Aung San Suu Kyi Has a Message for the Burmese People

"Can't keep a sistah down."

After spending fifteen of the last twenty-one years under house arrest, Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has a message for her beleaguered people, who have endured rule by a military junta that refused to accept her win in the last democratic elections in 1990: “I’m back, bitches!”

Eleven years ago, she faced a terrible choice: fly to her dying husband’s side in London, or remain in the country whose people’s rights she had spent decades defending.  She stayed in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and when asked about the decision she was forced to make between her husband and her country, the slight 65-year old woman would only cryptically say “Payback’s a motherfucker.”

Leaving the gates of the villa in which she’s been confined for so long, the activist was greeted by throngs of supporters who cheered her appearance.  “I’m very happy to see the people,” she said, barely audible over the chanting. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen you,” adding “God, I’m so horny.”

Despite her popularity, not everyone agrees with the choices she’s made.  Suu Kyi has earned criticism at home among some who are no fans of the regime but believe her desire to score political points by advocating international sanctions against the military government has taken a big toll on impoverished Burmese, a charge to which Suu Kyi replied, “Hate the game, not the player!”

Still, the mood was overwhelmingly one of elation.  “I’m so happy she’s free,” said a 24-year old student who identified himself as Bositt and wore a “We stand with Aung San Suu Kyi” T-shirt. “She’s our leader, our mother. I’ve been waiting since 9 a.m. for this, but it’s more than worth it.  I would totally hit that.”