gaining independence

53 years ago, my tanah air gained independence. Freedom from colonisation. Freedom from oppression. Freedom to rule our own country.

Now, as I sit here 15,000 km from the country I call home, I am saddened. This year's Merdeka day, in all its meaningfulness, in all its gloriousness, seems like a tarnished dream.

I read about the principal who criticised and served up horrible helpings of racism, at a secondary school's Pre-Merdeka celebration no less. About teens being beaten up the night before Merdeka due to the colour of their skin. Of churches being arsoned. Of temples being defiled.

It is indeed a sad sad time for us. For the very things that we so bravely fought against has come back to haunt us. Now we are colonised by our narrow-mindedness. Oppressed by our deceitfulness. Ruled by... *sigh*

But like they say, with every dark cloud there is a silver lining. For every turn of the wheel that slams you to the ground, there is the hope that it will rotate up again. Just like Britney's come back to the music scene. I believe there will come a day when Malaysia will Truly be Asia. A country where we don't just preach tolerance but actually practice acceptance. Where we see each other as human beings and not judge by the colour of our skin. A time when equal opportunity and success of the nation is the priority.

I do not know when that time will arrive. But I am sure that it will come. And I hope it will be soon.

Selamat Hari Merdeka Malaysia.

We love you. Please love us back.