Adm. Tadashi Maeda
This article was featured in printed version of KOMPAS, on 30th Sep 2014.
The first time I read this article, I didn't think of much, except the part that Adm. Tadashi Maeda lived poorly that he packed the flight-meal. Is he that poor? I didn't read it carefully, when I want to re-read it, I realised the whole bunch of Dad's Kompas is already gone, maybe sold to flea market.
But then, I kept thinking more and more about it. This guy suddenly stuck in my mind. Had a hard time searching about him on the net. Check out this wiki link. Nothing. I also couldn't find the article anymore on the kompas.com . Until my brilliant friend, AD told me I should have called Kompas. Damn, they are good, all I need is mentioning the keyword, and voilà.... the article is sent to my inbox. How cool is that?
The reason why I was looking for this particular article, cause, I got me thinking, as why did Adm.TM choose to assist Indonesia, rather than sticking to the order of Japan Emperor. In other word, why did he choose to defend an-alien-race, rather than his own race?
His decision tickles me.
He didn't deny his identity as a Japanese, he actually went back, stayed, grew old and died in Japan.
He acted based on his own risky decision, as a military personnel - following superior order is a must, he didn't. Not following an order is a thing, but "betraying" one's own identity to protect/assist/defend an alien race is bigger thing. One need to have a strong principle to commit such decision.
Why Adm.TM is special, because apart from his personal preferences, he has no other attachment in this country. He didn't have an Indonesia wife, or anything. (Some other deserted Japanese soldiers choose to stay because of personal attachment). Adm.TM could just leave the country and forget whatever happened previously, it is never his personal responsibility anyway.
I am not sure if he ever regret it, I am pretty sure most Japanese do not agree his action. Worse part is that Indonesian don't even appreciate his "life-changing" contribution. What do we remember him for? Lending his house for Mr.Sukarno to type the Independence speech? Is that all?
When I was looking up for his article, I couldn't find anything... nothing... all article on the net only mention about the Indonesian Independence Day, and Adm. TM is just a mere name mentioned once with no other significance.
Assassinated for erasing slavery, sounds like an honourable way to die. But it was not, for a lot of people who own slaves at that time. As a white man, as someone who grew up in poverty, if AL then grew up to be someone who utilise his wealth to become a snob and abusive person - it would be 'acceptable'; you know, taking a revenge of what he lacked before. But he didn't.
He died fighting for the freedom of the blacks - a race they once see as lower class. The price that he need to pay was dear. Living in fear, after several assassination attempts, he died - for believing that human being, despite of their race, should be treated equally.
Some South people still have traces of hatred towards the black freedom, the discrimination is not 100% gone. Although AL died from what he always believe in, his sacrifice have changed a lot of lives, not just for the black, but for other coloured races.
Fatal Encounter
Watched this movie, thought it was a nice one, until I googled up. Damn!!! It is based on true story, true story of Prince Jeongjo. Go read up the synopsis, watch this video.
I find it interesting, the royal eunuch - who really is an assassin: trained, castrated, and planted in the palace to serve the Prince, to one day kill the Prince; at one point, changed his mind, "betraying" his "Master". And at the end, the-once-was-assassin, after witnessing his prey's good nature, became the one who convinced the Prince that he, one day, be a good King. Historically, King Jeongjo was recognised in good manner.
The part about the King, the assassinations (apparently there were plenty), the palace intrigues, even the ironic death of King's father... all were written in the history. Not sure about "the royal-eunuch-turned-hero" part. But it is surely a touching plot.
Note: The video's subtitle might not be totally accurate, but you will get the idea :)
It is very natural that in society, we act differently to different races, not always because of discrimination. Sometimes just out of habit, we tend to gather with our own kind, being ignorant of others' well-being. Maybe about another human being, another race, another social status or even another living creatures.
I still wonder about Adm Tadashi Maeda & Abraham Lincoln, how I adore their courage to stand for what they believe in. No matter what the consequences are.
But above all, I wanna point out is, that defending an unpopular principle - no matter how correct and noble it is, might not bring fame and fortune, it might even bring misery and death.
It is a personal choice, a choice to go against the current, against the flow, against the world - it is a choice to stand on the other side: The Humanity Side
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