(just in case you're curious and missed it, click on "something in honor of my beloved country, Malaysia")
Here is how I ended it:
Malaysia, you have molded me into the person I am today.
Your education system, albeit horrifyingly flawed in countless manners, have helped me with languages.
Your people, a wondrous melting pot, has taught me to learn, respect, and accept other cultures and beliefs within and without my country.
Your food, a tease to the eyes, orgasmic to the tastebuds
Your natural beauty, a hidden gem, still remains a mystery to those who those who seek discovery.
Once a strategic location in history, caused many a fight between east and west.
Once a promising country, development on the rise.
But now, you're fifty six in age, looking back on your life thus far, what have you accomplished?
_________
Today, we mark yet another milestone, 58 years, almost at it's Diamond anniversary since it's independence from colonization. Yesterday, and the day before, we linked arms in solidarity, united as one to sit, pray, eat, sing, dance, and, in our own peaceful manner, fight for change, that is #Bersih
. On Day 1, as I scrolled through my Facebook, I saw photos of almost every friend from my generation showing up in their brand spanking new yellow tees, bright smiles, and groups of friends. My Facebook feed is literally crowded in selfies of those who attend and/or some sort of proof of their presence there...
to not pick among the selfie takers, I chose these photo by my cousin instead
However, by evening, things started to slow down. A lot less selfies, but a lot more uploads of what happened during and throughout the day. Maybe batteries were dying or dead, and can be used for later when the emergencies hit. I mean, not everyone has a Power Bank *points at self*, I get it.
Then night comes. A message in my group text. B chimes:"guys, stay the night, it's not done yet." A response out of 20 over individuals, "kudos for staying".
* * *
Day 2 of the rally.
Hmm, oddly little photos by the same people who have either camped out or got up early for Day 2.
As the day got hotter, still photos of & by the same people....
Instead of a sea of yellow, the photos have been replaced by latte art, wines, cheeses, vacations, #longweekend
But wait, what about the yellow tees?
Out of a (Kuala Lumpur) population of 1.67million people, only 300,000 showed up on day 2, which isn't even half...
Facebook is still playing news anchor with newsfeeds of, wait..
Who are wearing the yellow tees? My friends in their late 30s and 40s.
But of course, the ones in the US, more like, New York. Which presents a virtual but spectacular view.
photo of my cousin at night of Day 2.
Stunning, can it be better?
My question this year is (so bare with me on this one):
Malaysia, you have molded me into the person I am today.
Your education system, albeit horrifyingly flawed in countless manners, have helped me with languages.
Your food, a tease to the eyes, orgasmic to the tastebuds
Your people, a wondrous melting pot, has taught me to gather and unite through diversity, and be called minions to oppose something so poisonous to the land.
Your natural beauty, a hidden gem, still remains a mystery to those who those who seek discovery.
Once a strategic location in history, caused many a fight between east and west.
But now, you're almost sixty, yet still struggling to fight for a change that is still lightyears delayed.
You're another day, another year older but in the eyes of the youth, those lattes, wines, cheese platters, or long weekend vacations are way easier than camping out in the sun fighting for change.
So all those chants, for something better, something BERSIH, was just for a day or two?
borrowed from Malaysiakini
____________
I hope to be proven wrong, and that lots of people from my generation still decided that they could enjoy their beverages and foods with their fellow Malaysians, singing, dancing, cheering, and talking on the streets in KL. And that the #instagram worthy photos was a #throwback or something.
Because how can we progress if like a can of soda we fizz out and call it a day after less than 24 hours?
If we, the future of this country, decide to take the back seat and chill out, letting the older generation do the work, then when on Malaysia's 80th birthday, how are we gonna look like?
