Silence could be taken as complacency or consent.

-Dr. Zaw Myint -

Away from home for quite long can make one crave for companionship and fellowship with one's own kind. Living in this adopted country with different values and culture can make one really homesick. It is quite apparent that I'd be missing out on this chance to meet with old friends as well as the chance to make new ones by not going to the gathering in Los Angeles during the Labor Day weekend. I have no one else to blame but myself for deciding not to go there, and to enjoy myself.

Also, I realize that there will be no mention about the oppressive conditions back home because most of us have been taught or trained not to get involved in "politics". The usual homage to the elders, some mention about the relief efforts during the 'Nargis' cyclone disaster, some fun activities such as concerts or karaoke or playing tennis or more gentlemanly golf or sight-seeing and, of course, the shop-till-you-drop thing.

Some of us have been quite vocal about the state of medical education in Burma. They feel that we should be supporting the job of the government without questioning why it has become necessary for us to chip in. Also, without ensuring how the aid would be dispensed to avoid angering the 'authorities'.

The most significant would be what is missing from the gathering. There would be no mention about the root cause of all the troubles that we are facing in our society in Burma. As physicians we all are trained to recognize unusual or pathological conditions (Diagnose), and sometimes find solutions (Treatment) for the conditions. We are now making a very conscious effort to go against this core nature and would remain silent on what ails Burma.

In this gathering, there will be Burmese doctors coming from all over the world but will remain silent on the conditions facing Burma which has become the world's third largest refugee producing country. One can argue that it was meant to be only a reunion of old friends from medical school days; it would do a lot more good for our community if we would just send the cost of this gathering to the starving people of Burma.

Or else, we can consider endorsing the UN Resolution adopted on December 24, 2008 calling for the Myanmar Government to stay within the international communities rather than acting as a rogue nation.

The least we can do is to observe a moment of silence to remember the deaths from Nargis: where tragic deaths were not treated with dignity and suffering of the public was treated with indifference.

If we continue to remain silent, it will be taken by the government as the consent to go ahead with their plan. If we collectively voice our concern, no one single person will be persecuted; otherwise, they would have to harm us all which is very unlikely to happen. The gathering can unanimously voice our concern about the state of the Union of Burma and strongly urge the government to accept the U.N. Resolution and it can be duly recorded.

Some with skeptical mind might say that whatever we do would not matter much. I do want to differ from it. Physicians and dentists are still regarded as thinkers and persons with moral integrity in Burma. We need to show the Burmese public that we do care for them. We do care for the 'the last, the least, and the lost' of Burma---not the high and the mighty few.

There will be news item about the gathering in Mandalay Gazette or New Light Of Myanmar or it would spread through the grapevine. If we are lucky, someone from the Myanmar Embassy might attend. (I heard that the Burmese Permanent Representatives to U.N.,U Kyaw Tint Swe and U Thoung Swe, attended the Burmese gathering at New York to the annoyance of some members ).

How will the people from Burma feel if they read the news of doctors enjoying themselves but not speaking out for the public or just toeing the party line? Maybe, this is what the government would like to have Burmese people feel---helpless and hopeless. We can inadvertently play into the government's hands by remaining silent.

I can only speak for myself: I have fulfilled part of my duty as a husband and father for my family. Before my life ends, I want to take care of my public service as a Burmese citizen though I have become a naturalized American citizen long time ago. In my heart, I am still a Burmese.


With regards,
Zaw Myint M.D.
Concerned Burmese Physicians and Professionals


(Dr. Zaw Myint is an attending Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Northwestern Human Services, Philadelphia and also a founding member of the "Concerned Myanmar Physicians and Professionals". He writes this letter in response to the planned "Burmese Medical and Dental Graduates: Reunion 2009 L.A"


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