Occasio

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.

Update on Aung San Suu Kyi

Much has happened in the last few days (but little progress has been made).

• Over the weekend U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari met once with junta leader Gen. Than Shwe and twice with Aung San Suu Kyi.
• As soon as envoy Gambari left Burma the military began arresting hundreds of people again.
• Monasteries have been emptied. The monks have either been arrested or told to leave.
• Here is a report from CNN.

Pray for the monks. Pray for Aung San Suu Kyi. Pray for peace in Burma.

Can Christians support Buddhist monks?

Here's an excerpt from a recent article I published for FPU's "Scholars Speak" feature. It also landed in a couple of local papers. The article is based on my post "Remember Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi."

Cultures are colliding at an unparalleled rate. As the globe continues to shrink via media, Internet and other communications, there is increased awareness of similarities and differences between groups of people. This new understanding can lead to fresh questions, particularly with regard to theology. As a follower of Christ I have witnessed the recent atrocities in Southeast Asia and have been forced to ask, “What is the Christian’s responsibility toward the Buddhist neighbor?” Surely we must do something.

The full article is here.