Aung San Suu Kyi

We arrived in Yangoon, Burma, the day Ang San Suu Kyi was elected to the government. This will be remembered as one of the most important days in Burmese history. After 21 years as a political prisoner, 15 of which she was sentenced to house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi and her political party NDL (national defense league for democracy) have finally gotten a place in the government.

Political life was thrust on her as the daughter of the countries democratic patriarch, in the face of the repressive ruling Military Junta she has been the seed of hope for a brighter future. In 1990 the NLD won 59% of the national vote and 81% of the seats in parliament but the Junta violently denied this right. After a life of non violent political action today April 1, 2012 she was given her seat at the table.

The joy and elation was overwhelming. People on the streets crying and hugging her photo proclaiming ‘we did it’ ‘she did it.’ I walked though streets filled with hope. I fell immensely grateful to have been included in this historic day. Burma is on the edge of a bright futur, I only hope that as the walls between Burma and the world crumble as they soon will that they are able to maintain the purity and innocence I have  come to respect and love.

The worlds press was lined up watching the crowd.

I felt so honored to witness this moment of fundamental change in Burmese history.

The victory of the day was over shadowed by the violence of elections past.

Through it all the Burmese people have faith in their nation.

This is one of the most important political stories of our age. Here is a hollywood snippet about the lady who deserves a place amongst the likes of the Dali Lama and Mother Teresa.

Related articles

• Suu Kyi Scores Spot on Time’s Top 100 List (irrawaddy.org)
• Aung San Suu Kyi re-elected as leader of Burma’s opposition party – The Guardian (guardian.co.uk)
• Myanmar unrest tests iconic status of Suu Kyi (rappler.com)
• Suu Kyi wins opposition reelection (edition.cnn.com)