picture: the dutch symbol of freedom and pictures of the reoccupation of indonesia
INDEX
Freedom versus Oppression: Introduction
Freedom versus Oppression: The definition of freedom
Freedom versus Oppression: The definition of oppression
Freedom versus Oppression: Introduction
Freedom versus Oppression: The definition of freedom
Freedom versus Oppression: The definition of oppression
Freedom versus Oppression: Dutch Liberation Day Celebrations
Today may the 5th 2016 we
celebrate liberation day in the Netherlands. The Germans formally
surrendered to the Allies on 05-05-1945, more than 71 years ago. Ever
since our country has been at peace. We the Dutch had lost much to
the German oppression during the hunger winter in '44-'45. The
Germans had taken all our food and many people died as a result of starvation. Liberation was the biggest moment of joy in our 400 hundred year history. Large
parts of our country had been liberated by Canadians, who did not ask
anything in return, and did not occupy our nation. After the war they just packed up and left, leaving us free. The world could not have been brighter, live could not be more promising. Or so one would believe.
A great cynical event took
place almost immediately after our liberation. Our colony in the far
east, Indonesia, had declared it's independence. However the Dutch
government disagreed. We wasted no time reoccupying Indonesia and
began a campaign to suppress the freedom of the people of Indonesia
that lasted another 4 years. At the time a colony was seen as a
legitimate form of possessing another people. Few Dutch had any
considerations for the wishes of the Indonesian people. Might they
not also want to be free?
How much cynicism must one
posses, to commit such an act? You could state that we did not
deserve to be liberated. It certainly would have been better for the
people of Indonesia. Although today we give a lot of high and mighty
speeches about the value of freedom and human rights, our tiny
country has a rather large blemish when it comes to these values.
However our behavior is
far from unique. The British and the Russians did the same. And so
did the Indonesians. Indonesia is actually a large patchwork of
peoples and islands. Today the largest population, that of Java,
dominates the many smaller tribes and peoples. Often against their
will. Take for instance the people of Atjeh. They are treated as
second class citizens and denied many rights and opportunities. These histories are just a few examples of how mankind conducts its affairs in relation to itself. It seems no people or race is blame free. Even the freedom loving Americans have been known to support a dictator or two.
Given our conduct,
questions arise towards the value of freedom and the nobility of
mankind.
What is freedom?
What is oppression?
What kinds of oppression
are there?
Why do we want freedom?
Why do we oppress?
Is it acceptable for
others to be free?
Do we want others to be
free?
Are we prepared to fight
for the freedom of others?
How much of our noble
nations actually holds up under examination?
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