Recently, a crisis caused by a military took place in Myanmar and caught the world’s attention. According to the New York Times, more than 500 lives of peaceful protesters have been taken in the first 63 days from military brutality. 

“It’s very dejected that some of our peers, teachers or people surrounding us still are not aware of this crisis, especially in this high technology generation we live in presently…,” senior Amos Piang said.  “I feel that people need to get more educated on this topic so that people could hear our voice.”      

A pastor from the Indiana Chin Baptist Church, Lal Cung Awi, has strong feelings about the situation in Myanmar. 

“This all started because of one cause. The Military wants to rule the country…,” Awi said.  “This is not the first or second time. It’s the third time that history has repeated itself, which is why so many people have fled to other countries in fear. In my perspective as a pastor,  it’s against God’s will to forcefully rule a country and kill its people for an unreasonable cause.”      

The people of Myanmar voted for democracy in November, but the military is not making this possible. In order to get democracy, they have used several tactics to demonstrate they are against the military coup.

“At the beginning, they used pots and pans. They frequently banged it in the middle of the night or sometimes during daylight to annoy the military,” Piang said.  “On International Women’s Day, they’ve put up their traditional skirts and dresses in the middle of the streets just to show that they’re still willing to fight for their country.”

This crisis has harmed and affected many families from kids to adults, who are struggling to survive in a place where they’re barely able to go out. Knight and Piang believe if everyone works together changes can be made.

“Unity is what brings us together. We are better together, so I think that any time you see something that is unjust. I’d always encourage my students to fight back!” said Principal Brian Knight.

Knight believes democracy is what gives the people the chance to make sure their voice is heard and take part in how their country is functioning. When the government takes that voice from the people, that’s when conflicts start.

Senior Famous Thawng disagrees with how the military is treating its people. Thawng blames the military for the way the country is and believes they should listen to the people.

“If the military had controlled the country peacefully and with (fairness), no conflicts would have started,” Thawng said. “But since their way of ruling the country had killed many innocent civilians and illegally discriminated against their own people, it’s justice (that) they fought back.” 

To support the protestors, people from around the world are starting fundraising, concerts and Civil Disobedience Movements. All the profits will go to Myanmar. SHS is also taking steps on raising awareness and helping the protestors in Myanmar financially.

“We’ve started working with the Southport boys volleyball teams and want to hold a tournament where they’ll invite different teams and all the proceeds from that day will go to Myanmar,“ Knight said. 

People pray and protest in every country for Myanmar to seek guidance from other powerful countries like the United States, Russia and China. Every day there is news of another fallen protestor. 

“With this generation, it’s technological. And even for (Myanmar), it’s advanced now, so the future generation will surely remember this,” Piang said. “Hopefully we’ll  implant on the government and optimistically we’ll have the federalist democracy that we want and thrive for.” 

Knight feels that sometimes one individual could lead to a great amount of change, which is why they must keep fighting and continue to raise awareness.

 “We hope those types of things that we do to help Myanmar will be what will bring the type of change that we want to see in the world, our nation, and around our community,” Knight said.