Guest contributor
James Shwe
Myanmar’s revolution is at a critical juncture. The fight against the military junta is not just about overthrowing a dictatorship, it is about building a nation where all people, regardless of ethnicity or religion, can live in freedom and dignity.
To achieve this, we must embrace critical thinking, strengthen unity across our diverse communities, and demand principled leadership that prioritizes transparency and accountability.
Our leaders must develop the habit of informing the people of their intentions—within the limits of strategic necessity—and seek public feedback on important decisions. At the same time, we must resist external influences that seek to manipulate our movement for their own agendas and recognize the importance of collaboration—both visible and behind the scenes. This revolution requires courage, intellect, solidarity, and strategy.
Education as the foundation of resistance
Critical thinking: A revolutionary tool
The military junta has long maintained its grip on power by stifling critical thinking. Under its rule, Myanmar’s education system was designed to produce obedient citizens rather than independent thinkers.
Even before the 2021 military coup, rote learning dominated classrooms, discouraging students from questioning authority or imagining alternatives to the status quo. This lack of critical thinking left Myanmar’s people unprepared to challenge the military effectively.
However, education can be transformative. By teaching ourselves and each other how to think critically, how to question narratives, verify facts, and envision a better future—we can empower our revolution.
Workshops in liberated areas or among diaspora communities can spread knowledge about democracy, federalism, and justice. These efforts should focus on practical lessons that help people understand what they are fighting for and how to build a fairer society.
The coup itself has become a brutal but important teacher. It has shown us the power of unity in the face of oppression and the importance of independent thought. We must carry these lessons forward to create a Myanmar where education liberates rather than oppresses.
Unity through diversity: Our greatest strength
Embracing our differences
Myanmar is home to a rich tapestry of ethnicities, religions, and cultures. For decades, the military has exploited these differences to divide us—pitting one group against another to maintain its power.
But diversity is not a weakness; it is our greatest strength. Each community brings unique skills, perspectives, and histories of resistance that can contribute to our shared struggle.
For example:
- Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) have decades of experience resisting oppression and governing local areas. Their knowledge of self-determination and resilience is invaluable.
- People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) have mobilized in Bamar-majority regions that were previously untouched by conflict, demonstrating unprecedented coordination between urban activists and rural fighters.
- Religious leaders from all faiths have called for peace and justice, reminding us of our shared humanity.
By recognizing that we are stronger together than apart, we can turn the junta’s strategy of division into an opportunity for unity.
Collaboration behind the scenes
While some groups may face external pressure or constraints that prevent them from openly collaborating with others in the revolution, many are working together quietly behind the scenes.
These hidden alliances are vital—they allow groups with different priorities or challenges to coordinate efforts without exposing themselves to undue risks or criticism.
For instance:
- EAOs like the Brotherhood Alliance have captured significant territory in northern Shan and Rakhine states while maintaining independence from formal alliances with the National Unity Government (NUG).
- PDFs and EAOs have conducted joint operations that have dealt significant blows to the military’s forces without publicizing their coordination.
It is important for us to trust that many are contributing to our shared goals in ways that may not always be visible.
Resisting external manipulation
Foreign interests vs. Myanmar’s future
External powers often seek to manipulate revolutionary movements for their own interests rather than supporting what is best for the people involved. For example:
- Some foreign governments advocate withholding aid until certain conditions—such as resolving the Rohingya crisis—are met immediately, ignoring that only a democratic Myanmar can address such issues fairly.
- Others provide selective support based on geopolitical calculations rather than genuine solidarity with Myanmar’s people.
We must resist these influences by uniting around a shared vision for Myanmar’s future—one that prioritizes democracy, justice, and equality—and advocating for leaders who will protect this vision against external pressures.
Finding common ground against foreign agendas
All resistance groups face attempts at foreign manipulation. This shared challenge presents an opportunity for unity. By openly discussing how external actors try to divide us, we can develop collective strategies to maintain our independence.
For example:
- When foreign entities push narratives that favor one group over another, we must question their motives and prioritize what benefits all communities in Myanmar.
- Diaspora communities can play a key role in bridging divides between ethnic factions by fostering dialogue and advocating for inclusive solutions.
Recognizing propaganda and demanding accountability
Countering divisive narratives
The junta relies on propaganda to weaken our revolution by spreading lies designed to sow distrust among resistance groups.
These narratives are often amplified by two groups: junta-backed propagandists who deliberately spread misinformation and misguided activists who repeat harmful claims without understanding their impact.
For example:
- Claims that “Bamar Buddhists are intolerant” ignore how the junta has weaponized religion to divide communities for decades.
- Narratives suggesting “the military is too entrenched to fail” mirror junta psychological operations aimed at demoralizing resistance forces.
We must challenge these narratives by questioning who benefits from them and educating others about their origins.
Holding leaders accountable with transparency
Strong leadership is essential for any successful revolution—but not all leaders act in the best interests of those they represent. We must demand leaders who prioritize unity over personal gain or external agendas while fostering transparency wherever possible.
Our leaders must develop the habit of informing the people about their intentions as much as strategy allows while seeking public feedback on important decisions. This practice strengthens trust between leaders and citizens while ensuring that decisions reflect the will of those they serve.
What makes a good leader?
- Integrity: Leaders must be honest about their intentions and transparent in their actions whenever possible.
- Inclusivity: They must represent all ethnicities, religions, and social classes—not just their own group.
- Accountability: Leaders should admit mistakes when they occur and work collaboratively to correct them.
- Vision: They must focus on long-term goals like establishing democracy rather than short-term victories or personal fame.
- Engagement: Leaders should actively seek public input on decisions affecting everyone in Myanmar.
As citizens fighting for freedom, it is our responsibility to hold leaders accountable—not blindly follow them—and ensure they act in ways that strengthen unity rather than division.
A revolution built on unity, transparency, and principles
Myanmar’s revolution demands critical thinking, courage, unity across diversity, principled leadership rooted in transparency, and resistance against external manipulation.
The military wants us divided—along ethnic, religious, or ideological lines—because they know unity is their greatest threat.
As we continue this struggle, let us:
- Educate ourselves and each other about democracy and effective resistance strategies.
- Embrace our diversity as a source of revolutionary strength.
- Collaborate openly when possible but trust hidden alliances when necessary.
- Resist external influences that don’t prioritize Myanmar’s best interests.
- Demand leaders who demonstrate integrity while keeping people informed about their intentions.
- Engage with leadership by providing feedback on decisions critical to our collective future.
This revolution is more than defeating a dictatorship—it is about building a nation where everyone has an equal stake in its future through collaboration between citizens and transparent leadership.
By combining our diverse strengths with critical thinking and principled action rooted in trust between leaders and people alike—we will prove that Myanmar’s people cannot be permanently subjugated! Together—with unity in mind and action—we will achieve lasting freedom!
James Shwe is a Myanmar democracy activist in the U.S. and is a member of the advocacy groups Free Myanmar and the Los Angeles Myanmar Movement. He has been trying to organize and motivate the Myanmar diaspora to advocate for democracy in Myanmar.
DVB publishes a diversity of opinions that does not reflect DVB editorial policy. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our stories: [email protected]
