“Hell Is Other People”—from “No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre

4 March 2021

The day before yesterday 14yo and 16yo boys, among others, were shot and killed. I thought about that when I’d awaken during the night. Yesterday 61 people were shot to death across Myanmar, including 22 in Yangon, with correspondingly many wounded. Automatic weapons are being used.  The military is blocking major roads in Yangon. Twelve surveillance drones at a time have been spotted the sky over Yangon.  Medics helping the wounded were yanked out of ambulances and beaten with the butts of guns; one died from the beating. Some of the wounded have been hunted at night and arrested. There are videos of military men drinking beer together at the end of the day, celebrating how many they have killed.

This is what can happen when the results of free elections are not accepted.

The Myanmar Medical Society just announced that its members will not treat injured police or soldiers.

No teaching can occur when the schoolhouse is on fire. I’ve announced to my professor and students that I’ll be leaving soon. They have urged me to leave. None of them can. I applaud their courage. It is very difficult to abandon them in this time of violence and cruelty.