Thursday, October 21, 2010

Rebranding Burma

If you're aware of the situation, you know that Burma is no longer Burma. It's called Myanmar now.

Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is no longer the capital. Nayphyidaw is.

And this morning I learned that we have a new ugly flag:


No longer the red, white, and blue flag that I grew up with and am proud of:

All the old flags will be burnt. My guess is, the government is so anti-American that even having the same colors, albeit having socialist ideals, isn't going to work.

And in a couple of weeks, we will be voting. Some of us, for the first time in our lives. I voted two years ago at the consulate in Kolkata for the new constitution, in my late 20s, after growing up mostly in democratic countries.

Who will win? The government of course. Now that they're all civilians -- emperors in new clothes, with their new flag. They're going to have the country, too, one way or another. No matter what the people say, do, or think let alone the rest of the world. It doesn't matter what I write here or what you comment, tweet, or who you share this with.

Today, we enter into a new era with big brother China watching us and holding our hand. Today I feel that we've lost our sense of our true identity. I don't feel the same way I feel about US or UK elections -- hopeful for new leadership, excited for a better world. As a third culture kid, I've faced many identity crises, but this one, I believe will stay on.

We can only pray now, for a peaceful "transition", albeit eerie, and quiet. Pray for the people that they have the strength to continue on living in the conditions that they do. That their resillience will continue, that their country's re-branding will not effect their culture, rob their souls, or their sweet laughter, and sense of humor.

Posted via email from Yu Yu Din's posterous

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Posted by Yu Yu at 8:13 PM  

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