No Look Pass is a film about one girl’s search into adulthood to find a sense of belonging in the world. Through basketball, Emily Tay finds peace and herself. Melissa Johnson, the director and producer of the film, No Look Pass initially went to Harvard to create a film on the basketball coach at Harvard, but shifted her storyline when she saw Tay play. Instantly, Tay’s talent and more specifically her story captivated Johnson and her film crew. Johnson says, “Emily Tay is a first generation immigrant from China Town, Los Angeles. She was never supposed to play basketball coming from Burma. Her folks wanted to keep her at home and wanted to keep her from the gangs in Chinatown. Finally she wore them down. She watched Allen Iverson’s tape until she mastered his move. As far as I know she is the best basketball woman Asian player in Los Angeles.”
While the film has humor, there is also tension in the film between Tay and her parents. Although, Tay sometimes clashes with her parents due to cultural values, she still attributes a lot of her success to her parents who came to the US for better opportunities for their children. Tay is now in Germany, playing pro basketball, and she talks to us via Skype about her struggle assessing to the different cultures. Tay states, ” I would be living a completely different life if my parents lived in Burma. They came to America with very little money and came to the US with the idea of the American dream and they use that as motivation. They sacrificed so much- sacrificed everything for my brother and me to go to Marlborough highschool and college.”
After the sacrifices of putting their children in one of the most expensive high schools in the US, one of the family’s biggest accomplishments was seeing Tay graduate from Harvard University, allegedly the most prestigious college in the United States. Emily’s dad was in tears as he talks about his daughter’s graduation at Harvard, “ When I was in Burma, I knew of one school in America- and that was Harvard. Now to see my daughter graduate from Harvard University, is a dream come true.”
Even after all of her hard work, Emily said she didn’t feel like she fit in at Harvard-coming from a different background than her classmates. She did what she could do to make extra cash even if it meant cleaning toilets. Tay remembers her life at Harvard, ” I felt a lot of pressure. It was definitely the most stressful time in my life, and I felt pressured to be successful. And to be around people who were brilliant and super rich, it was a tough environment to be around, especially coming from my background and having immigrant parents and not be as wealthy as everyone else. It was definitely tough.”
Basketball was her escapism to not just fin in but to just be herself and let go of all the other pressures. Tay recalls, “Basketball has done everything for me. It’s given me everything in my life- the opportunities to go to great schools- to travel the world and to live in Germany, and to live a very comfortable life. It’s been a really true gift for me.”
Emily’s story conveys the lives of many immigrant families who have the opportunity to come to America and see the clash of cultures between children and the parents- with the barriers of communication. The film captures the pursuit of the American dream, of cultural values and finding oneself, and how basketball is used as a tool to escape.
Producer :Kaye Lin
Reporters: Lwin Nyein Chan and Kaye Lin
Translator: Lwin Nyein Chan
Videography: Melissa Johnson/ “No Look Pass” the movie
VOA correspondent, U Kyaw Zan Tha met with US Special Envoy to Burma, Derek Mitchell for the second time, and they discussed the importance of the upcoming by-elections on April 1st, the United States’ position on sanctions now as well as after the elections, the road to reform and the opportunities that lay ahead for the people of Burma. Mitchell says that the US is going to be, ” assisting reform and assisting the movement from the privilege of the few to the benefit of the many.”
VOA Burmese Service’s correspondent, U Kyaw Zan Tha sits down with US Envoy to Burma, Derek Mitchell at the US State department and discusses the up coming by elections in Burma as well as the future of democratic reforms in the country.
( All photos belong to AP images.)
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Derek Mitchell Interview:
VOA: Ambassador, first of all, I would like to ask you, “ What would your focus be for this trip to Burma?”
DM: Well, I’ve taken five trips now since I’ve gone to Burma. February was the first month I had not been to Burma since I’ve taken this job. Things move quickly there, and I think it’s important for me to be there and to see the developments on the ground and also to get outside of not just Rangoon and Naypyidaw, but to Mandalay and touch base with people. I’ll be spending two days in Naypyidaw. I’ll have a number of meetings there with senior officials, and as things progress, we have more and more to talk about the way forward- and how the United States can be partners in the reform process.
VOA: What are the particular issues that you are focusing on? Elections?
DM: The elections are obviously very important, given that these by-elections, although have a limited amount of seats, are a test to the sincerity and the commitment to the democratic process that I hear, every time I go back to Burma from the leadership. How they hold these elections if they are truly free and fair- there is a level playing field, if there is no intimidation and the counting and the rest go rather smoothly. That says a lot, and I think it sends a very important signal not just to the United States but to Europe and to the rest of the world, and most importantly to the Burmese people that there is something new and different going on in the country.
VOA: And what can we expect, if the elections goes free and fair and there is no intimidation as you said. What sort of rewards is the Burmese government (stops)?
DM: Well, as I say we are partners in the reform process if there is that kind of commitment shown in this election period to that reform in the democratic sense in the political environment. We certainly will be responding. I can’t tell you exactly what we will be doing, but it’s no secret that we have been thinking carefully of how we can contribute to the reform process. There are things that we’ve been doing that are getting in the way of reform- some restrictions we have in place. They are actually not helping the people of Burma to help take steps forward. I think that if we see the kinds of elections that are free and fair then we will be taking steps appropriate in that regard.
VOA: Yes, I want to emphasize that fact. How important is the elections in lifting sanctions?
DM: Well I wouldn’t put a percentage on it. We have seen a continuing momentum toward reform, but this is really a substantial moment. This is a defining moment for democratic development in the country. There are other issues of course that need to be addressed inside the country. In terms of democracy, this is a very important moment; and we will- I can’t say exactly what we will and what we will not do, but we will be responding as appropriate.
VOA: Some people are saying that it is very difficult to make this elections free and fair, because they ( the government) have already occupied the majority of the seats in parliament and 12 percent the military. ( 12 percent of seats in parliament have been given to the military.) People say that the government wants to make this (election) a showcase to the international community- (calling it a) free and fair elections. What is your comment on this?
DM: Well, from my observation, I’m not sure the USDP is taking this as simply as an election that is a foregone conclusion of any kind, or the NLD or any one else- the NDF – they are all being very serious. All the different parties that are engaged- this is an opportunity for them to organize themselves, to think harder about their platforms, to think about what they would do to represent the interest of the people. And I think free and fair elections can be demonstrated anyway. It strengthens the muscle for future elections. It sets a tone for the future – the way a society is going to organize itself. So I won’t dismiss this, and I think this is a very important signal to send, even though we will have certain questions going forward- about the process over time- leading to 2015 and etc. But “ NO”, I think if this is held in a free and fair manner, it will be a substantial statement.
VOA: And a part from these elections, what are you going to concentrate on this trip?
DM: Well, we always have our issues that we’re concerned about. We’re concerned about the process of the ethnic areas, the status of the various ceasefires, and political dialogue process that we’d like to see established that’d be useful for the national reconciliation of the country. We’re very concerned about humanitarian access- there are internally displaced peoples- innocent civilians that are left in the crossfires of conflict. The international community is ready and willing and able to help. And we want to see if we can get more access in the various areas of Burma. We are still concerned about the human rights abuses that go on in these areas- the issue of political prisoners- there are still some numbers imprisoned because of their beliefs -because of political activities. But it’s a good dialogue, and we want to also show our support. We want to tell the leadership and tell others that we’re interested in being partners- that we have done a lot- give them a sense of atmosphere in Washington. Give them a sense of the road map looking forward on what’s possible if we can continue to see progress.
VOA: So if they allow, would your government try to go to the humanitarian, native areas? Your government will go to that area, and help solve those problems, on this trip?
DM: Well, we’re hoping simply to have a discussion- to see if there’s a way if we can gain more access for the United Nations and for other organizations to provide aid for those who are in need. These are the government’s own people that are suffering. We’re not taking a position of right or wrong on this situation.
VOA: The United Nations is an international community- what is your government’s, the United States’ position?
DM: Yes, we are also looking for opportunities to provide more assistance- absolutely – in the ability to both provide it financially but also in human terms through NGOs or our personnel to assist those people in need. Again, I think this is an issue of great importance. I think the ICRC committee’s or the red cross’s access is also very important to the international community to enable people to get aid when they need it.
VOA: How about the diplomatic relations with Burma? Full fledged diplomatic relations with Burma? You have an extraordinary and plenipotentiary position, but when is a permanent ambassador going to be appointed in Burma? How soon will that happen?
DM: That’s in process. It takes some time in our system for things to work out, and that process is on going. We hope to have an announcement in the next several weeks. Months at most to send an ambassador. We have an embassy there, but we want to send an ambassador to raise a level of our diplomatic representation.
VOA: Have both sides agreed to that?
DM: Yes, we’ve agreed that. We announced that after the release of political prisoners in January, our President and Secretary of State stated that we will raise our senior level of diplomatic representation to ambassador so that is in process. I think on the Burmese side, they’re thinking of who they want to send here, and we haven’t gotten any word on that.
VOA: How about the Burmese government? Are they still using Burmese ( calling the country “ Burma”)? When are they going to change to “ Myanmar”?
DM: Yes, we’ll see when there is a discussion among the people of the country on what the right word and name of the country ought to be. We’ll take that step by step, but we know that the government is very sensitive at this point, and we try to be sensitive to them on this, but we have no change in policy at this moment.
VOA: And how strong do you feel about the hardliners in Naypyidaw? People are saying that there are hardliners and liberals ( in parliament).
DM: Well, I’ll tell you. We hear this. We see this from people that are observers. We hear consistently from the government that there are now hardliners and soft liners. Everyone’s on board. We have discussions. We have debates. We’re going to watch their actions. We’re not going to play factions. We’re not going to play individuals. We’ve been listening to what the President says, and he says encouraging things, and he’s taken some courageous actions. I truly believe he’s being courageous with his commitment. I believe the release of the prisoners in January, although we are concerned of the fact that they are not unconditionally released- that is important to us, the fact that many individuals who are leaders of this democratic movement are out and able to speak. We are watching that closely, and we are not going to pick sides who is with whom. We just hope the government continues its momentum of reforms, and if it does, it’s a win-win for everybody. The bottom line is this is one of the best stories we’ve seen in the world right now. The story of Burma is one of the best stories. It’s going, and we want to see that continue. I think it’s in the interest of the leadership as well as the people at large that the momentum continues and it broadens.
VOA: My last question is, if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is elected, what sort of scenarios should we expect to see in Burma?
DM: We don’t look at hypotheticals, and we don’t know. We think that if there are free and fair elections that are acceptable to the people of Burma, it’s a wonderful signal. If it continues to open up the society to reach out to the ethnic communities in good faith and both sides come to the table in good faith and deal with the very difficult deep divisions, and there is a political dialogue. If there is an access to humanitarian assistance to people in need, things like that, I think it’s good for Burma and good for the world to see. That is what we expect to see after the elections.
Zin Mar Aung won the International Women Honor Award by the US State Department for her role in promoting the role of women in politics, leading the efforts of several NGOs to promote this work and to help secure a democratic future in Burma.
We set up a 2 camera shot to interview Zin Mar Aung right before she accepted her award at the State Department. The most difficult part of the shoot was getting the hotel to agree to give us permission to film the interview. They were great sports and so was Ms. Zin Mar Aung.
Interview with Ma Zin Mar Aung: Transcript in English:
VOA’s Khin Myo Thet:You won the International Women of Courage Award from the US Secretary of State. Why do you think they chose you for the award?
Zin Mar Aung :They (the award committee) told me that I was considered for the award as I was a political prisoner, who had endured 11 years in jail, and today I still continue to be involved in political movements- promoting democracy, after being released. In addition, I promoted the involvement of women in politics. I also worked with other organizations when promoting the rights of minority groups and peace in Kachin area. They told me that is why I had received the award.
VOA: You’ve endured an 11 year prison sentence. Why were you imprisoned?
ZMA:It’s a simple answer. I took part in the 1996-1998 students’ movements. We distributed pamphlets, calling on the government to allow us to organize a student union. In 1998, the National League of Democracy ( Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s party- the opposition party of Burma) called on the government to call an assembly within 60 days. We distributed the letters and poems, supporting the NLD. That’s why I was imprisoned.
VOA: What is your life like as a woman political prisoner?
ZMA: It’s like other men and women political prisoners in Burma. I was one of them. The difference is long term and short term. It’s clear how I spent my days in the prison. I wasn’t the only one. There are many political prisoners in Burma. We were detained not because of acting in misconducts but because of doing the right things we should do for our country. I wasn’t the only one imprisoned for this way. I did the right thing and my family also supports what I’m doing. Thinking of all those conditions, I spent my days in the prison.
VOA:11 years in prison isn’t a short term experience, it’s a long sentence. You were imprisoned because of your political movement. Now after being released, you continue to work on politics? Can you tell me why?
ZMA: Those 11 years in prison made me continue to work on politics. 11 years was unfair for me. So much of our country suffers for detaining good people in the prisons. Our country will not develop until this system exists. So, our country must have democracy to stop this system. We need to have a democratic government and a democratic society. We have a lot to work on.
VOA: What do you think of the role of women in a political movement? How important are women in a political movement?
ZMA: It’s clear. Each sector where the women from more than half of the world’s population involve, each sector will develop. The more involved women are, the more developed each sector will be. Hence, the quality of women is important. The lower quality the women have, the level of the economic, health and politics of the respective country will also be lower.
VOA: What would be your plan after returning to Burma?
ZMA: I’ll visit Kachin State. I’ll go there with small organizations in our network. I want to give them the message that I mentioned above. In addition, I’ll open the role of women involved in politics. I’ll continue to work on education foundations that we already have.
VOA: So, there are many things that you’ll continue to work on. How do you feel being awarded the International Women of Courage?
ZMA: Actually, it’s a coincidence. It happened after they’ve met me in Burma. There are many pro-democracy activists like me. Fortunately, I could come here and was awarded. So, I have more responsibilities.
VOA: Thank you so much for joining us Ma Zin Mar Aung.
Thousands of ethnics flee Burma also known as Myanmar to escape persecution. They seek refuge in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and India. 100,000 ethnic refugees from Burma live in the Mizoram state of India. The Chins are constantly persecuted and run to their neighboring countries to seek refugee status, but find themselves being shunned by their new society as well.
Voice of America turned 70 years old on February 1st 2012, and VOA held a big celebration in honor of all the colleagues and memories that have made VOA as great as it is today. Representatives from 43 language services dressed up on the day to greet guests, governors, ambassadors and etc. to attend our event. VOA Burmese service dressed up in our traditional attire and joined the rest of our colleagues.
We also had four special guests who had sent videos to mark the broadcast agency’s 70th birthday. They need no introduction.
VOA Burmese Blog 
