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Alice Walker Writes Letter To Aung San Suu Kyi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALICE WALKER WRITES LETTER TO AUNG SAN SUU KYI,
A DEMOCRATIC LEADER IMPRISONED IN HER OWN COUNTRY.
Berkeley, CA, February, 2009: Alice Walker recently returned from Rangoon, Burma where she was traveling under the auspices of The Foundation for the People of Burma, bringing aid to those most harmed by hurricane Nargis. On her return she was compelled to write a letter to Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for close to 20 years.
Throughout history, letters written by and between people of influence have long been a fascination due to their personal and historical relevance. Often long after their death, the letters discovered are a treasure which shed light on the lives of the letter writers. Examples are VanGogh to Theo (1853-90), Lincoln to Joshua Speed (1855), Rilke and the Young Poet, Frida Kahlo’s letters to herself (1950, hidden for half a century), Zora Neale Hurston’s letter to the editor of the Orlando Sentinel (1955) and Aung San Suu Kyi first political action: an open letter to the repressive Burmese government (1988).
We have the first letter in a series of two, which we can savor now - a poignant, intimate glimpse into the lives of two women visionaries of our day, who have in common the struggle against oppression, whether physical, societal, religious, or political. Author and Pulitzer Prize Winner (1983) Alice Walker of the United States, and Leader of the National League for Democracy (1988), Nobel Peace Prize Winner (1991) Aung San Suu Kyi, of Burma.
Ms. Walker writes to Aung San Suu Kyi “You do not consider what you are doing – holding the light for democracy in Burma at such cost to yourself – a sacrifice. You consider it a choice! You know how, when reading someone, you begin to cherish him or her? That has been happening, as I read you.”
"So Long A Letter" (2009), is part one of two, as Ms. Walker will continue her correspondence to Aung San Suu Kyi about a variety of topics – feminism, the remedy for the “hungry ghost”,
the connection between sociopathy and dictatorship, and the role of eating curry in a country that has at times very little food. Ms.Walker encourages Aung San Suu Kyi “You will win your struggle for democracy and freedom, because you must, and in the process teach the world the useful, highly desirable, political and spiritual truths you have found, and that world leaders, especially, need to know.”
This letter is being released directly through Alice Walker's Blog. Ms.Walker is now on her way to Gaza with Code Pink for International Women's Day to: "express solidarity with the people there". Her statement titled, "We can offer what we are" is also on her blog.
To read Alice’s letter please go to http:///www.alicewalkersblog.com
To learn more about Alice Walker: http://www.alicewalkersgarden.com
To learn more about Aung San Suu Kyi: http://www.dassk.com
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