Chicago – Burmese-born American mixed martial artist of ethnic Kachin descent, nicked named “Burmese Python”, said to one of his Rohingya fans, “We are one.”
He expressed this solidarity in response to the fan’s support, who told the former that he and his friends are proud of the Burmese Python.
He posted this on his Facebook page, Aung La Nsang(Burmese Python) with a photo with the fan who unexpectedly met and served N Sang at Romano’s Macaroni Grill, O’Hare Intl Airport of Chicago, where he works, while N Sang was leaving for South Dakota for hand surgery.
N Sang writes “I’m in Chicago Airport this morning because I’m flying to South Dakota for my hand surgery and I walked into a restaurant and my server is a Rohingya from Myanmar. And he told me him and his friends are so proud of me. I’m so happy to have met this young man and I wish him nothing but happiness and success. #weareone”
Impressed by the random meeting of the Burmese Python, the Rohingya fan called Faisal A. Parvez, a server Romano’s Macaroni Grill, he also posted with same photo “Guys! Let’s guess!! who is this gentleman on my left?”
But mentioning of the term ‘Rohingya’ sparked disagreement among some followers of the page and shortly after the posting Sang edited the post to omit the term, perhaps, to avoid further controversy, as follows:
“I’m in Chicago Airport this morning because I’m flying to South Dakota for my hand surgery and I walked into a restaurant and my server from Myanmar. And he told me him and his friends are so proud of me. I’m so happy to have met this young man and I wish him nothing but happiness and success. #weareone”
Consequently, many people in the page criticized the act, while others considered his situation as an excuse acknowledging and praising the hero’s initial democratic attitude and mindset and humbleness.
Peter Kyaw commented “I’m proud of you too. But you shouldn’t remove the word of “Rohingya” in your post that you just mentioned at first.” Kyaw is right as it is a question of authenticity.
Later on, the post transformed into a topic of debate between supporters and opposers of Rohingya.
Michael Arez, a Rohingya well-wisher and supporter, said “Of course bro, we entire Rohingya proud of you for having such a great fighter like you in our country🇲🇲. You are our pride, honour, always make us proud and gratify us by your phenomenal achievements. Thanks bro for recognizing us with our identity. We are one. 💪 Best of luck for upcoming match. #BurmesePython.”
Yuna Kyaw said “There are no Rohingya in Myanmar. We never accept them as one of us. You really shouldn’t say that.Some people might misunderstood you. But anyway I love you and you are my hero brother❤”
Aung Kyaw Moe said “Racism has to be end bro. Please show moral leadership. The self identity is a very basic human right.”
Zin Yaw said “You said the word Rohingya is very sensitive word in myanmar. So please be carefully.”
Many racist commentators, who don’t understand English and rely on FB automatic translation, look happy with the post as it mistranslated the prays included in the post as ‘curse’ in Burmese.
Aung La N Sang, according to his personal and professional website, started training Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) while studying at Andrew’s University. He continued training and competing as he completed my studies in Agriculture and earned my Bachelors of Science Degree. He became a professional MMA fighter on May, 21, 2005. Since then, He has worked and studied MMA for thirteen years. He is now a two division, World Champion in ONE Championship, holding titles in the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions.
Aung La N Sang can feel pains of Rohingya more than those negative commentators as he belongs to Kachin, one of the minorities of Myanmar long-discriminated against and long-persecuted by Bamar majority.
Faisal A. Parvez is a Rohingya expelled from his native country like many other Kachin people, and resettled in United States, where he and N Sang enjoy the human rights fully and equally, but not in Myanmar.
Not only Parvez but also every Rohingya love and support the Burmese Python, and wish him wellness, as their comments in the post show.