Historian, Authenticity & Censorship

Historian

• According to a Historian from Smithsonian,
  “There is no single correct history.
  There are often competing and contradicting histories.”
• The duty of a historian is to present facts and not opinions.
• It is up to the reader to read the historical documents critically and make his/her judgement.

Authenticity

• During the Adhamma Era, sayas sayamas and students were forced to “Let Oak Chi” to visiting Taing Hmus and Higher.
• One exception was Saya U Hla Shwe (Textile 69) who continued teaching saying, “This is my duty. I can only come when the class is done.”
• When U Hla Shwe fell ill, a blogger recounted the episode, and several who did not know U Hla Shwe donated for his medical expenses.

Censorship

• At one period, there was excessive censorship.
• My story and translation “A Man of Infinite Valor” about Ananda Thuriya was censored.
  “Dhammata” poem was a taboo.
  The Higher Authorities did not like the line “One [person] must face destruction for another to prosper”.
• No publication (e.g. poem) must refer to the “sun” and “sun set”.
• I wrote computer articles for the Guardian.
  The articles had to be approved by a group of three Chief Editors (U Soe Myint, Chief Editor of Guardian and Chief Editors of two Myanmar newspapers).
• With the “Pwint Linn” Era, several books and photos (which would not pass censorship) are available.
• Htein Win (Dat Pone) had to wait several decades before he could publish two books : one about “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn” and another about “8-8-88 Ah Yay Ah Khin”.