RANGOON — US President Barack Obama’s speech at Rangoon University on Monday
earned mixed reactions, with some of his audience praising his “practical”
understanding of Burma’s needs, while others found his words less than
inspiring.
Thant Myint-U, a US-born Burmese
historian, said he thought the 30-minute speech did a good job of emboldening
the Burmese to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead. Noting the long neglect
of Burma’s education system, he added that Obama’s choice of venue was
particularly apt.
Ma Thida, a writer and editor,
also appreciated the US president’s message on education and other challenges
facing the country, but was less impressed with his delivery.
“He emphasized the importance of
education and the role of the citizen. I liked that, because that’s what we
really need here,” she said.
She noted, however, that the
speech didn’t get much applause. “Maybe it’s because people were so tired after
waiting for him for nearly three hours,” she said, adding that compared to
other speeches she’s seen Obama give, this one was “just average” and “not very
inspired.”
Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi, a Burmese
filmmaker who is now working on a documentary on Aung San Suu Kyi, was not so
disappointed, however. The best part of the speech, he said, was when Obama
said that the United States stands with the people of Burma, who have suffered
under tyranny for many years.
“That really moved me,” he said.
“For the president of one of the world’s most powerful and democratic countries
to encourage the Burmese like that is quite amazing.”
He also praised the US president
for directing some of his words directly at the Burmese government, instead of
just offering encouragement to the country’s people.
Obama’s remarks on the
contentious subject of ethnic relations in Burma were particularly helpful, the
filmmaker said.
“What he said about ethnic
affairs is quite practical. He compared Burma’s ethnic diversity with that of
the US. He said that if he had been discriminated against because of his ethnic
background and the color of his skin, there would be no way for him to be
president.”
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