perspectives

Last night I went to a farewell dinner for a colleague from Kachin State who has been in Mae Sot for the past month to attend a training, but is leaving to return home. I was the only non Burman or Burmese ethnic minority there. By the end of the evening, the conversation had turned, almost inevitably, to politics. The looming election in Burma (set for Nov. 7th) is on everyone's mind here.

I'm used to discussing it; it is common topic of conversation here. Most of the expats in town are doing something Burma related. But it is less common to discuss it with not only Burmese ethnic minorities, but also with nationals that grew up in central Burma, and have a very different perspective than the ethnic minorities that are the predominant Burmese inhabitants of Mae Sot.

A few interesting perspectives soon came to light. One was the willingness to see the possibility of good in the leaders of the junta. One of my friends insisted that when you get so far, there are expectations of what you must do. That set on a certain path, you have little choice where it will lead you to. While many might knowledge that to a certain degree, none from the border could ever view all that has happened there as 'inevitable'. That the crimes committed surely exceeded any expectations that could have been laid; could not be justified by the need to seek riches, or hold on to power.

I think the desperation to see some part of the dictator that is, well, if not good, then not pure evil, is another sentiment that varies between central Burma and the border. On the border, it is more commonly asserted that there is no way forward unless the junta is gone. The more cautiously espoused view is that the only way forward in through the generals - they hold the power, change must come through them, and so perhaps believing that there is something good in them helps people hold onto hope that change is possible.

It is certainly true that they will never leave willingly, unless they leave without fear of reprisal, and with the guarantee of comfortable futures. As disgusting as that sounds, I can also understand the willingness to pass on retribution, if it means being able to put these terrible times in the past. I've never had to think about things this way before. Yet another nebulous gray area where right and wrong are not so clear.

Probably the most shocking opinion came from a friend with whom I have often discussed war, and yet, he said something I had never heard from him before. He said a part of him wishes that war would come. Because, "now everyone suffers. If there is a war, at least then they will suffer too." He asserted that the enemies of the junta die either way. If not by bullets, then in prisons, or from disease, or poverty. A war at least would mean losses on both sides. I was shocked, and rather appalled. But really, how can I say what I would feel if I grew up with death, with a constant enemy, standing with its boot on the throat of my people, my way of life. Who knows how hard my heart might grow; what might seem just or fair or right. I cannot say, and so, I cannot judge. Instead I will acknowledge, and consider, his perspective.