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Why Burma has fallen into the abyss of no return( a viewpoint)
Written By moonshadows on Apr. 12, 2008.
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I'm so sick and tired of Burmese people. Sometimes to the extent that I'm ashamed to admit I'm Burmese. It seems like the country is falling into moral and social decadence. Burma today does not deserve a strong, bold, self sacrificing leader, dedicated to its peace-like Aung San Suu Kyi. I admire the Lady greatly because she,living in Burma, would be much much more aware of the peoples' sickening attitudes but yet she never loses faith in them and keeps plodding on what seems like a seemingly pointless journey to save a sinking boat, all BY HERSELF.
I'm not being presumptuous here by assuming that I am a model citizen. I am not;I never claimed to be but at least I am willing to accept the flaws and faults of my people. That over all the decades Burmese people have been tyrannized by power hungry megalomaniacs. Its just that because of globalization and and an pro-democracy leader like Aung San Suu Kyi, the whole world is made aware of the Junta's terrorizing ways( like its predecessors before) which do not fit into the pattern of justice in today's civilized world. What the world does not know is that this very same cycle of tyranny has been in motion since the dawn of Burma's founding!They get a precious gem of a leader like Bogyoke Aung San and what do they do? The assinine Nay Win and his cronies order the Bogyoke's assasination thereby the only one who could have saved Burma. Bogyoke Aung San and his daughter were the best things that happened to Burma and they failed to see this, blinded by their egos and arrogance and sheer stupidity.
People of all levels and rungs of Burmese society are not doing the best they can. I know a few brave ones are but the majority is letting the Junta hold sway over them. There is widespread corruption, discrimination ( amongst the different races and religions), indifference, subservience and even apathy. People all think in terms of "What's best for me" and most are opportunists-like a pack of hyenas looking for an opening in a herd of gazelles.
Basic values of humanity such as respect for people of different tribes and beliefs are totally disregarded. There is chaos and disunity when the only thing that could actually overthrow this rogue government is the unity and the power of the tribes combined. This unity can only be achieved through the removal of the core Burmese people's disdain for other tribes with different religions and races. Their need to douse their false sense of superiority ( that Burma is the land of the Buddhist Burmese and all others are lesser than second class citizens). This superiority is ill begotten because Burmese people of non Buddhist origin and non-Burman stock such as the Karens, Mons, Chins and Rakhines( etc) have contributed greatly to Burmese culture and the country. They cannot just be sidelined on the basis of difference of tribe or religion because they are as much Burmese as the staunchest Burman Buddhist next to them.
Bogyoke Aung San and Aung San Suu Kyi, father and daughter, both of intellectual pedigree, understood this universal concept and tried to expound it but no one used his faculty of reasoning to see that Unity and application of this Universal Value was the only thing that could keep the country from falling into the dark void it is in today.
Burmese people need to shoulder the responsibility for the country respectively and each and everyone should do what they can to the best of their abilities wherever they may be. And to show courage where needed and to recognize a good leader when they see one and support her and throw caution to the winds in following her lead!
Mike
Written Apr. 12, 2008 / Report /
I think no matter what country someone lives in, if they are in tune with the people and politics of their country, they can easily point out the flaws that have been made too commonplace. Here are some flaws present in my country, America:
Damn, now that I've written those 3 quick items about a dozen more things have popped into my head, but I suppose those are a "good" start. Anybody else care to chime in about what's going wrong in America or their own country?
moonshadows
Written Apr. 12, 2008 / Report /
Thanks for the response!Yeah I'm feeling you here! Some people say the problem starts from the bottom to up( in the sense that it starts from the people) like filling a champagne tower from the bottom...Others say leadership or whatever is at the top is the problem. I think its a compromise of the two. We all need good leadership but in order to get the good leadership, people need to deserve it-to reflect their worthiness to be ruled over with respect.
People need to wake up and replace that void of ignorance...its never a disadvantage to know as much as one can. Like in my country's case it is this mixture or ignorance and the fallacy of supremacy that's led to all this mess...
auburn
Written Apr. 12, 2008 / Report /
An additional thing wrong with America: in a democracy where you can (should) vote and freely express your opinion, many people are not at all aware of political issues. They have opinions, of course, but they do not vote. It breaks my heart to see people in countries around the world who cannot express openly their opinions and not fairly elect someone to represent them. In a nutshell---Americans generally do not take an active political role.
leliathomas
Written Apr. 13, 2008 / Report /
Things aren't all that different now from 50+ years ago. Considering so many believe that it is Americans' increasing disinterest in politics that contributes to societal problems, you'd think we'd see a significant and rather extreme pattern of decreasing voter turnout, but that's not the case. So, one can assume it's not poor voter turnout that's the problem.
To be fair, it's hard for Americans to want to vote when who we have to choose from--often served to us through mainstream media--a set of completely incapable baboons. </rant>
To the topic starter: In a perfect world, what specifically would you have your fellow citizens doing to overcome tyranny? I understand what you're saying here, but just saying they need to follow a leader doesn't get into specifics and wouldn't be all there would be to it. What do you think is truly required for Burma to become freer? What responsibilities need to be shouldered and how would the people go about doing those things? I'm just curious to know.
moonshadows
Written Apr. 13, 2008 / Report /
Hmm those are very good questions. However as I am not a politician, merely a by stander teenager observing the injustice with anger, I am not really sure how to answer that. I think if you want to know more about Burmese politics( in depth) you should check out this very good site for the Burmese, written by a Burmese doctor: http://burmasitmone.wordpress.com/. Thanks for your comment!
cooper
Written Apr. 15, 2008 / Report /
I'm a little confused as to what you are saying? Is it that there are not enough people publicly proclaiming support for Aung San Suu Kyi? I imagine at least from what we hear over in the US that the facing the Junta is a little intimidating for many people, especially people who are not of means.
It is too bad many of the few blogs from Burma are not translated.
RightOn
Written Apr. 15, 2008 / Report /
An additional thing wrong with America: in a democracy where you can (should) vote
1... America is a Representational Republic (a FORM of Democracy but NOT a true Democracy
2... American Citizens are not guaranteed the right to vote by the constitution. More often than not, you vote is nothing more than a litmus test for a more select group to base their actual votes.
auburn
Written Apr. 15, 2008 / Report /
RightOn@ Please tell me more and I'd appreciate links to learn even more, especially about #2 of your comment.
RightOn
Written Apr. 15, 2008 / Report /
Auburn email me and I'll shoot you some stuff on the subject.
moonshadows
Written Apr. 18, 2008 / Report /
Hey Cooper the blog i gave the link to is in ENGLISH...thats why i recommended it. And yes the junta is intimidating but its sad that many of the anti junta, NLD groups in asylum status are embezzling funds and not really channeling the money for the cause of democracy in Burma. Furthermore there are actually means to attack the Junta. There is always the guerrilla warfare that the Karens are carrying out. All they need is more support from the Burmans and the rest of the tribes but they are too focused on their differences to join forces...R u seeing my point?Thanks...
cooper
Written Apr. 18, 2008 / Report /
I understand the blog you gave was in English, I read English, but most are not. Global Voices has a hard time even finding Burmese blogs and have few Burmese bloggers.
Most successful change comes from within, and I imagine if it were as easy it would already be done.
As a U.S. citizen it is hard to make judgments on what those in a place like Burma should and should not do as I have no idea what the repercussions could be, or any in depth knowledge of the tribal differences.
If you are a teenager do you have parents or family? What is their view on this, and what action have they taken?
moonshadows
Written Apr. 19, 2008 / Report /
Of course many of my family members are actively involved in (non-profit) Burmese politics(organizing rallies, blogging, creating awareness etc), doing what they can but I cannot disclose that information here because as you will understand, its dangerous. Junta has spies everywhere.