Sunday, March 1, 2009

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF SUPPRESSION?

In Boleh-land everyone knows the price ,or rather, the price to pay for freedom of speech,expression and dissent, which is intimidation,law suits,criminal charges,physical molestation,pyschological abuse,detention and even the full measure of the I.S.A.

But what is the price for suppression ? It is a glaring question that begs to be answered by those who has turned suppression into a fine art . For surely, the suppressors  among us must be aware of the consequences of their acts or are they in the perpetual state of denial ,not unlike the proverbial ostrich with its head stuck in the sand, thinking that all is fine !

For how long more will our suppresors continue to think ,falsely, that as long as they stick their air heads in, all will be well ? Or perhaps, the more pertinent question should be,for how long more do they think they can get away with that notion ?

Is it wrongful of the rakyat to  exercise their rights as rightful and righteous citizens to question and to expect more  accountability from the government  they have elected, and to express their concern about the mismanagement of country ? 

Will the absence of dissent eliminates what ills our nation?  Will  a doctor be able to cure his sick patient without the disclosure of the patient's symptoms and prognosis ? 

When we feel unwell, when something feels not right within us, is it not healthier to address the symptoms rather than to ignore it and think that everything is well when it is not, when something is actually festering  within  !?!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Ocho-Onda,

Very well put. Indeed, you think as a civic-conscious patriotic citizen. Most tragically, while I hear where you are coming from, agree with you and support your view, someone from the other camp would view us with much disdain and might even say, "It's a matter of perspective."

We look at the bigger picture of things. They look at THEIR world and sadly, mini characters like us matter not. If we do, it is to work their wheel of schemes and means to attain their objectives.

We view it as mismanagement. They view it as rebellion or unwillingness to submit or being disloyal.

While we may say, we need to voice our concerns, they might say, "It is none of my concern. Just listen and do what we say."

That seems to be the way things are going at the moment...so the rest of us will have to pay a very heavy price for suppression - be it on our mental, emotional,physical, social or financial health, it is clear. Something has to go.

We know what or who has to go. Problem is - they don't want to go and certain forces are preventing their exit as well - food for thought.

In the mean time, more 'lumps' or cysts of discontent fester and turn 'malignant'...sigh...

So sorry to write such a fatalistic comment but it is so disheartening...Many thought March 8th would bring a new dawn; instead, it seems to be a new nightmare....

Anyway, thanks for such a thought provoking post...

Have a good week!

Take care and God be with you in all you do.

Cheers

ocho-onda said...

I wonder how much do cultural norms and the psyche of a people play in determining the way a people behave, the way certain parents raise their children never to question or talk back at them ?
That is perfectly acceptable, I supposed, as long as the parents fulfill their roles as responsible parents to manage the family well to look after the interests and well being of the family like all good parents do.
The problem only arises when the parents who have become irresponsible and negligent in their duties, who do not fulfill their moral obligations as good parents should, expect their children to return the same moral obligation,expected from good children to good parents - even when the children are already fully grown, and able to discern between right and wrong and good and bad !
So, the children face a moral dilemma - to question and to correct the faults of their parents who have wronged or to remain silent rather than to appear disobedient or unfilial.
So,like the well mannered,kind and polite children they are supposed to be, they endure in silence until one fine day when they explode and go berserk !?!

Unknown said...

Dear Ocho-Onda,

Thanks for your thought provoking response.

*sigh* I wrote a lengthy response, clicked post comment and then happily clicked Older Post and then only realized I had two more steps to go ...:( so I lost the comment again :(. This is what happens to old ladies like moi. But I will try to recap...

In a nutshell, I believe it is due to socialization or the lack of it by the family, school (edu system has already gone awry in its aims and syllabus), media and secularization.

Parents farm out their responsibilities and the new generation is also exposed to a "I don't give a d***' about the world philosophy.

At the same time, some are brought up in a very traditional environment, grow up in a docile manner, thrive in passivity and then rot in denial thinking that as long as they keep quiet, everything will be ok.

So how and where did suppression begin? It is an interesting field for research!!! Food for thought. I have been thinking about it and I would not be at all surprised if subliminal messages have a part to play...

A look at the Dayak Community and how they lost their land and have become victims of their suppressed voices can tell us what happens when one remains silent.

Check out this post which I put up yesterday DAYAKS - ARISE, UNITE AND CLAIM BACK YOUR LAND which is written by my friend. I sent it to MT and it is featured in the letters section.

Suppression is a deadly malaise. I am quite timid compared to many others and even then, I get a lot of flak from those who choose to remain quiet. Such is life here....

Take care...

Blessings to you and yours.