• The shop is a representation of the broader story of Cambodian refugees in the US.
• Doughnut shops became a common business venture for Cambodian refugees.

Susan Lim's Background

• Her family fled Cambodia during the 1970s due to war.
• Lim's mother's story is a source of pride and empowerment for her.
• Lim represents many Cambodian refugee stories of survival and entrepreneurship.

Historical Context

• Cambodia was involved in a civil war influenced by the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
• French colonial rule left a vacuum in Cambodia, leading to power struggles.
• The US conducted bombing campaigns in Cambodia, devastating the land.
• The Khmer Rouge used these conditions to gain support and eventually ruled Cambodia.

Impact of the Khmer Rouge

• The Khmer Rouge regime was brutal, leading to the Cambodian killing fields.
• Educated individuals were targeted; Lim's family survived by pretending to be uneducated farmers.

Escape from Cambodia

• In 1979, Lim's family fled to Thailand, facing a perilous journey.
• They reached a refugee camp in Thailand where they faced further hardships.
• Lim’s family was sponsored by her uncle, Ted Ngoy, to come to the US.

Life in the US

• Lim’s family was among the earliest Cambodian refugees in Southern California.
• They struggled with cultural and language barriers.
• There was significant political opposition to accepting refugees in the US.

Doughnut Shop Business

• Ted Ngoy, Lim’s uncle, was instrumental in teaching his family the doughnut trade.
• The doughnut shop became a path to the American Dream for many Cambodian refugees.
• Pink doughnut boxes, a legacy of Ngoy, became a symbol of Cambodian-owned shops.

The Legacy of Cambodian-Owned Doughnut Shops

• Lim's family eventually owned multiple shops, exemplifying the American Dream.
• Her daughter, Amanda Tang, is interested in continuing the family business.
• The story represents the success and challenges faced by Cambodian refugees.

Contemporary Issues

• The US continues to deport Cambodians due to a memorandum signed with Cambodia.
• Deportations affect Cambodian refugees who have lived in the US for decades.
• Lim wants the legacy of Cambodian doughnut shops to continue and values customer interaction.

Conclusion

• Lim’s story is part of a larger narrative of resilience and adaptation among Cambodian refugees in the US.
• The doughnut shop industry has become a significant cultural symbol for Cambodian identity in Southern California.