Bersih Rally in Chicago - July 9, 2011

By Lu

If you knew me well, I'm the most unpolitical person around. I could care less about other people's politics, as I don't even care about my own politic. As long as I live comfortably, have my freedom, not oppressed, and have my means for pursuit of my happiness, I am fine. However, not everyone in this world can have the comfortable life I am living. Not everyone in the world can enjoy fairness and freedom as I can.

Coming from a country like Indonesia, that is well known for its history of dictatorship, unfairness in elections, and burdened with corruptions, I should know what the people of "Bersih" are fighting for. My country has come a long way than what it was before. We still have tons of work to do, but again, I am not the one who will preach what needs to be done back there. Yet, for people like me, who aren't really fully invested in one cause, I have more to be thankful about and should express my gratitude to people who take charge and voice their opinion to make a change.

Bersih, is an organization based in Malaysia, who is fighting for clean and fair election for the Malaysian people. As a neighboring country, Indonesians probably would look at Malaysia as the more mature and more responsible big brother. They seem to have their act together and carry the long tradition of the various kingdoms and still live in peace. However, who knew that there's always something that a big brother can still improve.

I recently was introduced to the concept of Bersih by my Malaysian friend, CK. I saw the news about the rally in Malaysia and how it got quite heated and costing someone's life. The altercation with the police locally in Kuala Lumpur, the closing of the streets, the tear gas - sounds like any rallies or demos I have ever heard of anywhere. Why when people want to voice their opinion, it is always ended up with the police and the tear gas? It is like a prerequisite for change.

So when CK said to me that there would be a Bersih rally in Chicago yesterday and that he and his wife would like to attend to show support, I was also intrigued. I came along and that would be the first ever political rally I have ever came across, or being close in vicinity at. This Bersih rally in Chicago was a good rally for a novice like me.

The color for Bersih is yellow, so all supporters showed up wearing a yellow shirt. I happened to own no yellow piece of clothing of any sort. Yellow is so bad for my complexion but who cares on that, as yellow is Malaysia's color. CK, Sabrina, Kinzie, and myself came to the very peaceful and happy rally held at the Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. It was quite a small gathering as perhaps the Malaysian community here would be also quite small. However, it was a gorgeous summer day in Chicago and these people spent their gorgeous weekend day to support a cause they believe in. This was for their country, for the future of their people. I can relate to that.

Bersih Rally in front of the "Bean" in Chicago Millennium Park

There was no tear gasses here. There was no police. There was no life lost. What I saw was peaceful, happy, and kind hearted people gathering with conviction of a just cause. They also made new friends who shared the same beliefs. I saw families, kids in yellow, and college students all gathered up together. Some people could say that it was a lame rally. There was a mention that no food nobody showed up. There might be some truth to that, knowing how the South East Asians love their food. However, shame on those who did not show up because there was no food! It actually reminded me of a South Park episode about an underground meeting they were holding with an invite saying there would be punch and pie. A lot of people showed up looking for the punch and pie. So, I guess the notion even extended to a cartoon community.

Would this small Bersih rally make a difference? I sure hope so. It raised a lot of awareness. They talked to many people that just happened to be there to look at the Chicago Bean. They definitely raised the awareness in me, and I am writing about them. It all snowballs. Never say a small effort can not make a difference.

At the end of the day, it takes a whole nation to make a change in a country. However, it usually started by one single person. Sure Bersih was thought of by one person and that person should be proud of what the organization has accomplished thus far.

We all want fairness and clean living. We all want to live happily with equality. The thought of "Bersih" which literally means "clean" in Malay sounds like a great idea. Though I am usually always Switzerland, meaning I really try to stay neutral, I do take my hat off to people who sacrifice their time and comfort to make a difference.