B E T W E E N T WO COUNTRIES: A VOICE FOR E D U C AT I O N WRITTEN BY RACHEL BAUGH, PHOTOS PROVIDED
IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MONDAY, FEB. 1, Myanmar armed forces staged a coup against the government and declared a state of emergency for the nation, shutting off access to the internet and capturing predominant government leaders. The coup came as a result of the country’s national election, with high-level military officials making claims of widespread election fraud and seizing power.
Following the takeover, Myanmar’s citizens erupted in protests, with thousands of people publicly opposing the coup and holding demonstrations daily. To counter protesters, the military imposed a number of restrictions, including curfews and limiting the number of people who can gather together at one time. Opposing forces also responded to protesters with water cannons, rubber bullets and, in some cases, live ammunition. At the time of this story’s publishing, more than 700 people were killed as a result of the conflict, and more than 3,900 people were arrested, charged or sentenced. More than 13,000 miles across the world, Central student Han Seth Lu would check his phone every morning before class, searching for updates on the current situation in Myanmar, his home country. Often, days or weeks would pass between message exchanges with his parents, who fled their home due to conflict in the region. Since February, the early childhood education major juggled continuing his regular coursework with navigating a new role – international advocate for his family and friends back home. “It has been one of those moments where you really think about your ethical standing – do I stay silent for the safety of my family and myself, or do I speak up for what is just, and I have decided to speak,” Han said. The recent coup comes just a decade after the country ended another period of military control. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, spent nearly half a century under strict military junta control, following two coups to overturn election results in 1962 and 1988. “Growing up during the military regime, there are no private institutions or private schools; the only schools are state schools. And the only curriculum in schools is written by the government, so wherever you go in the country, it’s the same thing,” Han said. He remembers having assigned seats from the time he entered kindergarten through high school and most learning only taking place by memorizing and reciting items from a book.
10 OLD NORTH | SPRING 2021