My rare input on world affairs

As I sit here awake way past my bedtime, I got the urge to write about something that I don’t normally write about (i.e. ultimate, running, music, or sports). Some of you may be aware of the recent atrocities that have occurred in Burma. Reacting to a steep increase in the price of diesel oil, monks staged a peaceful march, which led to larger-scale pro-democracy protests all over Rangoon and the country. The military government cracked down hard, shooting and killing protesters and conducting mass arrests. Journalists weren’t allowed to report on the situation, and internet access was shut down to prevent leaks of footage, photos, and information.

So why is it Burma that’s making me stray away from normal blogging behavior? There are many other countries that violate human rights. Well, those of you that are closer to me know that my family is actually from Burma. While we are of Chinese descent, my grandparents emigrated from China around the time of the Cultural Revolution, and both my parents were born in Rangoon. Thankfully, most of my extended family has moved to the US by now, although many still go back to visit frequently.

Burma has been under military rule since 1962. Pro-democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest forever. The recent demonstrations and killings were a flashback from the late 80s for me, when mass pro-democracy protests occurred also. Back then, a lot of my family was still living in Rangoon, so every bit of news on the television was watched over and over. I still vividly remember specific scenes of video footage from the evening news. My parents have also told me stories of how horrific the junta treated neighbors, families, and people they knew. Even so, many times various extended family members have talked about how much they miss their lives in Burma - their homes, the food, the beaches, their friends, the culture. In a way, their lives were much easier in Burma than here. But we all knew they couldn’t stay there.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to live in a country like Burma right now. There are so many things I take for granted - things like running on Town Lake or walking along 6th street without the fear of getting arrested or killed. Basic freedoms. I mean, I’m blogging right now! I don’t think people in Burma are allowed to blog. At least not now.

I hope that someday in my middle-aged lifetime the situation in Burma will be improved so that I can safely visit the place where my family grew up. I hope that a democratic environment will be put in place. I hope Aung San Suu Kyi is freed. And I hope it will no longer be a country whose name only pops up in the news when its government does something atrocious. Burma is a beautiful country and a wonderful place to go for vacation or visit. Maybe one day everyone will think of Burma that way. I hope so.

I know this post has been kind of rambling. Just felt like sharing some thoughts, albeit random and tired. Time for bed.