In case you haven't checked the date, today is August the 17th. Yes, it's Indonesia's 71st Independence Day. I have a strong feeling that today is going to pass like any other day, tomorrow will come in an instant. It used to be one of many public holidays I fancied the most, because it used to be fun with all the mini games and presents. I used to always team up with my friends in neighbourhood early in the morning, had fun in the field nearby, and came home late in the afternoon. At some point, there was this bike-decorating championship and we had to march around with our bikes full of decorations, ribbons and even balloons. Well, they still do it up until today, but I guess I'm too old to do those kind of things anymore. It would surely be awkward and it wouldn't be fair for those little children cos I could take away their present in a blink of an eye.
My own comprehension and cognisance of the concept of Independence day was nothing more than just mini contests, games and championships. I (and I believe many of Indonesian youngsters) had been doing an obligatory ceremony every Monday for almost 12 years since elementary school in which there was a moment of silence to honour the fallen heroes of this nation but did I really understand what that was all about? No. To be fair here, those ceremonies were obligatory, we had to stand for almost an hour and we had to listen to same thing every time. We didn't do it voluntarily, we felt like we were forced to do it. Today, I have realised that this ceremony is intended to shape us, the youngsters, so that we become people with a high sense of nationalism, and of course so that we don't forget where we came from, and what we had to go through. The agony we had to endure for years of years of torture and the pain we had to bear for loosing the ones we loved. The blood that was dripped for our own land, and freedom.
I could remember that history had never been a delightful subject for me. I didn't fancy reading those type of books, let alone doing the test. I learned history from my Dad, because he liked telling stories and I liked to ask and listen. I could confidently say I'm a person with a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism, at least compared to other people my age. I could also say that this wasn't built by those ceremonies I did back on those days, it was built by my own research.
This is not what this post is going to be all about, not about nationalism or patriotism.
Even until 6 years ago, every August 17th, I would wake up, turn on the TV and watch the national ceremony (cos sure as hell it's just super interesting to watch). Then I would have a brief discussion with my dad about how far this country had gone. I would then go to my room, contemplated everything and started feeling disgusted because I would realise that this country hadn't done anything significant. I would feel annoyed with all those corruptors who rotted this country from the inside. I would make a post criticising the government, then eventually failed to post it. I would blame everyone and everything for this miserable country. I would hate everyone and everything but me.
Today I woke up. I realised that I have changed now, not sure how long. I don't blame them anymore. I blame myself. This country's future is in my hand, and it's my responsibility as a citizen to build this country to be a better place for anyone. Sure I could still see all the defects this country keeps making, from the 2 weeks old ministry to the poor girl who couldn't join the Flag Hoisting Troop. All those issue diversions every time something bad comes up to the surface. This country still needs a serious fix, but I have come to a realisation that its my job to fix it.
For my fellow young adults, be on my side. Don't be someone who comes forward to criticise but do nothing practical about it. Be someone who does something. Everyone can have brilliant thoughts and concepts but not everyone could do something about it. Don't blame the government, and be them instead. Make a change, help our country.
These words could probably mean nothing. This could also probably sound meaningless and sound hell of a bullshit. At least I did something, have you done something?
Thank you for those of you who have reached this point and read this post until the very end.
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