Every so often, global tragedies serve as reminders of the price others pay for democracy and freedoms we enjoy at no expense, for example, the recent news of the brutalization of protesters in Myanmar. Protesters are beaten and killed for exercising their basic right to free speech. They peacefully oppose the brutal military junta currently in place, and in return, the military squashes them for exercising a right we often take for granted.
These protesters are not acting radically; they have simply gathered in large crowds - a rare feat in the region - and expressed their dissatisfaction with their oppressive government. Their demands for democracy and basic freedoms caused the military junta to react with violence. The military is breaking up demonstrations, firing into peaceful crowds and killing without hesitation. This is unacceptable in the 21st century. Human rights must prevail.
The citizens of Myanmar have been striving toward democracy for years. Even though the public elected Aung San Suu Kyi prime minister in 1990, the junta refused to recognize the results and held her in detention, where she remains today. The government effectively silenced the last major protests in 1988, while the international community did little to stop it. We can't let that happen again.
Here in Madison, protests are familiar sights and rarely result in violence or suppression. Who could imagine blood shed on State Street or the Capitol steps without media attention or public outcry? We are fortunate to have the opportunity to speak our voice and the bravery to use it. We must not overlook this treasure. Imagine Madison without its open political atmosphere. It would not be the same place. Don't let Myanmar fail to reach its own potential as a democracy.
It's been said that we don't know what we have until it's gone. Perhaps this applies to freedom of speech. Since we can't afford to lose it ourselves, we need only bear witness to people without it in order to know its value. How fitting it is that our own freedoms allow us to speak up for, and protect, those without them?
Do we not have an obligation to these people? This sort of action has been defeated in Myanmar before, and cannot succeed without international support. They need our aid in order to survive.
The philosophical themes of these events are grand. There are more than human lives at stake here, as if that's not enough of a reason to intervene. If we fail to protect these people, then worldwide democracy fails to fulfill its purpose of protecting the voices of others.
Brian Bisek is a sophomore with an undecided major. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com
