Organizing Asian America

Breaking the Chains of Generational Trauma

February 2, 2024 • By 18MR Staff

Nghiep “Ke” Lam might have just celebrated his last Lunar New Year with his family – along with three other staff members of @asianprisonersc, Peejay, Bun, and Maria – the #APSC4 members.

In a collaboration between 18 Million Rising’s @brendachiart and APSC’s Ke, we highlight Ke’s story about learning how to show affection to his dad and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. APSC4 members have escaped the violence and poverty from the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They have dealt with trauma in the U.S. by falling into a cycle of more violence – resulting in their incarceration. But they’ve also transformed their lives inside. They earned their release.

We must end cycles of violence! APSC4 members’ lives are in limbo; they could be separated from their families any day. Tell Governor Newsom to keep families together and pardon #APSC4: https://bit.ly/pardonAPSC4

Greyscale comic image of Ke’s mother holding Ke as a child, who holds a dog plush. There is a polaroid with a child version of Ke and his dad in the photo. Text reads: Lunar New Year is about family and celebration, but it’s also a time where we see our family’s shared generational trauma. In text bubbles: With my family, there was no physical or emotional affection, especially among the men. And when I was 7, my dad abandoned my mom, brother, and I, so our relationship wasn’t great. At the time, I had never hugged my dad.
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Graphic shows a photo montage of Ke in various events, with different people, all smiling. He’s wearing a cap in most of the photos. The main one, an image of him wearing the black APSC t-shirt and black cap. Another photo of him with APSC4 members Maria, Peejay, and Bun, each holding up a fist. A selfie-style photo of Ke and Bun, laughing broadly. Another photo of Ke decked out in protective gear while on a motorcycle. A group photo of APSC members, staff, volunteers, holding a sign that reads Stop Southeast Asian deportations. A smaller photo of him next to a pile of diapers that would be donated to those in need. Text read: Nghiep “Ke” Lam, Program and Facilities Coordinator. Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC). APSC’s logo is in the top right corner. 18MR’s logo is in the bottom right corner. Graphic shows bright green, deep purple indigo, black, and white colors.

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