'Independence Day fiesta meaningless'<\/p>\n
The government is busying itself with preparations for the 57th
\nIndependence Day, which occurs on Aug. 17. And many residents in
\nthe city are decorating their homes and neighborhoods ahead of
\nthe festivities. And yet, amid all the hoopla, there remain some
\npeople who just don't seem to care.<\/p>\n
Ilham, 27, a beverage vendor in Depok, West Java. He is from
\nSukabumi, West Java, and has been selling drinks for five years.
\nHe lives in Depok with his wife and a daughter:<\/p>\n
The commemoration of Independence Day is meaningless to me.
\nIt was only meaningful when the founding fathers proclaimed our
\ncountry's independence.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, only the well-off enjoy being independent, as
\nthey are able to live prosperous lives. On the other hand, the
\npoor have to fight just to survive. So really the poor are not
\nindependent.<\/p>\n
I just wish the country would improve the lives of the poor,
\nto make Independence Day more meaningful.<\/p>\n
Deni, 34, is a street poet who has made a living reading his
\npoems on buses for 11 years. He lives in Bekasi and is raising
\nhis son by himself, since his wife left him a few years ago:<\/p>\n
Our country has its independence, but the reality is nonsense.
\nThere are still riots, street crime, brawls and other clashes
\nthat frighten everyone in this nation. How can we say this is
\nindependence?<\/p>\n
Suppose this generation could learn the meaning (of
\nindependence) from the past struggles of Indonesia's heroes, then
\nwe would probably live in peace.<\/p>\n
I cannot deny that most low-income people live in dire
\nconditions. They suffer from the hardships of life.<\/p>\n
Nurul, 22, a medical student at the University of Indonesia,
\nwho lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I can't see any significance in the celebration of
\nIndependence Day. We should be independent, but in fact we are
\nnot.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, festivities should only be held to commemorate
\nsomething that is worthy of being celebrated. We don't have
\nanything worth celebrating at the moment. Well, at least, we want
\nto celebrate our founding fathers, who 57 years ago struggled for
\nour independence.<\/p>\n
Despite the country's independence, it seems that we are
\nstanding still in the middle of nowhere. We don't even step
\nforward.<\/p>\n
So, I just wish everyone would do their best to develop our
\nnation. We shouldn't blame each other. We should be responsible
\nfor the smallest things in ourselves, in our families, in society
\nand in the country. Otherwise, we will soon be at the point of no
\nreturn.<\/p>\n
Fifi, 38, is a housewife and a social activist who has lived
\nin Bungur, Central Jakarta, since 1985 with her husband and three
\nchildren:<\/p>\n
On the one hand, I feel that I am independent because I can
\ntake care of my family, have children and a husband.<\/p>\n
But I think our country has not yet obtained its independence.
\nThe price of basic goods for the people are still exorbitant. We
\nare living in hardship now. I personally prefer the New Order
\nregime, when everyone in the country found it relatively easy to
\nearn a living.<\/p>\n
The recent situation with the new government is even worse.
\nHow can we call it independence?<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/independence-day-fiesta-meaningless-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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