
Shadows In The Sun - The Cambodian Genocide
In 1979, a refugee crisis involving half a million people was developing on the Cambodian-Thailand border as a result of one of the worst cases of genocide in the 20th century aggravated by the decades-long Vietnam War. Photographer Richard Olsenius and writer Lewis Cope traveled to the war torn region to cover the story for the Minneapolis Tribune newspaper. In 1980 Olsenius was recognized with a 1st Place World Press Photo Award for his coverage of this conflict. This series of images and text is a retrospective of his work and his memories from that life changing experience. UPDATE: 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Cambodian genocide and the death of 2-3 million people at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. It stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism, a threat that is increasing in nations around the world, including the United States. There is much to learn about tyranny from Cambodia’s experience with the Khmer Rouge.
