An unjust law is no law at all

I've been quite reluctant to write about being a Myanmar immigrant not particular in the West but in everywhere especially while the county itself is plunging into political turmoil. I will not able to portrait the truth and complete picture of what it is like being a Myanmar immigrant because I find Myanmar had produced quite significant range of people – conservative, liberal, radical, nationalist, unpatriotic, educated, commoners, egocentric, altruistic, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and above all there are refugees and asylum seekers. One thing in common I have no doubt about it is that we all are at the receiving end of sympathy and curiosity by non-Myanmar people.

There are history of longest civil wars, the transition of democracy beacon in the past few years, and then Rohingya crisis that shone in front of international spotlight. One could possibly position oneself to articulate those stories in order to highlight what is going on in Myanmar, but still the most profound and heartbreaking stories of the citizens are buried under the waves of social media frenzy. On the other contrary, American culture – especially Hollywood and its writers are very good at resurrecting stories, events, and individuals from the past and highlighting them into media. They make people the most memorable and inspiring, and some martyr.

Tonight, I just happened to watch the movie called “The great debaters”. It didn’t disappoint me at all. When you are lost and need a moral and political compass to guide you through the darkest days of our time right now, this movie will provoke you some thoughts about what you’re fighting for.

Here are a few lines that I remember from the movie. “civil disobedience is a moral weapon in the fight for justice.” “An unjust law is no law at all. which means that You and I have the right, actually it’s our duty to resist with violence or civil disobedience. “