Proud to be a Burmese

Most of the Burmese living in ASEAN countries faced discrimination. Well, the clocks inside the country stopped for many decades compare to the countries boasted to be Tigers of Asia. To me they are real Tigers that consume the rights of Burmese people by helping the unjust regime of Burma to stay in power forever.

Once upon a time, my passport was thrown back to me by an Immigration officer at Don Maung International airport, in front of curious travelers who even do not need a visa to a country famous for hospitality in South East Asia. Only reason I could think of that time was it was probably due to the bad things done by Burmese Kings to Thai people a few centuries ago. It was more than two decades ago, the time when there were very few Burmese travels out of the country’s self isolation.

Now, there are Millions of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand and Malaysia, and many white collar migrants in tiny island, Singapore. Whether a person is blue collar or white collar worker, being a Burmese Citizen in neighboring countries, means many of them are going to live without their due rights. One of the reasons could be increase competition in crowded labor markets for cheap workers. But, for many of  them once identified as “Myanmar national” exposed all the ways to abuse and extort by corrupt authorities of the many host countries as well as some of  its people.

Most of the ASEAN countries never practice sincere foreign policy for Burmese people. While Chinese’ silent invasion to Burma is unfolding in front of all ASEAN countries, it is not wrong to liken the situation similar to a wounded elephant surrounded by wolves.

While the West absorb few thousands refugees of Burma where some of them enjoy the fundamental human rights, hundred thousands of Burmese living in neighboring  countries are being abused of their rights more or less same as their counterparts living inside Burma. Only difference for migrant workers is their earning power, which may be higher up to ten folds than those who are living inside the country.

No news is good news for a Burmese. All the head line news in last few decades was bad, although some inspire hope for a short period and faded away faster than sunset.

But Burmese people do not lose hope on one person. She is Aung San Suu Kyi. She is also a beacon of hope for fifty five million people living inside the world biggest jail, Burma.

Without the knowledge of the people of free world, Burmese people keep up their resistance quietly. Burmese people find truth, sincerity, and honesty in this lady. Old and young, educated and uneducated, people of all walks of life love her and support her. Their trust, the trust of fifty-five Million souls is with her. People are ready to follow her guidance, and leadership.

She became more than a national hero. Aung San Suu Kyi became global example of peaceful resistance for human rights. President of the US officially stated that “She is my hero” in a statement to media, immediately after her release from house arrest.

Many outsiders may find difficult to understand the psyche of Burmese people. She is a daughter of national hero General Aung San. No sane person in Burma will say any bad thing about General Aung San but praises. I knew about General Aung San not from history books, but from my Grand Mother, and from my parents. On the 19^th July of every year, all Burmese people still remember their assassinated hero General Aung San. To make it short, her father General Aung San is known to all Burmese and ethnic groups of people. All of them have nothing to say about him but all about his sacrifice for the nation.

Being a daughter of such a towering character, she gets the trust of all Burmese people from the day one of her political carrier. Now after more than two decades her status is elevated into a few of World’s respected leaders with great legacy such as Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, and Desmond Tu Tu.

I believe Burma will rise up again under her leadership to prosperity. Burmese people will enjoy the human rights similar to the people of other countries who respect human rights. Burma, famous for poverty and brutal military leaders, is also well known for her democracy icon, and many unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives and who served long term jail sentence.

Please tell me who is your leader?

I can shout loud of her name and immediately everyone know who she is. For that I am proud to be a Burmese.

I am proud to be a Burmese because Burmese people whose eyes and mouth were tightly closed for generations still have courage to support for the truth.

I am proud to be a Burmese because all of us are united behind one leader for our rights in peaceful revolution.

I am proud to be a Burmese because deep inside my heart I am fully aware of the fact that all peace loving, sincere people of global village have great respect on Burmese people.

Sit Mone