Every week, I write here about a theme or happening of the week that attracts my attention. Sometimes, like this week, I wonder why I made my choice as I did. Then it just hit me. This is not about poor use of English used by Thais in a professional setting but rather about how they are treated by their own within their own society and culture. Language is but a sign of what happens here. namely, the people are kept down by their superiors in their place and that is where they are to stay.
I have read and I do see how Thais are all educated but only to a certain level so as to keep them in their station in society. Have them too educated and too many might move above their level in society and thus create problems for the status quo. An interesting theory but I see it in practice and it works. My question as a good, western liberal is how long you can keep good people down?
Thai society is based on a strict and highly defined hierarchy. Every one knows their place and is to keep their place. "Don't rock the boat!" may be an unspoken national theme. I see it in my workplace in the Church. The staff are looked after by their boss or patron (however you want to identify it) but they in return are ruled by him. There is a price. I hear how staff are treated by their patron, in this case the bishop. The model is one of "Follow me or else!" It is not my model and it would not work at home.
As I try to deal with work matters with staff, this is the ultimate wall I hit time and again as I did again this week Me being me can easily feed into this agenda as it is about righting a wrong and justice for the oppressed but you know what? I have to act wisely and I have to remind myself yet again that this is not a just world in its everyday realities and I can't make it that way by being the lone warrior. It just doesn't work.
I recognize that this is not my fight and for good reason. Bottom line is I have no right to change anyone and definitely no right to change a whole culture, even when I may judge it needs changing. It just is not my place to engage in such a struggle. After all, I am an outsider here and it is not my place to change anyone except myself. What then is my place?
My place is to accompany, to speak honestly with ones in my life when they are treated abysmally and to encourage and empower them to act for themselves. Ultimately, it is their struggle but not alone. No one can fight their fight for them. Nor is it anyone else's place to do so. This is about respect and respecting each person's right and ability to raise themselves up but in a context where we act for and with each other. To put it another way, we see God in being with each other in our need, in getting our hands dirty with those in trouble. We do not see God in controlling, directing or ruling others, even when they are down or in need and even when doing so for good purpose.
So I will keep reading these signs - Man and Men. But where are the Women?
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