Friday, December 28, 2007

• an email I wrote at 3AM, tokyo.

  dudes:
  
  The Ainu, an ethnic minority concentrated in northern Japan, have a greeting that goes something like, "Let me touch your heart." It's my favorite greeting because it's how I'd like to approach my relationships from now on, to let others change me as well as influence the mindsets of others. So: Let me touch your heart.
  
  I wonder what you've all been up to this season. Have you made any New Year's resolutions? New friends? Lovers? Or have you withdrawn yourself from the world? How has everything changed since I've last seen you?
  
  There has been a lot on my mind. For one, after arriving in Japan, Burma has been in fiery uproar. The human rights situation in Burma has gone to shit. Because of the sudden jack up of fuel prices in September, thousands have gone to the streets to protest. This increase of fuel prices means: no more public transportation and expensive (unaffordable) food staples, such as rice. The average civilian before then already had a lot of trouble obtaining such luxuries that we, citizens of the "free world", take for granted. To protest this dire economic situation (and in marriage its political situation) is downright courageous in a country notorious for brutally silencing dissent, as in 1988. In response to the thousands peacefully protesting, the military government and its sheep imprisons, tortures, and/or murders some of them like intimidated barbarians. Now, according to burmanet.org, the lifeless bodies of dissidents can be counted in the thousands [1]. That fact alone makes me retch. Such disgusting behavior is so sickening I am overcome with irrational anger until I am reminded of the virtues of non-violence taught by heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa, Aung San Suu Kyi, among others.
  
  More abominable, however, is international apathy towards these kinds of situations. So it seems, anyway. It is precisely this that, more than makes me angry, overwhelms me with an inexpressible sorrow. I do not understand how some people can achieve so callous a heart that they are not moved. And this is not to say that Burma is the only one in desperation. There is also Darfur, Tibet, and blood diamonds in Sierra Leone, the Congo, and Namibia, as well as problems of human trafficking, modern day slavery, racism, and gender discrimination, among other tragedies. These are injustices not confined to the countries that suffer them, but issues that affect us the world over. They are international issues. How the fuck do people not understand that? Please email if you need explanation.
  
  Anyhow, the months of September, October, and November was fraught with anxiety every time I heard about Burma. My heart would race. To add insult to injury, I couldn't find the godforsaken Burmese embassy on the day of protest. I wrote letters addressed to them, to no avail. I could've sent dirty underwear to them, too, but I needed them [2]. Knowing this was all I could do made me feel really pathetic. I had wished I was with the Burma Youth Project (BYP) people and US Campaign because they are much more knowledgeable on these matters, and could guide me to what, in my power, I could do.
  
  Some hope remains, though. I just remembered that the new alternative break group to the Thai/Burma border, an awesome program of American University's to see firsthand what goes on inside Burma, are there this very second. I wonder what they are going through after the uprising. Also, BYP members are in India being the inspiring people that they are, spreading peace and doing research. Then, there have been hardcore sanctions. And at least an international awareness is a good thing.
  
  So, this turned out to be a rant. Whoops. I had simply wanted to let  you know how I've been doing and to wish you all a very merry [belated] christmas and happy new year. :) Burma has not been the only thing on my mind. There have been other things I have wanted to touch on, such as my interpretation of Christianity and identity, but I'll reserve that for another day, I think. My being in Japan has for the most part been really fun though for a few weeks in December I settled in a deep depression I hadn't felt for years.
  
  This letter is too long. You have only to ask what these other things have been on my mind are. Don't have much time because I've been indulging in much needed creative outlets, but could you guys please tell me how you're doing and what you've been up to?
  
  Happy Holidays!
  
  love in everything,
  jojo 情嬢
  
  ---
  [1]http://www.burmanet.org/news/2007/10/01/daily-mail-burma-thousands-dead-in-massacre-of-the-monks-dumped-in-the-jungle/
  

  [2]http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2195188, 00.html
  
  ---
  "God pity them that suffer with hunger and with cold--they to whom the world is but dull and leaden toil, whose pleasures are faded memories or unreal tales of things they know not. God pity them and pity us too, if we have no sympathy for them--if we are not willing to dedicate our lives to the lessening of their sorrow, and the uprooting of their poverty and to the broadening of life and living for all human souls. Amen." W.E.B. DuBois

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