Independent or in-depend-ent?

By : Arlin Tinkerbell

How ironic!
The bomb had just blown up just a month before the Independence Day. Isn’t that pathetic? When we believe that we have lived under secure and no more terrors or colonization, the unexpected thing emerged. It was less than 5 minutes to mess up everything that had been built to ensure the world about the security issue in Indonesia. Many people hurt, not only mentally but also physically.
We do not know to whom they sent the bombs. There were many innocence people there. Perhaps some of them were waiting for their friends or their families, or they just enjoyed having breakfast. Can you imagine as if your father, or your mother or could be anyone that you love was there? You then realized didn’t have a chance to say that you love them or just to apologize for the things you had done in the past. Well, we never know what we’ve already had till it’s gone, right? Count your bless!!! Then, it will never be enough…
Ok, now let’s get back to the Independence Day… What does independence exactly mean? Here, I’m going to underline the topic to the equality of freedom among the gender. So, the independence shall mean as an acknowledgement over superior women so that not only men who can lead a way. It is proven by the last general election. We had Megawati as one of the candidates of the next president. Even she didn’t win the election yet she had already shown to this country that a woman also could get herself into the politic battle.
See…There are many opportunities actually for women if we believe and confidence to ourselves. Nothing is impossible!! If you go traveling in Jakarta by taking Trans Jakarta, you will find that not all the drivers are men. Some are women and they are very stylish! No matter what your occasion is, the style will always come first ;)…
But just like any other understandings, there comes a squabble over the independence of women. Sometimes these wonder women are treated badly whether in their work place or even in their homes. Sexually abused and household violence are the most crime action that they got.
That’s the weakness of the Independence Day! When we have passed the gender issue, it is not followed by the change of condition where women always are at the weak side. Even nowadays the modern women can protect themselves from the criminal doers but women are still women, right? Not all women are blessed by the talent of doing martial art…
In this globalization era, and when Indonesia is going to commemorate its 64th Independence Day, women still haven’t had their freedom of fear completely. Women are still the target of the criminal. In some remote areas in Indonesia, where they still hold on their custom that women are never be the same with men, that women will always be number two in any situations, that men can do anything to their women, that women don’t have to go to school, etc. Well, guys, based on those facts, can we still declare that we have already lived independently? Independence should be felt by all people in this world. No matter what, men or women, young or adult, curly or straight, thin or fat and no matter what color your skin is, black or white… (hehehe.. long live of the king of pop!!!!)
Well, back to the topic, in some cases which for some men whose wives are career women; they will make that condition as a reason to wash hand from their responsibilities as the leader of the family. This will lead to the household violence. So, what should those women do?
Well, there are some organizations that concern to the women’s violence issue. They will hear their moans, and they will protect them. There will be a concealing how to cope with some problems that often be faced by the women in common. Nowadays, people are free to speak their minds, not exception the women. That what independence is all about, right? As women we should more concern about the things that happen to us, we are supposed to be the guardian angel for ourselves. Don’t let anyone hurt you! Since we have rights to live happily and live fearlessly.
So, ladies, in this Independence Day, let’s show to the world that Indonesian women are powerful, unbeatable, reliable, smart, lovable and caring… fight for your dreams cause we are independent women not in-depend-ent. We are all equal. Happy Independence Day, guys!!!