quarta-feira, janeiro 14, 2009

Hope: The Stories We Were Once Told

14.01.09

All of us have heard stories of men and women, whose courage and determination have “moved mountains”. We heard of their triumphs in the name of justice, truth, peace, freedom, patriotism, religion and even love. We did not only hear the stories of Good vs. Evil, but we have also learned to differentiate Good from Evil.

Some of these stories were only fantasies, fairytales, the bedtime stories our parents used to read to us so that we were able to fall asleep or to simply educate us about different things and situations that we have faced or will eventually face. We read about and sometimes wished to become like the super heroes from the comic books we used to collect. We watched movies about great warriors and knights willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of God, their land or simply in the name of honor.

Religion teaches us about the prophets and their selflessness. Whether we are catholic, followers of Islam, Buddhists, or even non-believers, we have all learned, to an extent, about Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Buda and their followers. The faith that guided them and many times required them to sacrifice everything that they possessed, including their lives.

Today, we still learn and we still teach about the great works of even greater men and women like Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Josina Machel, Che Guevara, Martin Luther King Jr., Eduardo Mondlane and Jose Rizal and the changes that resulted from their struggle against injustice, exploitation and discrimination. We keep their memories alive whether we call them heroes or mere idealists.

If we believe in these stories or not, if they are real or myth, if they were about men or women, if they had a “Shakespearean” style ending or if they “lived happily ever after”, it does NOT matter. The essence of it is what is important. The similarity between all of these stories hides itself behind the reason why we still read books to our children about heroes and about right and wrong, even when we think that we have stopped believing in them. It is behind the reason why we cry after reading some of the most beautiful love stories. The reason why we don’t mind reading some history books and “wasting” a few hours watching movies based on the lives of some of the most inspiring human beings that have ever lived. This purpose, this similarity, this reason, is what we simply call HOPE.

The hope to live a similar love story as the one that has made us cry. The hope that these bedtime stories will influence our sons and daughters to become great men and women when they grow up regardless of the pressure on them by the so called “real world” to push away any kind of idealist ambitions. The hope that more men and women will rise up and have the courage to continue and follow the works started by the leaders, who were responsible for some of the greatest social changes ever achieved. The hope to finally make the world a better place. A better world that has been written so much about but for now it keeps itself safe on pages of numerous inspiring books.

This was the same hope Timor-Leste represented during the struggle to restore its independence. We learn the stories about our heroes and their battles. We cry when hear about the tragic love stories that occurred during the war, and the stories of the bruises that will never heal. We keep the memories alive of those who taught us not just regarding our RIGHT to be free but about our NEED to be free as well. There is a need to keep what we call HOPE alive. Hope that our struggle could and still can inspire not only us, Timorese, but also show to the rest of the developing world that “the only impossibility is the lack of possibilities”.

All this is what keeps us believing. All this is what keeps us optimist when we look at the current situation of our beloved nation. It is what helps us understand that although we have defeated the colonial regime and the Indonesian illegal occupation, we still struggle to hold what is ours by right: freedom. It is what motivates us to face these present difficulties, with our heads high. To face the “horror” stories created by the corrupt, the deceiving and by the traitors.

A great friend sent me a quote by Samuel Johnson very recently, which said: “great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance”. And like many of the children of Timor-Leste, I will continue to persevere. I will persevere because I hope one day to tell the stories of our heroes. I hope one to write most unforgettable songs about the most beautiful Timorese love stories. I hope that one day, we will be able to make our own movies inspired on our struggle. Because I hope that one day I will be able to read bedtime stories to my children. The stories of the people, the places, the myths, the suffering and the triumphs. And before they fall asleep each night, they will know how this hope gave them not just the right to be called Timorese, but it also kept alive their right to be free.

By: Lukeno Alkatiri

5 comentários:

Anónimo disse...

LUKENO, THAT IS A GEM. LOVE IT! GOOD ON YOU!

XINOCO DE MELBOURNE

Anónimo disse...

You had a great oportunity while your dad was prime minister ,not only to write all of the above, but to advise him about the most important freedon of all.
The freedom of the PEOPLE OF TIMOR LESTE.
Had done so, he would still be prime minister.

Anónimo disse...

"The freedom of the PEOPLE OF TIMOR LESTE.
Had done so, he would still be prime minister"

WHOEVER WROTE THIS, I AM PRETTY SURE DOES NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD FREEDOM. SOON EAST TIMOR WILL BE LIKE ZIMBABWE AND THEN MY NYNCONPOOP, YOU WILL LEARN WHAT FREEDOM IS ABOUT. FOR NOW JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTH AS YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU BANANAS ARSELICKER!

Anónimo disse...

This anonimo knows nothing about the first Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste. At least, could you tell me how many people were arrested or put in prison during the time that Lukeno's dad was prime minister? Not even a single one. Could you tell me also how many students were arrested at the time for the simple reason that they decided to demonstrate against the government? Again not even a single one. The main mistake made Lukeno's dad was only because he was strugling to defend the sovereingty of his country and independence for his people. Is it a crime? The truth is close to be none. Don't come with your rethoric.

Anónimo disse...

...those are mistakes Australians always make...not understanding why Alkatiri was more on a level of freedomfighters like Amilcar Cabral and Samora Machel....more than maun boot like XG and JRH altogether may ever dream of!

Traduções

Todas as traduções de inglês para português (e também de francês para português) são feitas pela Margarida, que conhecemos recentemente, mas que desde sempre nos ajuda.

Obrigado pela solidariedade, Margarida!

Mensagem inicial - 16 de Maio de 2006

"Apesar de frágil, Timor-Leste é uma jovem democracia em que acreditamos. É o país que escolhemos para viver e trabalhar. Desde dia 28 de Abril muito se tem dito sobre a situação em Timor-Leste. Boatos, rumores, alertas, declarações de países estrangeiros, inocentes ou não, têm servido para transmitir um clima de conflito e insegurança que não corresponde ao que vivemos. Vamos tentar transmitir o que se passa aqui. Não o que ouvimos dizer... "
 

Malai Azul. Lives in East Timor/Dili, speaks Portuguese and English.
This is my blogchalk: Timor, Timor-Leste, East Timor, Dili, Portuguese, English, Malai Azul, politica, situação, Xanana, Ramos-Horta, Alkatiri, Conflito, Crise, ISF, GNR, UNPOL, UNMIT, ONU, UN.