When I was asked to write the first editorial for the first public unveiling of the Tai-Nation website, I was honoured to have the opportunity for sharing some of my thoughts on this hot topic.  “Unity” has been on our lips for some months, so it timely to reflect on the word and the meaning that it has for Tai people.

Of course, we may assume that we know exactly what we mean when we say “Unity”.  We mean agreeing with the same point of view, or we mean standing together in a protective circle to keep outsiders out, or we mean something else.  We have been using the word to mean unity of the Tai people in accepting the right ‘cause’, but we seem to have different ideas about what the ‘cause’ is.

The word “Unity” means ‘oneness’; agreement, harmony, accord, unison, concord, unanimity; it also means tolerance, respect, diplomacy and humility.  From this we might think that we can not gain unity because we will never all agree on everything all of the time.  In an open free society we are free to have our own views and to express them, without inciting hatred and violence.  This will result in different people having different opinions.  This is how all open societies work, different groups of people have different views and want different things from life, from their government.  Society only works when the discussions between people seek to resolve differences and find a solution.  If we don’t find the solution, society breaks down; confusion and disorder results.  When we accept that conflict can sometimes exist we can work to resolve it.

But this is where we must think of unity in the bigger picture.  Tai people are united in many ways, through a common culture, language, geographical roots, history, shared experience and shared suffering.  Tai people have a unity of purpose; to achieve freedom from oppression and fear.  A unity of goal to achieve a prosperous future, the blessings of a good life free from disease and hunger; in a safe, secure and harmonious environment.  Shan States is a beautiful and fertile land, with good natured people who wish to live together in harmony with their neighbours.  This unity of purpose also tells us that we need to be purposeful in pursuing our goals.  We know that our goals may be difficult to achieve, but without purposefulness, we will amble along slowly.  We need to be united and purposeful to move along as quickly as our legs can take us, and as quickly as we can make our goals happen.

Shan States has a diverse mix of ethnic groups; Tai Yai, Tai Khurn, Tai Lui or Tai Neir, Tai Keiy, Pa-O or Daung Su, Daung Yoe, Palaung, Kachin, Dai Nawng or in Burmese Intha, Danu , Lisu, Lahu, Wa, Kaw, Padaung, as well as Chinese, Indians, Burmans and others.  It is difficult to say that we have total unity amongst all of these groups now or in the near future, but when we have peace, we will live together peacefully.  Without fostering unity and harmony among all the peoples of Shan States, we will not have peace.  Unity is about fostering the common qualities that make us human.  This may seem a long way in the future, as some of us hold bitter memories for far too long.  But, we will learn to live with our neighbours and those who live amongst us.  Shan States will be a nation of unity, not a nation of discord.  Tai Nation will be a United Nation, and not an unrepresented nationality.  And Tai-Nation.org will be there to celebrate the dawning of the new age.

Tai people are spread around the world, many having left Burma to escape the persecution, many to study overseas.  Tai live overseas in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Europe, Taiwan, China, Japan and elsewhere.  Many overseas groups are actively campaigning for freedom in Shan states and Burma.  Until recently many groups worked almost independently.  In recent years the more widespread use of e-mail and internet technology means that overseas Tai groups can communicate more easily with one another, sharing ideas, discussing campaigns and distributing news.  Tai-Nation is the latest website to bring Tai together.  We shouldn’t forget that in 'May 1968' the government of France was brought down by student agitators who organised their demonstrations using the Minitel e-mail service – technology is a tool of the freedom movement; freedom of speech and association give us the tools to destroy governments.  That is why governments who fear change also fear technology – internet communications technology gives power to the people to share information, the truth, news, the power to organise and achieve change.  Technology brings us closer to the concept of global unity, global campaigning, global change. 

Tai have a unity of vision to be free.  This binds Tai like glue.  Tai may have different views on how we become free, but there is no mistaking the unity of purpose in wishing to be free.  Whatever form the nation takes, freedom and self-determination are paramount in our thoughts and dreams for the future.  We should hold these dreams dear, and work towards bringing them to reality.

Unity of consciousness is a concept in philosophy that describes how we can be conscious of many concepts or things in our mind all at the same time.  I’m going to bend the rules of philosophy and suggest that we need to remain conscious of unity all of the time, and all of the meanings of the word unity. 

I started by saying that Unity means oneness.  Unity is a beautiful word; it is the name for a programming language, a computer game, a state in Sudan, 11 towns in USA, one in Canada, the name of a pop group and a jazz band.  It also means Unity of Purpose for Tai.

Unity of Purpose, Unity of People and Unity of Vision.

“… we are all living in harmony, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.”

Lord Buddha, Culagosinga Sutta.

He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.
-- Sun Tzu

The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger.  The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity, or it will move apart.
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Unity, great unity, strength, great strength.
-- Ho Chi Minh

U – Unison of purpose
N – Nationalities of Shan States
I - Independence
T – Together we stand
Y – Yes to Unity

The purpose of an editorial is to be provocative, to engage with the reader and stimulate the mind to see the past, present and future in a new light, to see the big picture.  It also aims to help us see beyond where we are now and to decide what kind of future we want.