There’s an appeal going around urging people to wear something red on Friday the 28 to show solidarity with the Burmese people.
Now I know these sort of things are generally a bit pointless and I’m more than willing to discuss the concept of such appeals, but I just wanted to get it out there.
I’m going to put on something red today. Because there’s not much more I can do and I want to show that I’m thinking of the people of Burma and what they’re going through right now.
My school says not to wear red on Saturday, because that is the other team’s colors. So should I undress at around 11:55, just to be safe?
Ah, problem solved, I don’t own a stitch of red clothing.
So, is red a Burmese symbol or does it represent something?
The Buddhist monks leading the anti-junta demonstrations wear red robes, I believe.
Saffron. I’m wearing red, but then, if I was allowed to dress in a single color, it would be red, so not much merit there…
I like solidarity, I like democracy, I like red. I’m in! Just picked out my shirt for the day.
I’m wearing… orange…
I’m in for the red as well. I was trying to wear an article of black for the Jena Six, and ended up with a black bracelet, but let’s see what I can’t come up with.
Either way, I’m in!
And this is going to help… how?
Well, if I could do something more concrete, I’d do it. I can’t, so I’ll make a silly little token gesture.
Reminds me of that Onion article after 9/11, something along the lines of: “Woman in Florida, unsure of how to help, bakes stars and stripes cake”.
Anyway, I am being too negative; it’s good to show solidarity in some way, even if few will realise what you’re doing.
What colour should one wear to show support for the junta?
Red might also be appropriate.
I didn’t even realize it and I am wearing red.
Solidarity, brothers!
Am I the only one who thought, when presented with “red” and “Burma”, of Burma-Shave?
Police states kill
But people will win
Freedom shall ring
In Burma again
Burma-Shave
Protestors say
It’s none too soon-ta
Stop the actions
Of the junta
Burma-Shave
Can I feel solidarity with the Burmese people and still wish their monk caste would disappear?
They have half a million of them sucking the life out of the economy to keep themselves fed and the temples glorious.
I have the same feelings about Tibet. Just because I want the people free from their current rulers doesn’t mean I have to embrace the former domineering caste.
The monks aren’t a ‘caste.’ Anybody can become a monk; in fact, it’s expected of every man in the country to spend time as a monk as rite of passage. The Theravada monkhood has served as the conscience of Buddhist nations since the time of Asoka.
And they don’t drain off anything except what people choose to give them - it’s against the Suttabivhanga to even ask for anything. While there are unscrupulous monks and many of them are in positions of power, most monks are genuinely pious people who are genuinely enriched by their vocation. And this is especially so in Burma, which has been since 1071 the ideological capital of pure Theravada Buddhism.
And unlike in Tibet, Burmese monks don’t run things. They stand next to the throne, whatever form it may take, but don’t ever sit in it.
It’ll soothe the conscience of a bunch of privileged Westerners without them actually doing anything.
Better idea: donate ten bucks to Amnesty International and write a couple letters.
Well, I did both. 
However, I’m a bit conflicted about these things. On the one hand, I agree with NinjaChick in that wearing a particular color has no influence over anything other than your own conscience. But, on the other hand, it can bring attention to an issue and might get people to ask what else they can do. In general we are very powerless when it comes to the struggles of a people so far away from us and sometimes you need to do something no matter how pointless it may be. And I know that the exiled Burmese radio/TV station over here filmed and took pictures so maybe some of it got back to some people in Burma and made them aware of the fact that we are thinking about them even if we can’t do much to help.