Occasio

Aung San Suu Kyi: "Walk On"

This is a repost from my original post at @U2's blog

This past weekend, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), an opposition party to the ruling junta in Burma (officially known as Myanmar by the government there) won an astonishing 43 out of 45 seats up for grabs in a general election. Suu Kyi herself will now sit in one of the parliamentary seats.

Burmese activists remain hopeful but cautious as the votes still need to be verified by the military-run government. If the Burmese people continue to support the democratic vision of the NLD, Suu Kyi and her party have the potential to gain a majority of seats in parliament in the 2015 election.

U2 have long been supporters of the pro-democracy leader, likening her to Martin Luther King. During the recent 360 tour they honored Suu Kyi by dedicating several songs to her. On their first swing through America, the band offered a prayer by singing “MLK” – “sleep, sleep tonight / and may your dreams be realized” – and then blazing into “Walk On,” a song written about her for the album All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

But an amazing thing happened just before U2 returned to the States for the final leg of their tour (beginning with the fourth leg). Suu Kyi was released from nearly 22 years of captivity and house arrest. U2’s petition became a prayer of thanksgiving by substituting “MLK” with “Scarlet.” Only one word was needed: “Rejoice!” The anthem “Walk On” then became a celebration of peace and justice over and against the military oppression of the Burmese government.

It’s uncertain as to whether the junta will honor the election (they haven’t in the past), but the eyes of the world are now on Burma, and the pressure to become a democratic nation is expansive. In speaking of this “new era,” Suu Kyi reminded her supporters, "What is important is not how many seats we may have won, but that . . . the people participated in the democratic process. We invite all parties who wish to bring peace and prosperity to our country [to work together]."

Past comments on Aung San Suu Kyi from Bono

From 2007
I have a little bit of a relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi. I've met her family and corresponded with her. U2 actually wrote a song - Walk On - for her. I've always followed her progress and that of the Burmese people. She is a study in grace and they are a study in patience.

From 2004
It's hard not to become a monster when you are trying to defeat one. Aung San Suu Kyi is the moral leader of Myanmar, the country more correctly known as Burma. She has been, in effect, under house arrest since 1989.

Suu Kyi is a real hero in an age of phony phone-in celebrity, which hands out that title freely to the most spoiled and under qualified. Her quiet voice of reason makes the world look noisy, mad; it is a low mantra of grace in an age of terror, a reminder of everything we take for granted and just what it can take to get it. Thinking of her, you can't help but use anachronistic language of duty and personal sacrifice.

Here is a clip of "MLK" and "Walk On" from October 25, 2009 in Pasadena, California.

 

 

Here is a clip of "Scarlet" and "Walk On" from July 26, 2011 (after Suu Kyi's release) in Pittsburgh.

 

 

 

08/08/08

Eight is considered a lucky number in China, so today, 08/08/08, is the opening day of the Olympics.

Today, 08/08/08, leaves just 88 days left before the presidential election in November.

But 08/08/08 is significant for another reason, one that I'm not hearing much of anything about. Today is the 20th anniversary of a massive uprising and massacre in Burma. It's known as the "8888 Uprising." On August 8, 1988, one million students, peasants, workers and monks united to overthrow the dictatorship that enslaved them. In response the military regime fired upon and killed an estimated 3,000 civilians over the course of the next month.

The uprising was successful in that one regime was ousted, but unfortunately another one filled the vacuum. In 1990 Aung San Suu Kyi was democratically elected as the new leader of Burma. Her landslide victory was never recognized by the junta and she remains under house arrest to this day.

U2 paid tribute to her cause in the beautiful and inspiring "Walk On." The song reflects on her decision to stay with her people even when she was offered the option of exile. It also honors her commitment to non-violent resistance in the face of brutal military oppression.

For a series of previous posts on Suu Kyi and the situation in Burma see that category link over there on the right labeled "Free Burma!"

Today, 08/08/08, China is the main supporter of the corrupt junta in Burma. Eight certainly was not a lucky number for the Burmese people. Not sure that I'm much interested in watching the Olympics this time around....

Bono comments on Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi

Here are some bytes from or about Bono with regard to the crisis in Burma:

"Rock star Bono praying for people of Myanmar," Sep 26, 2007

Irish rocker and activist Bono said Wednesday he was praying that the peaceful campaign against Myanmar's military junta would finally triumph and expressed concern over the deteriorating situation.

"Bono appeals for prayers for Burma," Sep 27, 2007

Bono said the situation did not belong to the 21st century. The singer, speaking at the London premiere of movie Across the Universe, said he had met and corresponded with Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader of the opposition the National League for Democracy Party.

He said: "I have a little bit of a relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi. I've met her family and corresponded with her. U2 actually wrote a song - Walk On - for her.

"I've always followed her progress and that of the Burmese people."

He added: "She is a study in grace and they are a study in patience."

Bono said everyone should offer their support to the Burmese people.

"Bono Gets Medal for His Work in Africa," Sep 27, 2007

"When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free," said Bono, wearing his trademark sunglasses even at night as he stood just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

"When you are a monk in Burma this very week, barred from entering a temple because of your gospel of peace ... well, then none of us are truly free," he said.

From 2004 in TIME, Aung San Suu Kyi: Unbearable Choices, written by Bono (thanks to Kent Burgess for pointing this one out):

It's hard not to become a monster when you are trying to defeat one. Aung San Suu Kyi is the moral leader of Myanmar, the country more correctly known as Burma. She has been, in effect, under house arrest since 1989.

Suu Kyi is a real hero in an age of phony phone-in celebrity, which hands out that title freely to the most spoiled and underqualified. Her quiet voice of reason makes the world look noisy, mad; it is a low mantra of grace in an age of terror, a reminder of everything we take for granted and just what it can take to get it. Thinking of her, you can't help but use anachronistic language of duty and personal sacrifice.

Bono brings us a good reminder to pray for the Burmese people. See "Can Christians Support Buddhist Monks?" for more on this.

For one week I have just been commenting on the crisis in Burma. I began on October 4, International Bloggers Day for Burma. I'll continue to comment but will also return to issues of the missional church, church and North American culture and, of course, U2 & theology.

Two reflections on Burma from NPR

NPR carried two very helpful features regarding Burma this morning. Each gives a better picture of the crisis and the need for freedom and democracy.

In the first segment, Bridget Welsh discusses three groups who oppose the illegitimate government and gives a brief summary of Aung San Suu Kyi’s involvement and sacrifice. Listen to the audio here.

In the second segment, commentator Hanna Ingber Winn reflects on the recent crackdown after talking with those who have endured it. Listen here.

"Is power all that necessary?"

Aung San Suu Kyi's interview with Ivan Suvanjieff of the Shambala Sun, January 1996. The article was written to an audience of youth.

OFTEN, YOUTH ARE MADE TO FEEL POWERLESS. HOW CAN YOUTH RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN WORTH AND POWER TO EFFECT NONVIOLENT CHANGE?

ASSK: Do the youth really feel powerless? It is probably because they have less of a community feeling. You may feel powerless as one alone, but if you're part of a community, I think you would feel less powerless.

Perhaps the reason they feel powerless is because they feel apart from the rest of the community-that the generation feels apart from other generations. If they could be made to feel a part of humanity in general-not just a part of a generation, an isolated group-they would feel more powerful.

But is power all that is necessary? Is power all that desirable?

That's another question you have to put forth...

IT'S NOT THAT YOUTH FEEL THAT THEY NEED "THE POWER" PER SE...

ASSK: ... they feel helpless ...

.. AND HOW CAN THEY OVERCOME THIS FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS TO AFFECT CHANGE. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC IDEAS?...

ASSK: I've always thought that the best solution for those who feel helpless is for them to help others. I think then they will start feeling less helpless themselves.

Free Bird Towards a Free Burma

By Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

My home...
where I was born and raised
used to be warm and lovely
now filled with darkness and horror.

My family...
whom I had grown with
used to be cheerful and lively
now living with fear and terror.

My friends...
whom I shared my life with
used to be pure and merry
now living with wounded heart.

A free bird...
which is just freed
used to be caged
now flying with an olive branch
for the place it loves.

A free bird towards a Free Burma.

 

Now go watch "Walk On." It'll make a lot more sense. "Unto Thee, Almighty - Thank You..."

In the Quiet Land

By Aung San Suu Kyi

In the Quiet Land, no one can tell
if there's someone who's listening
for secrets they can sell.
The informers are paid in the blood of the land
and no one dares speak what the tyrants won't stand.

In the quiet land of Burma,
no one laughs and no one thinks out loud.
In the quiet land of Burma,
you can hear it in the silence of the crowd

In the Quiet Land, no one can say
when the soldiers are coming
to carry them away.
The Chinese want a road; the French want the oil;
the Thais take the timber; and SLORC takes the spoils...

In the Quiet Land....
In the Quiet Land, no one can hear
what is silenced by murder
and covered up with fear.
But, despite what is forced, freedom's a sound
that liars can't fake and no shouting can drown.

International Bloggers' Day for Burma on the 4th of October

U.S. Envoy Reflects on Burma

As a military government crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Myanmar persists, the most senior U.S. diplomat in the country finds herself in a delicate position. Shari Villarosa talks about her role. Villarosa, the U.S. charge d'affairs in Yangon, speaks with Steve Inskeep.

Listen to this October 4 NPR interview here.

Who Is Aung San Suu Kyi?

View this video from ABC News for a quick overview of Aung San Suu Kyi's struggle against the illegitimate military regime in Burma.