http://blog.prospectblogs.com/2008/05/12/burma-or-myanmar/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:49:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://blog.prospectblogs.com/2008/05/12/burma-or-myanmar/#comment-4524 Harold Schiffman Mon, 12 May 2008 16:50:40 +0000 http://blog.prospectblogs.com/?p=691#comment-4524 Since Aung San Suu Kyi calls it Burma, and she's the legitimately elected President of the country, I think we should all do so as well. The military junta that usurped power and has ruled the country illegitimately has attempted to cast themselves as good guys, using a supposedly authentic pre-colonial name, which I'm told is based on a misreading of ancient texts. It's the same old story--attempt to make yourself look good and post-colonial by making up a new "Old" name. Change Congo to Zaire; then change it back. Cambodia becomes Kampuchea, then back to Cambodia. Bombay becomes Mumbai, Madras becomes Chennai, despite the fact that there was no place named Chennai at the spot where the British first landed in Madras. Since Aung San Suu Kyi calls it Burma, and she’s the legitimately elected President of the country, I think we should all do so as well. The military junta that usurped power and has ruled the country illegitimately has attempted to cast themselves as good guys, using a supposedly authentic pre-colonial name, which I’m told is based on a misreading of ancient texts. It’s the same old story–attempt to make yourself look good and post-colonial by making up a new “Old” name. Change Congo to Zaire; then change it back. Cambodia becomes Kampuchea, then back to Cambodia. Bombay becomes Mumbai, Madras becomes Chennai, despite the fact that there was no place named Chennai at the spot where the British first landed in Madras.

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