Characteristics of a Leader: Aung San Suu Kyi

Note:  Hey! My name is Paige and I am the author of A Paige Turner.  I wrote this essay in my senior year of high school as an application for the Political Communications program at George Washington University. My writing was inspired largely by a Time Magazine article dedicated to Suu Kyi, which you can read here. 


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Characteristics of a Leader: Aung San Suu Kyi

In the bold opening line of her 1990 “Freedom from Fear” speech, Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma's National League for Democracy, declared "It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.”

She went on to describe the three types of corruption her fellow citizens of the oppressed country of Burma most abhor: bhaya-gati--allowing fear to destroy all sense of right and wrong, dosa-gati--taking the wrong path to spite those against whom one bears ill will, and chanda-gati--deviation from the right path in pursuit of bribes or for the sake of those one loves.

 In light of her release on November 13, 2010 from yet another prolonged house arrest, Suu Kyi has caught my eye as a sincere and devoted leader who, throughout her rise to influence, has consistently taken the higher road as she has avoided these three paths to corruption. Although I do not know that I could ever exhibit the strength and wisdom Suu Kyi has demonstrated over the years, I hope to one day similarly dedicate myself to a worthy cause and pursue it with such selflessness.

In 1990, the same year in which she penned “Freedom from Fear," Aung San Suu Kyi stood as the nominee for Burma's National League for Democracy in the first open election the stifling military junta had held in years. Though beloved by the Burmese people, the military junta working behind the State Law and Order Restoration Council declared her to be a threat to the public peace and order and placed her under house arrest.

 Suu Kyi's confinement did not shake the confidence of the Burmese people in their passionate leader and her party overwhelmingly took the election with 83% of the seats in parliament. However, the junta turned a blind eye to these staggering results, and continued down their path of violence, unjust imprisonment, and suppression of the values of democracy.

 In opposition to the principle of bhaya-gati, Suu Kyi did not allow any fear she might have felt from this totalitarian form of government distort her sense of right and wrong. Routinely resisting the government ban on political gatherings of more than four people, she risked her life and her freedom in order to share her message of Democracy and hope for a brighter future with the Burmese people.

In my life, I seek to develop the moral courage to stand up for what I know to be true, despite opposition. I hope to exhibit Suu Kyi's conviction as I stand by my moral and ethical beliefs, and not allow the fear of rejection, ridicule, or physical or emotional harm prevent me from acting upon my sure knowledge.

Suu Kyi's release last November renewed her connection with the global media. In an interview with the BBC,  her political strategy was ascertained by a reporter who asked whether she wanted to see the military junta fall. Characteristic of her elegant and sincere manner, she replied “I don't want to see the military falling; I want to see them rising to dignified heights.”

Profoundly influenced by the nonviolent leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, Suu Kyi has avoided dosa-gati, or taking the wrong path to spite others. Rather than seeking to overtake the government by force, her life's work has been to prepare Burma for a nonviolent revolution, one in which the current leaders are educated and inspired to govern the country more justly.

I am particularly impressed that, as a female in a country where women traditionally have little power, Suu Kyi has not compromised her inherently feminine characteristics by attempting to intimidate or dominate Burma's horrifically oppressive government. What I learn from her example, is that aggression does not wield lasting influence. By seeking peaceful settlements, she has gained far more respect, and has been able to do much more good for her country. If I could take on any one of her characteristics, it would be this one: the ability to set emotions aside, and rationally and calmly discuss an issue with a conflicting party.

 This attribute is extremely advantageous, not only professionally, but personally as well. Suu Kyi stated:
“I don't think violence really pays, I think violence begets violence.” In the same way, Suu Kyi believes that empathy begets empathy. In any situation, like Suu Kyi, I hope to be able to counteract aggression and violence with empathy and peaceful demonstrations.

Of all of the sacrifices I could make for a cause, the most costly to me would be my family. The loss of food, home, and possessions would be nothing compared to the loss of those that are most dear to my heart.
During her time in Burma, Suu Kyi was faced with a new challenge: chanda-gati, corruption induced by desire through deviation from the right path for the sake of those one loves.

In 1972 she married Michael Aris, a well-known scholar she had met while attending the University of Oxford. They had two sons and settled in England, though Suu Kyi knew that at some point she would have to return to her native home. Suu Kyi unexpectedly returned to Burma in 1988 to aid her ailing mother and during her stay became involved with the National League for Democracy.  She quickly rose to the prominent position of General Secretary within this organization and, as a result, became a prisoner within her own homeland, held in bondage by a series of government-induced house arrests.

 For many years, she was isolated from her husband and sons in a country far away from her current residence. However, Suu Kyi's greatest challenge came in 1999 when she received word that her husband was dying from cancer. The government denied Aris permission to visit his wife during the last year of his life and Suu Kyi feared that the government would not let her return to the Burma if she left. Aris died without ever saying a final goodbye to her. Her desire to work for liberty and justice was so great that she could not deviate from her path, no matter how great the cost.

 This event stands as a touching embodiment of wholehearted dedication. I do not believe that I will ever be in a situation as brutally conflicted as this, but if I were motivated by her drive and unwavering determination, I can only imagine the goals I could reach and the lives I could touch.

In her “Freedom from Fear," Aung San Suu Kyi summarized her ideal revolution. She said, “The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation's development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success.”

 Aung San Suu Kyi's immense influence as a leader is the result of this very philosophy:  not only should the government structure evolve, but the people too. Suu Kyi is leading this revolution of the spirit as she embodies the antithesis of bhaya-gati, dosa-gati, and chanda-gati by demonstrating great courage, empathy, and determination. These are qualities worthy of emulation by all of us. Her example inspires me to walk taller, speak out more frequently in support of my beliefs and values, focus more strongly on my goals, and show more compassion and understanding towards those who may disagree with or oppose me. In these things, I am determined to follow her example.