This week Professor Mertha gave a great lecture. He was so entertaining and made the lecture interesting. My knowledge on Cambodia was not great prior to this lecture so I did not know what to expect. Professor Mertha told us about the genocide that took place and how the regime killed different groups of people until it finally turned on its own members. It is crazy to think that about 1/7 of the population was killed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge and most people do not even know that this event took place. Why is it that some events such as this are not well known yet everyone knows about the Holocaust? I think that the information we are exposed to is limiting in many circumstances. I am glad I went to this discussion to learn about the events that took place in Cambodia because it is important to learn about history and the awful events that took place to prevent them from happening again. Professor Mertha also had to investigate this time period and it’s amazing that he compiled all of the information for his book with the help of one of his students. They spoke to many people in China that were there and familiar with the events that took place at the time and were excited to share their stories. I think it is important for us to listen and learn from those that came before us because they have unique experiences to share with the rest of us that help us understand and appreciate the past.